The ultimate school gym

“We also recognise the important role physical activity plays in supporting confidence, resilience, mental wellbeing and academic performance,” he says. “One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing students grow in confidence, develop training independence and begin asking deeper questions about how to get the most out of their training and recovery.” Ms Bull says the school therefore wanted to create a contemporary training environment that reflected the quality of Westbourne’s physical education, sporting and wellbeing programs. 

“As student interest in athletic development continues to grow, we recognised the need for a facility that could safely accommodate larger groups while providing access to high-quality equipment," she says. "We also wanted a space that would allow us to better educate students about movement competency, injury prevention, athletic development, and lifelong fitness habits.” There’s also the added benefit of appealing to families seeking a well-rounded educational experience for their children, says Mr Matthew Healy, Director of Sport at Westbourne.  

“Parents and prospective students are looking for schools that provide outstanding opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, recognising the important role that sport and physical activity play in student development,” he says. “These facilities also support staff wellbeing and contribute to a positive workplace culture. They reflect the value the school places on health, wellbeing and lifelong participation in physical activity, strengthening the experience of the entire school community.” 

Mr Barlow says of the biggest strengths of the upgraded gym is the variety and versatility of the equipment. Whether a student is learning foundational movement patterns such as squatting, hinging, pushing and pulling, or progressing towards more advanced barbell exercises, he says the space caters for many experience levels and training goals. 

“If I had to identify the most-utilised pieces of equipment, it would be the squat racks, cable machines and dumbbells,” he says. “Their versatility allows students to perform a broad range of exercises and progress or regress movements depending on their confidence, competency and individual training goals.” As a result, the facility has become much more than just a gym; it is a space where students challenge themselves, build confidence and develop a strong sense of community. It also provides opportunities to switch off from the pressures of school life and adolescence. 

“A welcoming and supportive training culture has developed within the space, with regular gym users encouraging friends to get involved and participate in sessions together,” Mr Barlow says. “It’s rewarding to witness the way experienced Year 12 students mentor younger students by helping them with technique, form and training advice. It creates a strong sense of community within the gym and allows students to pass on what they have learnt to the next generation of student leaders.” 

For other schools considering a gym refurbishment, she says it’s important to think long-term, and invest in versatile, durable equipment that can accommodate a range of ages, abilities, and program types. It’s also imperative to work with a provider who understands the education sector, noting that Iron Edge’s understanding of the nuances between school and commercial facilities had a significant impact on the final outcome. “The end result is a facility that not only looks impressive,” Ms Bull says, “but genuinely enhances the learning and training experience for our students.”