Founded in 2007 and operating 37 sites, The Gym Group is the longest established national operator of budget gyms offering affordable, flexible and rewarding gym membership without compromising on quality.
And determining the correct flooring solution for their Bolton gym in Lancashire would be high on their agenda.
The Gym Group were seeking a looselay, durable flooring solution that would be quick to install with the minimum of fuss and downtime. This was a crucial element of the specification and GTI from Gerflor would be just one of two chosen Gerflor products to grace this new facility.
The smart Gerflor GTI range has a 2mm wearlayer and 6mm thickness overall and easily copes with constant footfall, bearing the heaviest static loads around the clock. It’s one of the toughest vinyl flooring tile ranges on the market and is designed for industrial, retail and leisure areas. The Gerflor GTI range is available in 16 colours offering design flexibility.
There is no adhesive to apply and dry, therefore the installation can be done quickly without closing the facilities and losing business and is suitable for most subfloor types – ceramics, concrete, resin and irregular surfaces.
The backing is 4mm black homogenous sheet, while the surface is a 2mm coloured homogenous sheet. GTI has a Wear Group standard T rating, meeting HSE anti-slip guidelines (R10) and is treated with Gerflor’s unique scratch-resistant PUR+ surface treatment, which provides easy cleaning and improved resistance to scratching, significantly delaying the need for waxing. PUR+ surface treatment also provides excellent resistance to chemicals allowing for easy maintenance. The GTI range is also 100% recyclable.
David Melhuish, Head of Property Development at the Gym Group commented: “Gerflor have provided flooring to all of our Gym across the UK and we have been impressed by the performance given the intensive application in our 24 hour operation.
“We worked with Gerflor to identify how we could improve performance further and reduce installation times and after a successful pilot we switched to the Gerflor GTI product which does not require adhesive, can be laid on a damp floor and is more forgiving on rough surface finish.”
Recently The Gym Group had been using two different Gerflor products in their changing rooms until they switched the specification over to Tarasafe Ultra H2O from Gerflor. There can be the potential for slippage issues if water is transferred from shower areas to changing areas. The specified choice solved this problem as it’s designed for both wet & dry areas.
Tarasafe Ultra H2O is an ideal solution for shower and changing rooms, together with any high level risk wet areas where heavy duty slip resistant vinyl safety flooring is needed.
Designed with a raised emboss, Tarasafe Ultra H2O is available in eight stunning colours. Its lighter weight and improved flexibility allow for quicker and easier installation which is exactly what The Gym Group needed.
Tarasafe slip resistant vinyl safety sheet flooring is deeply inlaid with mineral crystal particles, plus coloured chips, and reinforced with a glass fibre grid to make it durable and hard-wearing, as well as being R11 slip resistant. Designed for heavy use, Tarasafe Ultra H2O also carries a 12 year warranty.
David Melhuish went on to finally comment: “we have also recently enhanced the showers and changing rooms by introducing Gerflor Tarasafe Ultra H2O which is suitable for use across all of these areas. Previously we had used two different Gerflor products but having a single solution gives a much improved, consistent appearance throughout.”
Tarasafe uses mineral crystals, rather than the industry standard carborundum particle thus it’s lighter in weight and brighter in colour appearance. By being 100 per cent recyclable it also meets all industry environmental standards. Tarasafe Ultra H2O meets the highest safety standards.
As well as registering a Grade C in the barefoot ramp test, the safety flooring recorded >36 in the wet pendulum test using a 55 slider. It also meets British and European standards for fire retardation and electrical conductivity.