DISCIPLINES & SAFETY

✕

DISCIPLINES & SAFETY

NEWS

How we built the UK’s FIRST Axe Swinging Fitness Venue in just 46 DAYS!

Posted by Team Axercise

The UK’s first ever axe swinging fitness venue, Axercise, is now open on Green Street, Kidderminster! The 5,000m2 premises is large enough to fit 14 comfortably, with safety exclusion areas around all of the stations. Incredibly, our team transformed the previously disused carpet warehouse into the stunning venue we have today in just 46 days! Let’s take a look at the progress throughout, from start to finish…

The initial concept renders helped us to realise how we wanted the venue to look.

This was how the building looked when we took the keys... a big cleanup was in order! — This was how the building looked when we took the keys… a big cleanup was in order!

Cleanup complete, it was now time to extract years of dust and residue from the floor and walls.

The painting begins... we used a custom paint that had to be made and ordered in specifically for the job! — The painting begins… we used a custom colour paint that had to be made and ordered in specifically for the job!

The first coat of dark grey goes on... thankfully the plaster in the building was already in good condition so no preparation work was needed. — The first coat of dark grey goes on… thankfully the plaster in the building was already in good condition so no preparation work was needed.

The area by the fire exit and stairwell has nearly had its first coat.

Good progress on the green walls has been made, and the second coat is now starting to go on.

The ceiling painting begins... initially it was a struggle reaching the higher areas with extender poles, so the team started with the bottoms of the beams. — The ceiling painting begins. Initially it was a struggle reaching the higher areas with extender poles…

...so we brought in a cherry picker to make the job much easier! — …so we brought in a cherry picker to make the job much easier!

The painting of the most difficult wall in the building begins. Seriously, this one took three full coats AND even more touch-ups in the end!

Touch-ups around the building continues... — Touch-ups around the building continues…

The counter at the entrance gets a makeover!

As the painting is nearly complete, the first lateral fell stands arrive. Custom made at our workshop in Welshpool, they are then transported over to Kidderminster on our trailer.

They have a shiny look to them as they have just been spray-coated in black.

The first of the MDF boards for the 'center line' of the walls arrive, and are painted in dark grey. — The first of the MDF boards for the ‘center line’ of the walls arrive, and are painted in dark grey.

The team set to work fixing the wooden batons that will hold the dark grey boards on the wall.

The green LED lighting is nearly installed.

Preparations are made to fit the rear Axercise banner to the wall.

The banner arrives, and is ready to be fitted to the wall.

The dark grey boards are ready to be fixed to the wooden batons.

One side finished - complete with the LED lighting! — One side finished – complete with the LED lighting!

Spot lights are installed on the beams to provide adequate lighting for axe swinging!

The first of the acrylic signs gets installed on the center bar.

The wall behind the counter gets installed. This took 5 people to lift it into position - it was surprisingly heavy! — The wall behind the counter gets installed. This took 5 people to lift it into position – it was surprisingly heavy!

Final touches are added in place before the pre-opening - including assembling the clothing rack and placing all the safety equipment. — Final touches are added in place before the pre-opening – including assembling the clothing rack and placing all the safety equipment.

Share this article

REVIEWS

Absolutely loved my first session. Who knew you could get so much satisfaction from smashing a piece of wood to bits! (Wish I'd left the gloves on like I was told to though - damn blister)

Well that was certainly different. I didn't know what to expect coming into this but really glad I tried it and will make this a regular activity alongside my regular gym membership. Great work guys.

Attended the pre-opening with my partner and did a solid hour on the overhead chop discipline. All I can say is what a workout and I managed to get through the log. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and will look to make this a fortnightly visit. Really recommend.