UNI FITNESS, located at Griffith University is more than just a gym. While it offers all the typical amenities; a fully equipped gym, group fitness studio, cycle room and HIIT training centre, cardio and strength machines, free weights, functional fitness equipment, and a range of dynamic group fitness classes - the fact that it is open to university students, staff, and the wider community, means that the centre serves several different purposes and meets many different needs.
Fitness Centre Manager, Alex Kolatchew, has been with the student guild since 2013, “I began working casually in the fitness centre,” he tells VERVE “and I took on the management role in 2018, so it is coming up on more than three years in the driver’s seat.”
Substance over Style
The Student Guild wasn’t Alex Kolatchew’s first job in fitness; he has considerable previous experience that includes working at Fitness First and Snap Fitness. He is also a former World Gym member. With his perspective on the industry, Alex is clear that Uni Fitness offers an entirely different experience. “In terms of the energy and the gym environment, it’s a big family. We greet people by their first names when they walk in. We’ve got about 1500 members, and there are very few members we can’t name off the top of their heads.”
He explains that this community approach is related to the centre’s setting and the university demographic. “It’s predominantly students, local and international. There are heroes, no egos. There’s no flexing in front of the mirror and no photos for social media, just people who get in and do their work out.”
Client-focused Continuity
The staff at Griffith University is equally low-key and customer focused. “We don’t have a sales team or a marketing team. Everybody does everything , I will work the desk, the reception staff do classes, and the classes even pitch in with some cleaning. We all have our role, which includes doing a bit of everything.” In addition to underscoring the sense of community at Griffith, it seems to contribute continuity and a positive workspace. As proof of this, says Alex, “We’ve pretty much had the same staff for six to seven years.” It is an unusually low turnover for the fitness space.
Doing it Right , Educating and Encouraging.
Operating as a part of the Student Guild and as a partner of the university proper, Alex says the fitness centre focuses on offering quality fitness education as much as they do the actual training.
“We have a structure where we run beginner classes. We have lots of programs where we teach people the basics of lifting. Instead of just running HIIT classes and yelling at people, our trainers have the background knowledge to be able to focus on educating people how to execute lifts properly rather than just get a sweat up.”
Alex adds, “We aren’t a CrossFit gym, and we don’t do F45 , although if high-intensity is what you want, we can do that too. One of our trainers, Freddy, runs an advanced HIIT class , more like a CrossFit style workout with some more complex lifts.”
According to Alex, the care they take to maintain a safe, welcoming environment has paid off. “It’s different to anywhere I’ve worked before, and I think it’s good because we get a lot of people who come into the gym who probably wouldn’t attend other gyms but feel comfortable coming here.” One of the ways the fitness centre fosters this confidence is through a more personal training experience
Alex explains, “I’ve been to gyms where you might have a Les Mills class with 60 to 80 people in it; our average class attendance is around twelve.”
A Place to Grow
Despite the welcoming atmosphere, the fitness centre offers far more than basic training. It is not a beginner gym; it is a place to grow safely. “We do see a lot of people who come through, and they do the same thing, so we’re always there to help people progress, to segue them into increasingly advanced classes.
Through personalised attention and the right amount of encouragement, the staff makes sure its members don’t stagnate but instead see progress at their own rate. “We are always on hand to give people the advice and techniques to keep them moving forward.”
Legacy of Excellence
While Uni Fitness serves the general university community, it also hosts attendees of Griffith Sports College, which plays a vital role in fostering students who are also elite athletes by helping them devote time to training and competition while they complete their studies. The fitness centre is uniquely positioned and equipped to meet their rigorous training requirements.
Alex explains the relationship, “The Uni has a partnership with Swimming Australia, so they run swimming from the pool and do their training here. As part of the Sports College, there are also rugby sevens and the rowing squad. We don’t run their training sessions; we act as a venue host for them and provide the facility.”
Olympian’s Choice
Of the more notable names to have used the canter are 2016’s four-time medal-winning Olympian Emma McKeon and her brother David who represented Australia in the 2012 Olympics.
Emma has won an additional eleven medals, including one gold, at the World Aquatics Championships; and twelve medals, including eight gold, at the 2014 Glasgow and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. The bulk of her training was at Griffiths under Olympic swim coach Micheal Bohl. Adding to the Griffiths College sporting legacy is rower Duncan Free, the 1996 Olympic medal winner who is the Sports College’s current director.
According to Alex, the legacy doesn’t end with Emma , in the upcoming Tokyo games, there will be some familiar faces on the Australian team. “We have hosted some high-level squads, and I think you will see them in the coming Olympics in 2021.”
A Proud VERVE Partnership
With its high-level training requirements and a regular membership that exceeds 1500 people, it is only natural that Uni Fitness would have high expectations in their choice of equipment and its supplier. That’s where VERVE enters the frame.
Like attracts like, and VERVE, like Uni Fitness, believes in making a real and lasting difference with their fitness partners. Alex remembers, “The first time we met, (VERVE Director) Niall walked in here with this piece of metal trying to show me the quality of the VERVE equipment. It was hilarious. He is a genuine bloke, and so is everyone who works there.”
First impressions count. After experiencing the vigour, vitality and enthusiasm that VERVE brings to their partnership, Alex says, “Now, we turn to VERVE for everything that we need. Without a doubt, we don’t go anywhere else.” He says that his only regret with the centre’s ongoing relationship with VERVE is that when they first came on the scene at Uni Fitness, the club had recently completed some upgrades using another vendor. “It’s a shame that we had just bought some new equipment six months before he walked in the door.”
Plans for Future Collaboration , Uni Games
Despite the poor timing, the relationship between VERVE has grown increasingly solid. “There is excellent potential for more partnerships between the University and VERVE for our future, especially with what we’re trying to achieve with our students in fitness and health.” In addition to the equipment and services VERVE provides, there are events like The Uni Games (functional fitness competition) in the pipeline, and VERVE will be there to provide both equipment and support.
Last Word
After all the time he has spent working side by side with VERVE when asked to provide a summary of his experience with the company, Alex doesn’t hesitate:
“I couldn’t fault it. I love it, I do.”
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