Scotland’s 'first immersive studio' opens as part of £1.2m leisure centre development

Falkirk Community Trust has launched an immersive indoor cycling studio as part of a £1.2m redevelopment of the Mariner Leisure Centre in the town.

The trust, which operates leisure services on behalf of Falkirk Council, appointed development specialist Alliance Leisure to deliver the project under the UK Leisure Framework.

The first floor of the centre has been redeveloped and now features what is said to be Scotland's first fully immersive workout environment, complete with a cinema-size screen measuring 10m in span.

The space will offer riders the Les Mills TRIP cycling workout.

The redevelopment work has seen the gym almost double in size to 292sq m, with more than 65 stations, including a Queenax functional training rig from Precor, a sprint track, free weights, and two Keiser M7i wheelchair-accessible total body trainers.

There is also a newly created group fitness studio, which hosts a full timetable of live and virtual classes to complement the offering.

Originally opened in 1985, the centre a little more than 1,000 members when Alliance conducted its initial review of the site in 2019. The company’s latent demand report suggested a membership of more than 1,700 could be achieved by modernising the offer.

A separate review, conducted by Alliance Leisure, identified a need for wellness facilities to meet the needs of those not attracted by a traditional fitness offering.

The development therefore also includes a Shapemaster Hub, equipped with 12 pieces of power-assisted equipment, which is designed for less mobile users, those who suffer from obesity or illness or are undergoing post-operative rehabilitation.

A new office for Falkirk’s physical activity referral programme, Active Forth, will make it easier for the team to help those with more complex health issues to start their fitness journey.

The project has been funded by Falkirk Council and forms part of wider plans to revitalise the leisure offer in the area.

“Modernising and improving the quality of our services, including the introduction of a new immersive cycling studio, expands our relevance into new audiences – those with high expectations and an appetite for new activities close to home," said Maureen Campbell, CEO of Falkirk Community Trust.

"In addition, the new dedicated Shapemaster Hub will help us provide access for less able audiences.”