Waterlooville's Horizon Leisure Centre reveals its new-look gym after £500,000 refurbishment

VIPs, local sporting legends and Horizon Leisure customers gathered to celebrate the reopening of Waterlooville Leisure Centre’s gym after its £500,000 refurbishment.

Former Team GB Olympic swimmer Katy Sexton MBE took centre stage to cut the opening ribbon.

Beyond the formal proceedings, the launch featured plenty of entertainment on the gym floor. Horizon Leisure staff got into the spirit of the day by going head-to-head in a gym challenge, alongside interactive gym floor taster classes that gave customers a look at the upgraded space.

Funded exclusively by the charitable leisure trust, this major upgrade includes new cardio equipment on the mid floor, a full-strength upgrade on the ground floor and a refreshed free weights area with new racks and layout. There is also a new 10-metre sprint track on the top floor along with self-powered cardio and functional equipment, and a dedicated glute training zone.

The new equipment from Horizon Leisure’s wellness partner, Pulse Fitness, includes modern low-impact elevation treadmills, curved slat treadmills, stepmills and air bikes, pin-selected strength machines, plate-loaded weight machines (such as hack squats and hip thrusts), Olympic benches and multiple half racks. The gym also has a functional rig, prowler sleds and plyo boxes.

Horizon Leisure CEO Mike Lyons said: “We had a great day celebrating the new gym with our local community, staff and special guests. We are proud of what we have achieved with the refurbishment and the positive impact it will have on our customers.

“The upgrade is really comprehensive; in addition to the new equipment the refreshed atmospheric lighting, fresh décor and modern flooring make the space feel welcoming and on-trend. As a charity, our goal is to inspire healthier, happier lives, and that starts with creating spaces people love to be in.”