In conjunction with Life Fitness, Sheffield Hallam University has launched the first of two projects designed to strengthen its position as a leading sports university.

Ranked 20th out of 143 institutions in the British Universities & Colleges Sport rankings (inter-university sporting competition structure) last year, the university is committed to supporting healthy lifestyles and sporting excellence among its students. As such, it is investing more than £2m to upgrade two gyms at its City and Collegiate campuses.

The Club Hallam Health and Fitness Suite at City Campus - which re-opened at the end of July - has been redeveloped to attract more female users. With a 70:30 male to female ratio, the 75-station facility has been equipped by Life Fitness to appeal to both sexes and includes the new Elevation™ Series Engage™ Treadmills with integrated TVs, iPod® connectivity and a Virtual Trainer to encourage users throughout their workout. The Life Fitness Circuit Series, Signature Series and Hammer Strength Motion Technology Selectorised (MTS) Series are also included in the redesigned gym.

In addition, there is a personal training area equipped with a Life Fitness Cable Motion Dual Adjustable Pulley, 95CI upright bike as well as free weight equipment, Swiss balls and medicine balls supplied by Escape Fitness.

Meanwhile, work is underway on the Club Hallam Fitness Suite and High Performance Hallam Strength and Conditioning area at the Collegiate Campus.

The facility is being extended to offer 73 stations of commercial and high performance equipment from Life Fitness to cater for everyday fitness as well as the university’s sporting elite as part of the Elite Hallam Sports Programme and the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme. Both programmes are designed to support students in combining their academic career while realising their sporting ambitions and potential.

The gym will also offer an SAQ and plyometric area equipped by Life Fitness and Escape Fitness to include another Cable Motion Dual Adjustable Pulley, plyometric platforms, speed ladders and an integrated force plate.

A five-room physiotherapy suite is also part of the development, which is due to open in October.