Overview
Arden Academy, a leading secondary school and sixth form in Solihull, was looking to establish a dedicated, modern strength and conditioning space to elevate its PE curriculum and athletic support.
The Project
With no existing dedicated gym room available on site, the challenge was clear: transform an underutilised sports hall storage cupboard into a fully functional, high-performance training facility.
Arden Academy selected Perform Better due to our proven track record in the education sector and our collaborative approach to spatial design and financial planning. Rather than taking a "one-size-fits-all" approach, Perform Better worked closely alongside the school's lead contacts to maximise every square meter of the former storage area.
To make the redevelopment financially viable and manageable for the school's budget cycles, Perform Better proposed a strategic, 3-phase rollout plan.
Phase 1: Subfloor & Protective Surfacing:
Laying high-impact 20mm rubber flooring tiles to establish safe acoustics, durability, and a clean baseline visual.
Phase 2: Core Strength & Free Weights:
Outfitting the space with versatile squat stands, bars, discs, and dumbbells for fundamental S&C programming.
Phase 3: High-Performance Conditioning:
Integrating top-tier ergometer cardio units, including Concept2 SkiErgs and Wattbikes, for comprehensive conditioning.
By structuring the installation into manageable phases, Perform Better enabled Arden Academy to achieve a elite-grade facility without compromising on equipment quality or exceeding budget constraints.
Equipment Installed:
- 20mm High-Density Rubber Gym Tiles
- Standalone Performance Squat Stands
- Smart Storage Systems
- Olympic Bars
- Rubber Bumper Discs
- Urethane Dumbbells
- Concept2 SkiErgs
- Wattbike Trainers
