A brand-new student gym has opened at North Yorkshire independent school Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, offering a first-class fitness facility for aspiring student athletes, as well as offering a state-of-the art space for physical education for all ages. The facility was officially opened by Kevin Sinfield CBE, prior to him embarking on his latest ‘Running home for Christmas Challenge’ in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
Queen Ethelburga’s collaborated with global strength equipment brand Eleiko to upgrade the old gym into a new, inspiring and versatile space, designed to cater to students of all ages and abilities, from beginners to high-performing athletes.
The refurbishment, built on the school’s existing Eleiko equipment—including Prestera half racks, bars, plates, Vulcano dumbbells, and XF storage—was seamlessly integrated into the upgraded facility. This highlights the durability and adaptability of Eleiko’s products. The gym now features five custom-designed extended double half racks with SVR platforms, providing 10 lifting stations with advanced sound and vibration control. The racks also include an integrated smith machine and are custom branded.
To further enhance the gym’s functionality, a Prestera rig for multipurpose training was added, alongside a multi-station cable setup offering lat pulldown, low row, and pulley options.
Eleiko is a global leader in strength equipment and education, dedicated to supporting athletes, students, and facilities at every level. With over 60 years of experience, Eleiko’s equipment is trusted in more than 180 countries and is a fixture at the world’s most prestigious championships and leading training spaces. Committed to quality and innovation, Eleiko creates environments that inspire strength, learning, and performance while meeting the unique needs of its partners.
Speaking at the opening, 18 months after his last visit in 2023 as keynote speaker at the QE Speech Day, Kevin Sinfield CBE said ‘It’s great to be back. Everytime I enter the school grounds I just think it is a really special place. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gym like this in a school. What a great space for people to come get better and improve.’
Rob Rawlinson, Head of Sport, said ‘The Extra Mile offers a new high performance experience for our budding athletes and adds a new dimension to the sporting programme and facilities available here at Queen Ethelburga’s. We’ve worked hard with Eleiko to produce a functional space for both our younger and older students, whilst still providing an elite training facility for our Performance Sport Pathway students. The new equipment will allow us to offer an unrivalled strength and conditioning programme within the pathway, not unlike that seen at professional sports clubs and training facilities.’
Categories: Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate School News
