Sailors from HMS Iron Duke in Devonport have a brand-new bespoke gym facility onboard that has been designed around their needs and space available.
Incorporating equipment typically found in military gymnasiums ashore, the new facility has been custom fitted onto pre-determined weld points and sits on a 32 mm DuraTrain tile. All racks have been specifically designed to house modern strength equipment and the unique design specific to Type 23 ships means that the facility is continuously secure for sea. The gym is complete with an upper CV section and lower deck strength section.
Leading on the project has been Chief Petty Officer physical trainer Keir Woodhead, assistant regional physical development officer (West), based in Devonport. Keir has managed the project through HMS Iron Duke’s Upkeep programme with Babcock.
“It’s been a long process and I feel the trickiest hurdle is fine tuning the needs of the ship,” said Keir.
“Getting people together and being aware of what, when and how meant the install was massaged into the Upkeep programme at the right time. Organising the Install incorporated Babcock, IRDK Ship’s Coy, PT Staff, Cranes, Forklifts, movements parties, coordinating Indigo Fitness and many others. It’s a test of good communication, and everybody had their part to play to ensure success.”
“We’re entering a new era of sailors who understand more about Strength and Conditioning and if there’s scope to have a premium facility onboard a warship then we should strive for perfection and give them one. If people have a clean, new and modern facility it will be used.
“We are witnessing a large rise in Muscular Skeletal injuries and whole-body Maritime Vibration Injuries, due to a lack of motivation and poor facilities to train in. The Ship’s Physical Trainer can effect real change and assist with operational capability with the right tools. If the Ship’s Coy are prepared physically on an operational platform, then they’re capable of going to war, to fight and win.”
Commander Charlie Wheen, commanding officer of HMS Iron Duke added, ‘It is hard to overstate the value to the Ship of this bespoke gym. The equipment is extremely high-quality, fully marinised and perfectly designed to meet the fitness and conditioning requirements of our Ship’s Company. The gym represents a really important element of our drive to deliver an irresistible ‘lived experience’ onboard and I am hugely grateful to all those involved in the design and installation.”
