The new Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) offering, which will also double up as a top quality dance fitness studio, features 24 top-of- the-range Life Fitness Spin Bikes with an exciting colour coded system to maximise output – a virtual indoor cycling system that allows first timers and experienced spinners alike to experience world level classes with and without an instructor.
Apart from being fully immersive, the sessions at the Newbury Lane centre will also be fully inclusive with wheelchair accessible features provided too.
Ash Rai, CEO of Sandwell Leisure Trust, says: “This innovative technology puts Portway a step ahead of its competitors and with over 20 additional fitness classes each week and flexibility in attracting additional bookings to the centre, this provides further opportunities to grow our membership base. The project has pulled together all of the stakeholders within the centre, including Adult Services, the Local Authority and Sandwell Liftco, who have provided both financial and technical support to ensure the scheme is delivered within budget and on time, presenting excellent value for money for the Leisure Trust.”
Cabinet Member for Leisure Cllr Paul Moore commented: “I’m delighted to see this new facility opening at Portway Lifestyle Centre. It provides yet another fantastic opportunity for residents to get active and healthy within a first-rate facility. Portway has gained national and international recognition for its innovative and inclusive approach and I’m particularly pleased that this ethos will continue with the spin studio.”
This latest facility at Portway Lifestyle Centre is called ‘The Wall’ because management wanted to recognise and remember the room’s previous use as an indoor climbing wall, which closed in September 2016 after becoming unsustainable. Extensive customer and local research confirmed that a spin/dance studio was the preferred new option.
The indoor cycling experience at Portway follows recent and similar spin facilities being introduced at three other SLT centres - Haden Hill Leisure Centre on Barrs Road, Cradley Heath, Wednesbury Leisure Centre on High Bullen and Smethwick Swimming Centre on Thimblemill Road.
