An Introduction to the Catalyst Gym

Move More September is back! To kick off the month, this blog focuses on the Catalyst Gym, our on-campus training and wellness space built for the Catalyst Community.

The Catalyst Gym is a functional training space for all fitness levels and membership is available for all Catalyst Community members.

The gym includes:

3 bay racks and 6 barbells for lifting (3 x 15kg barbells + 3 x 20kg barbells)
Agility turfed area for group classes and sled push/pull
2 wall mounted pull up bars with suspension training systems (TRX) attached
Multiple machines including ski, Peloton with membership access, assault runner treadmills, assault (air) bike, plus bike and rower
Full kettlebell range from 6kg – 24kg + full dumbbell set from 2.5kg – 32kg
Dual adjustable pulley machine with attachments, plus plyo boxes, resistance bands, and yoga mats

The Catalyst Gym also has onsite changing rooms, lockers, and shower facilities, so it’s perfect for workouts before and after your working day.

Join the Catalyst Gym

Gym Induction

Once you join the Catalyst Gym, you’ll receive an induction from Coach Aisling, who leads fitness classes at the Catalyst Gym every Tuesday and Thursday.

Whether you are an experienced gym user or a newcomer, the induction is for everyone. In the induction, you’ll receive a tour around the gym + you will get to use the equipment to ensure you are using the machines safely and correctly.

In the induction, you will also learn how to properly move on some bodyweight and resistance-based movements such as squats, deadlifts, presses, and lunges. The gym induction is designed to help you move better to avoid injuries and help you feel comfortable in the gym.

Pilates Classes

For Move More September, we’re introducing Pilates Classes with Allyn Somerville.

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on the release of tension and the use of the correct muscles in the correct way to allow free movement, to improve posture, balance and to create a girdle of strength around the torse. In doing so the body becomes longer, leaner and more toned.

Pilates exercises help rebalance the muscles around the joints and improve general fitness and well-being.

Classes are on every Wednesday at lunchtime starting on 11th Sept – 2nd Oct. Classes can only be booked via TeamUp.

Instructor-led Fitness Classes

If you are a member of the Catalyst Gym, you can access fitness classes completely free of charge. The Catalyst Gym offers instructor-led PT classes with Coach Aisling. Classes can only be booked via TeamUp.

Tuesday

4.30pm – 5.15pm: Strength & conditioning
5.30pm – 6.15pm: Cardio & core

Thursday

4.30pm – 5.15pm: Strength
5.30pm – 6.15pm: Strength & conditioning

Types of classes

Strength & conditioning
4.30pm Tuesday + 5.30pm Thursday

This class is focused on more functional training where we focus on full-body training through strength, power, agility, and fitness. You will have a mixture of strength training where we will focus on movement quality, using barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells to build strength. We also get the heart rate up high with some interval training using cardio machines, sled pushes, lightweight movements, or bodyweight movements.

Cardio and core
5.30pm Tuesday

This class is more endurance-based; we aim to keep the heart rate high for a longer period of time to improve fitness and stamina through cardio machines, sled pushes, and bodyweight movements. Followed by core strengthening exercises.

Strength class
4.30pm Thursday

This class is to build strength in the full body, we will focus on compound movements, aiming to work more than one muscle group including different varieties of squats, deadlifts, presses, lunges + more. This class will be a mix of weights using barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells along with bodyweight movements.

Who are the gym classes for?

The gym classes are for everyone; whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced gym goer, they are designed so that each individual gets the most out of their session and pushes each person to the best of their abilities.

The strength and conditioning classes are great for anyone who loves a mix of strength and cardio as you have a little bit of everything in the class.

The cardio class is great for anyone who loves to sweat and burn calories but is also extremely good for building fitness, whilst the strength class is perfect for building muscle.

The classes are all led by Coach Aisling who will welcome you into each class and make sure that each person is moving safely and using the correct weight.

Workout of the Week

Strength
Back squat or Goblet squat
4×10 reps | Focus on maintaining good technqiue whilst challenging yourself each set on the weight

Weekly Challenge: How fast can you go!?
300M row

Conditioning
21 calorie row
21 DB snatch (alternating arms)
21 Burpees
15 calorie row
15 DB snatch (alternating arms)
15 Burpees
9 calorie row
9 DB snatch (alternating arms)
9 Burpees

Conditioning notes:

Manage your breathing—control it during the row, so you’re ready for the snatches and burpees.
Break up the DB snatches into manageable sets if needed, but keep moving.
Burpees can be a mental challenge—try to stay steady and avoid unnecessary pauses.

Catalyst Community Challenge

Get involved with our community-wide fitness challenges as part of Move More September and win free limited-edition gym merch.

Join our Strava Catalyst Community club
Record your exercise activities – record anything from a walk to your gym class and everything in between
You’ll see your activity appear on ‘Recent Activity’ and your activities will be recorded on our leaderboard
At the end of Move More September, we’ll be doing a random prize allocation for members who stand out to us

Check out our Workout of the Week, get involved with the Catalyst Community Challenge, and join the Catalyst Gym via our website.