Britain's Strongest Disabled Man opens tech-focused Bannatyne club

Britain's Strongest Disabled Man has opened the revamped Bannatyne Health club and Spa in Milton Keynes after it underwent a £500,000 ($661,700, €559,200) facelift, with technology at the forefront.

Mark Smith, who has twice been crowned Britain's Strongest Disabled Man, previously worked at the club as a Fitness adviser and cut the ribbon to reopen the Midsummer Boulevard health club’s gym floor.

The main focus of the refurbishment was to improve the club’s technological offering.Smartphone-connected equipment, which allows members to track their fitness progress through the Bannatyne App, has been installed. New screens are connected to MyZone heart rate-monitoring belts so members can see how hard they are pushing themselves.

The club has new and upgraded cardiovascular and resistance equipment, alongside an expanded Olympic-standard weightlifting platform. It also has a new functional area, which includes a Technogym Omnia 8.

The facility also has a swimming pool, hydrotherapy spa pool, sauna and steam room and more than 80 classes each week.

Scott Mulkern, Bannatyne Health Club and Spa Milton Keynes general manager, said: “The refurbished gym floor will allow our members to monitor their fitness levels and the effort they are putting in. This is part of a continued shift towards the inclusion of technology in the fitness sector and will help members reach their fitness goals more quickly.”

The upgrade is part of a nationwide programme by the group to update all of its 68 facilities.