The entrepreneur behind a soon to open gym in Hull says the venue could be among the country’s best following years of planning and investment. Khalid Saeed, 40, is preparing to open Regyment on Hull’s Hessle Road.
The enormous 24,000 sqft facility is based in the historic former Langham Theatre which dates back to the early 1930s and closed as a cinema in 1961. Mr Saeed, who has a background in property through his family’s business, has owned the property for about 15 years and has now invested a “substantial” sum in bringing about its new purpose.
In its day, the Langham was state-of-the-art cinema and having sought out the original plans for the building, Mr Saeed has carefully planned the new gym to retain the one surviving feature from its heyday – a 60ft diameter dome in its centre. Restoration work has brought the dome back to a close approximation of its former glory.
And beneath, the gym itself boasts an array of carefully chosen equipment including kit used by body building icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr Saeed says he is confident the venue is among the biggest and best in the UK, if not Europe.
He said: “The history of the building really appealed to me. Cinemas served their community in the same way that gyms are now playing that role.
“Many gyms are in industrial type units and we thought we could create a really cool gym in a really cool building – harking back to all those years ago. Having been to a few trade shows and spoken to suppliers I thought I had to do the building justice.
“It had properly upholstered velvet seating for example, so I thought I should do something with some of the bigger and more prestigious gym brands.”
As a result, Regyment features the UK’s first ELEIKO Certified Strength Zone – a leading brand in the world of fitness and an official partner of the Olympics weight lifting competition, as well as an official provider to many other worldwide powerlifting competitions. That is in addition to custom made machines from German manufacturer gym80, and other prestigious names.
“We’ve got a fantastic facility,” said Mr Saeed. “I feel it’s a show stopper and hand on heart, it’s probably one of the best gyms in the country, if not in Europe and beyond.
“Not many gyms can boast a 95-year history, a story that goes back so long and we’re fortunate enough to be able to shout about it.”
Work is under way to open Regyment on September 21, with four trainers currently on board along with a gym manager and a number of coaches also employed. Recruitment of more coaches is likely beyond the opening and as memberships rack up.
There are also plans for a personal trainer academy to be based at the Hessle Road site for those interested in breaking into the fitness industry. Taster sessions are available for prospective members to try out the facilities.
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