HersChel girls School

Project

Founded in 1922, Herschel Girls School is an independent Anglican school for girls situated in Claremont, Cape Town. The school offers quality education from grade 000 to grade 12, with sports development and physical education being central components of their holistic approach.

The school approached us to design a multi-functional facility for sports development and sports education at the school. The new fitness centre had to speak to the needs of all learners and align with their exercise culture and capabilities.

The floorspace allocated for the new gym was limited. Our consultants worked closely with the Head of Sport to overcome spatial constraints and establish a well-rounded sports centre to offer all learners at the school the benefits of functional training exercises.

Solution

In order to make the most of the available space, we needed to strike a balance between the right equipment and storage solutions. Equipment pieces were carefully selected based on versatility, space-saving attributes and function, in order to complement the  broader solution.

For flooring, we recommended high-density AlphaState 15mm rubber flooring and artificial turf. Both options offer durable training surfaces, noise reduction whilst protecting the equipment from drops.

The wall-mounted AlphaState rig packs a lot of punch in this small space. It features three dedicated squat stations, supported by barbells, weight plates and exercise benches that work well in group-training contexts. The rigs’ functionality is extended through rig attachments, including a rig pulley system, landmine sleeves and gymnastics rings, while rubber bands also easily attach for stretching or resistance training.

A host of functional accessories contribute to multi-dimensional programming for strength, power and mobility. Wrapped plyometric boxes, gym balls, dumbbells, kettlebells, GHD’s, aerobic steps, rubber bands and Yoga mats are neatly stored on the periphery of the space. Two customised AlphaState storage units offer a robust shelving system for balls, dumbbells and kettlebells, while other wall-mounted storage units ensure barbells, gym balls and weight plates do not get in the way.

For cardio, we included Concept 2 SkiErgs and Indoor Rowers. These robust conditioning tools are easy to move and store. They do not rely on electricity to run and offer superior conditioning capabilities for both steady-state cardio and functional fitness programming.

The gym at Herschel is testament to the fact that a multi-dimensional, high-performance facility does not require a large amount of space or capital. Success rests on understanding the training requirements, choosing the right family of multi-functional equipment and striking a balance between form and functionality through creative storage solutions.

Equipment Highlights

ALPHASTATE RIG

The AlphaState wall-mounted rig offers a modular, scalable solution to maximise the floor space, especially in smaller facilities. Easy-to-attach accessories such as GHDs, dip horns, pulleys, landmine sleeves, gymnastics rings and jammer attachments, ensures a variety of training exercises are available at all times.

Alphastate wrapped plyometric box

The AlphaState wrapped plyo has a soft exterior, offering a safer alternative to traditional wooden plyo boxes. The padding offers peace of mind when conducting plyometric exercises, so even when fatigue sets in, your limbs are protected from scrapes and bruises.

alphastate high-density rubber flooring

AlphaState high-density rubber flooring has quickly become the most popular flooring solution for fitness facilities across South Africa. Featuring anti-static, anti-slip, acoustically insulated and shock absorbent properties, these rubber flooring tiles are of excellent quality and offer great value for money.

concept 2 skierg

The Concept 2 SkiErg helps build strength and endurance using the poling motions integral to the sport of Nordic skiing, but you don’t need to be a skier to benefit from the terrific low impact and full-body exercise.

alphastate rig storage unit

Storage is essential for optimising space in your fitness facility. AlphaState offers a customisable, modular storage solution that scales according to your needs.

Using the same robust components as the AlphaState Fitness Rig, you are able to customise your own storage hub by combining 2 x 3m uprights with your choice of kettlebell, dumbbell or ball shelving, that seamlessly attaches to the uprights.