Inside Gymshark's £5m innovation hub

Fast-growing Gymshark has opened the doors of its new 55,000 sq ft innovation hub in Solihull, a £5m creative studio and fitness centre focusing on employee wellbeing and brand innovation.

Located within 100 yards of the sportswear brand’s headquarters, the Gymshark Lifting Club (GSLC) was created in partnership with office design and build company Oktra.

The former warehouse facility retains many industrial features, but has been split into several spaces dedicated to a variety of activities. It took Oktra 22 weeks to transform the facility into a vast studio space, complete with a state-of-the-art-gym, high-tech photography studios and a 100-person auditorium.

Sean Espinasse, design director at Oktra North, said: “Having developed Gymshark HQ as a facility that enables their business to grow, we then moved on to GSLC, which enables their people to grow. It offers something different from a typical office environment– it’s a playground for mental and physical development.”

The new space offers more potential for team training and engagement, featuring an ‘X’ shaped central concrete health bar designed specifically as a point for learning and personal training.

There is also an R&D factory and multiple content studios to support Gymshark’s active social media presence.

Additionally, the company’s 350-strong staff can benefit from the 13 Olympic-grade weight lifting platforms and outdoor strongman yard space.

Building a gym community has been a key part of the retailer’s success, with Gymshark’s social media accounts and influencer support helping it go from £0 to almost £200m turnover in under seven years.

And the company has predicted a “dramatic” increase in sales for next year as it prepares to launch a new fitness app.

Gymshark has a growing team of 350 and exports to over 180 countries worldwide.

Inside Gymshark's £5m innovation hub

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