St Albans: AB SALUTE GYM enjoys success in Highfield

Essex-based chain AB SALUTE GYM made the move to Highfield in August following YMCA's "difficult decision" to close its community gym.

Since its official opening on October 5, manager Paige Drake, 30, told The Herts Advertiser, they had enjoyed a successful few weeks in business.

Manager Paige Drake outside the new AB SALUTE Gym. (Image: Huw Richards) The ground floor weight room features a plethora of machines and weights and cool red lighting. (Image: AB SALUTE GYM) "We've had such good feedback. Everyone absolutely loves the gym,  I have to shout out the equipment from Gym 80, it's unbelievable," she said.

The new gym hosts two floors of weights and cardio, including five of the first machines of their kind in the UK.

Adding to that is a unique smaller exercise space - nicknamed the "pink room" - that offers gym-goers a quieter space to workout.

The unique pink room is designed for women and new gym-goers. (Image: AB SALUTE GYM) Paige described how it is designed for new gym attendees and women to ensure that they feel "more comfortable" while working out, as main weight rooms can be "intimidating".

The majority of the weights and machines, including benches and squat racks, are placed on the open-plan ground floor with a dumbbell rack going up to 70kg.

While the first floor hosts a state-of-the-art cardio section.

"That equipment's insane, there's such a good variation of machines that are all brand new," Paige commented.

The state-of-the-art cardio section includes, cross-trainers, treadmills and stair masters. (Image: AB SALUTE GYM) The treadmills allow users to run anywhere in the world. (Image: AB SALUTE GYM) "On the treadmills you can connect to Google Maps and run wherever you want across the world."

The gym manager assured that accessibility was at the fore, currently welcoming members of all ages including an 83-year-old woman who signed up this week.

One rule, however: gym members must be over 16.

Our reporter Huw Richards went down for a tour of the fitness centre:

Alongside the gym, the centre offers a "Golf Hacker" that features a computer simulator for players to practice their swings for an hour at a time. 

This space can also be used for parties and events to watch films and eat food.

The Golf Hacker room allows golfers to practice their swing off the course. (Image: AB SALUTE GYM)The 3G pith was a mainstay at the former Highfield Community Centre. (Image: AB SALUTE GYM) The 3G seven-a-side pitch remains open and is available to book for 60 and 90 minutes slots starting at £35.

When the takeover was completed in August, managing director Colin Hall said: "We are immensely proud that Highfield Park Trust are giving us the opportunity to bring unique facilities to the area.

"We have extensive ideas for the centre, with a complete renovation to the building we are going to inject the most prestigious gym equipment in the world."

The St Albans branch is looking to upgrade in the near future, with a fresh café and bar space being built on the first floor, and a partnership with Costa Coffee looming.

"The new space will be good for people working from home and for people to come in and watch sport on the weekend, we hope to serve food as well!" Paige added.

Members can sign up today for a minimum of £49.50, to see other membership options and find out more go to https://www.absalutegym.co.uk/st-albans