Further to the recent facilities expansion, Exe Valley Leisure Centre is proud to announce a refurbishment of its indoor cycle studio.

Building on the previous studio, the new training space has undergone a modern redesign, which features a better layout to assist trainers in leading improved cycling classes, and thereby engaging a wider range of users. The upgrades include a dedicated instructor’s stage and theatre-style levels for unobstructed viewing of the instructor. The studio also features improved imagery, LED mood lighting, high quality surround sound and air conditioning. 

The equipment selected for the new studio was done in association with Mid Devon Leisure’s long-term strategic partner and equipment provider, Matrix, and consists of 20 top-of-the-range CXP Target Training Cycles. Each cycle unit features Bluetooth-compatible intuitive touchscreen displays which provide personalised metrics, including; precision tracking during workouts, target watts, heart rate, RPMs, distance and calories burnt.

From Monday, 19 August, the new studio will offer 33 classes a week (previously 13), consisting of traditional instructor-led cycle classes; twenty minute fitness tests for personal benchmarking, and; Les Mills virtual RPM and Sprint programmes via a three metre wide projection screen. The quantity and variety of classes will help to ensure the studio is more accessible and remains open for longer to cope with demand. The number of users attending cycling classes in 2018/19 was just under 7,600. Exe Valley Leisure staff hope to increase this to 10,000 in 2019/20.

The refurbishment took six weeks to complete and was planned to follow the recent facilities expansion in January 2017.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new studio was held at 11am at Exe Valley Leisure Centre on Wednesday, 14 August. In attendance was the Leader of Mid Devon District Council, Councillor Bob Deed who cut the ribbon; along with the Chairman, Les Cruwys; the Mayor of Tiverton, Councillor Colin Slade; and Councillors Dennis Knowles and Andrew Moore. Also in attendance were staff from Mid Devon Leisure and Mid Devon District Council, to include Leisure Manager, Corinne Parnell; Contracts and Services Manager, Keith Ashton; and Director of Operations, Andrew Pritchard.

Corinne Parnall, Leisure Manager for Health & Fitness said: 

“We started using the new studio two weeks ago and the feedback we’ve received from our members so far has been very positive. We had a direct hand in the redesign of the studio and worked closely with contractors and our Property Services team (who undertook most of the work), to ensure the finished spec would, given the popularity of this type of exercise, provide the progression in cycling classes our customers have come to expect. We also hope to get even more use from the studio by hiring it out to cycle clubs and other sports clubs.”

Exe Valley is the last of Mid Devon’s three Leisure Centres to receive the new top-of-the-range CXP Target Training Cycles from Matrix. So, in accessibility terms, anyone outside the Tiverton area also wanting to test their endurance on one of these high-tech cycles, will be pleased to know that they are already in service at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton and Culm Valley Sports Centre in Cullompton.