Sport students are set to benefit from an exciting new fitness space following the opening of a brand-new gym inside the College’s new Ambition Building.
The modern space has been designed to support learning, training and performance, helping Sport students develop practical skills in strength and conditioning, fitness instruction and sports performance.
Featuring air conditioning, padded flooring and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, the gym creates a comfortable and professional environment for students to train in throughout the year.
The facility includes a wide range of equipment, from cardio machines and free weights to functional training tools and resistance equipment.
Here’s a closer look at some of the equipment available and how students can use it as part of their learning experience.
Air Bike
What muscles does it target?
The air bike works the legs, arms, shoulders and core, making it a full-body cardio workout.
Why is it useful?
It helps improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance and stamina while also increasing calorie burn through high-intensity training.
How is it used?
Students pedal while simultaneously pushing and pulling the moving handlebars, allowing them to control the intensity of the workout through speed and effort.
Treadmill
What muscles does it target?
The treadmill mainly targets the legs and glutes while also engaging the core during walking, jogging or running.
Why is it useful?
It helps to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance while allowing students to safely practice different training methods such as interval running and incline training.
How is it used?
Students can walk, jog or run at different speeds and inclines depending on their fitness goals or training plans.
Rowing Machine
What muscles does it target?
The rowing machine works the legs, back, shoulders, arms and core.
Why is it useful?
It provides a low-impact, full-body workout that helps improve strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
How is it used?
Students pull the handles downward in a skiing motion while engaging the core and lower body for stability and control.
Smith Machine
What muscles does it target?
The smith machine can target multiple muscle groups including the chest, shoulders, legs, glutes and back depending on the exercise performed.
Why is it useful?
It allows students to safely perform strength-training exercises with added support and stability, making it ideal for learning correct lifting techniques.
How is it used?
Students use the guided barbell system to perform exercises such as squats, bench presses and shoulder presses.
Dumbbells and Kettlebells
What muscles do they target?
Free weights can be used to target almost every muscle group, including arms, shoulders, chest, legs and core.
Why are they useful?
They help build strength, coordination and balance while encouraging functional movement and a controlled exercise technique.
How are they used?
Students perform a range of exercises including lunges, presses, curls, squats and swings using different weights depending on ability and goals.
Medicine Balls
What muscles do they target?
Medicine balls mainly target the core, arms and legs.
Why are they useful?
They help improve power, coordination, balance and explosive movement, making them ideal for sports-specific training.
How are they used?
Students can use them for throws, twists, slams and partner exercises during fitness sessions and conditional drills.
The gym has been designed to support a range of activities, giving our Sport students the opportunity to put theory into practice while building confidence in a real-life fitness setting.
Whether students are learning about fitness instruction, sports performance, strength and conditioning or personal training, the new facility provides an engaging space to enhance their studies and prepare for future careers in the sport and fitness industry.
The opening of the gym marks another exciting investment into facilities at the College, helping ensure students have access to modern spaces and equipment that reflect current industry standards.
Prospective students interested in studying a Level 2 Diploma in Sports Coaching at EKC Folkestone College will now be able to train and learn using the new gym as part of their course experience.
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