University Gym Design and Installation at Keele University, Staffordshire

Integrating Sustainability with Fitness at Keele

Keele University has long been recognised as a leader in sustainability, and its commitment extends well beyond the classroom. As part of a wider programme of campus improvements, Sunshine Gym partnered with the university to deliver a large-scale university gym design and installation project that utilised outdoor green spaces to promote health and wellbeing.

Located in Staffordshire and set within a 617-acre site, Keele views its campus as a “living laboratory,” where environmental innovation goes hand in hand with student life. The creation of new outdoor fitness zones aligned perfectly with this ethos, linking sustainability, physical activity, and community engagement.

Outdoor Fitness Zones at Keele University

To maximise opportunities for student participation, Sunshine Gym installed four distinct outdoor training zones close to the sports centre. These were carefully planned to ensure variety, inclusivity, and long-term durability.

• Advanced Training Zone: The first area is centred around the Sthenos Outdoor Fitness Rig, which includes parallel rails, trapeze rings, pull-up handles, and a leg raise station. Designed for experienced users, this zone supports advanced bodyweight training and appeals to students who would otherwise look for specialist gyms in Keele.
  
  

• Cardio and Strength Zones: The three additional zones combine popular cardio machines with strength-building and flexibility-focused equipment. This includes the Double Health Walker, Rower, Double Slalom Skier, Combi Pull Down Challenger with Power Push, and Double Sit Up Bench. Together, these facilities ensure users can enjoy a complete workout in an outdoor setting.
  
  

By dividing the project into zones, Keele University created an outdoor gym design that caters to beginners, intermediate exercisers, and advanced athletes alike.

A Sustainable Approach to University Gym Design

Unlike indoor gyms that rely on powered equipment, Sunshine Gym’s outdoor machines operate entirely through bodyweight. This means the Keele Uni gym equipment requires no external energy supply and is available year-round, rain or shine.

For universities investing in long-term facilities, this represents a sustainable and cost-effective solution. The Keele Uni gym equipment demonstrates how outdoor gym equipment for universities can deliver durability, accessibility, and environmental benefits. The equipment is robust, low-maintenance, and designed to withstand heavy usage, making it ideal for the demands of a busy campus environment.

Free-to-Access Facilities for Students and Staff

The outdoor gyms at Keele University are completely free to use, ensuring accessibility for all members of the campus community. Students can incorporate quick training sessions between lectures, while staff benefit from exercise opportunities before or after working hours.

This model of open-access fitness contributes to improved wellbeing and encourages active lifestyles without the financial barriers of private gyms or membership-only facilities. It positions Keele as a university committed to supporting health and fitness across its entire community.

Additional Campus Improvements

The outdoor gym installation was part of a broader programme of campus enhancements delivered by the Broxap group. Alongside Sunshine Gym, Keele also worked with Broxap’s street furniture division to upgrade its waste management infrastructure.

The installation of 41 Derby Double Recycling Bins and 26 Derby Standard Litter Bins reinforced Keele’s “recycling-on-the-go” initiative, encouraging students, staff, and visitors to separate recyclable materials and reduce waste.

Together, these projects underline Keele’s commitment to sustainability, functionality, and student experience.

Long-Term Partnership with Broxap and Sunshine Gym

Keele University has worked with Broxap and Sunshine Gym for many years, strengthening the relationship between campus development and specialist suppliers. From outdoor seating and litter bins to large-scale university gym design and installation, the partnership demonstrates how coordinated investment in facilities can benefit both the university and its users.

Why Universities Choose Sunshine Gym

For higher education institutions, designing effective fitness facilities means balancing accessibility, sustainability, and long-term value. Sunshine Gym works with universities across the UK to deliver:

• Tailored university gym design solutions that suit the unique needs of students and staff, including the supply of outdoor gym equipment for universities that complements indoor facilities
  
  

• Sustainable equipment powered by bodyweight, removing the need for electricity.
  
  

• Outdoor fitness installations that support inclusivity, accessibility, and year-round use.
  
  

• End-to-end project management, from design to installation and aftercare.
  
  

The Keele University project shows how outdoor gyms can complement indoor sports facilities while supporting wider campus sustainability goals.

Start Your University Gym Project

If you are exploring options for gym design and installation at a university, school, or public sector site, Sunshine Gym can help. Our expertise in delivering large-scale, multi-zone projects ensures you receive facilities that meet user needs, enhance wellbeing, and align with organisational objectives.

Contact our team today to discuss how Sunshine Gym can deliver a tailored solution for your campus or community space.

Sunshine Gym equipment is powered purely by bodyweight, with the energy needed to operate the apparatus coming from the user. Once installed, the equipment is free to access and suitable for use all year round providing lots of opportunities for students to develop their fitness now and in the future. The university chose a variety of cardio and strength building equipment to appeal to users of all abilities and interests.

The first zone features the Sthenos Outdoor Fitness Rig, which packs in a range of exercise stations such as the parallel rails, trapeze rings, pull-up handles and leg raise. Our fitness rigs are designed for experienced gym users, providing the tools for an advanced bodyweight training routine. Three further zones offer a combination of equipment for cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercise. These feature some of our most popular equipment such as the Double Health Walker, Rower and Double Slalom Skier as well as multifunctional pieces like the Combi Pull Down Challenger and Power Push and Double Sit Up Bench.

Working with our street furniture division, Keele University also upgraded its ‘binfrastructure’ pressing home the ‘recycling-on-the-go’ message to students, staff and visitors. A total of 41 Derby Double Recycling Bins and 26 Derby Standard Litter Bins were delivered to site to encourage people to separate out recyclable materials.
These latest orders are part of a long-standing partnership with Keele University, which has seen the Broxap group of companies provide a range of outdoor furniture and infrastructure to support the campus community.

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