Honda opens new gym at Brackley

With the high physical demands of working for a modern Formula One team, good levels of health are essential for not only drivers but also the rest of the staff. Employees at Brackley have had access to a gym facility since the team was formed in 1998 however 10 years on it was in need of an overhaul.

“Over the last 10 years the team has grown considerably, along with the popularity of the gym,” explains the team’s Health & Fitness Trainer Rachel Swift. “It became apparent that a larger space was required in order to accommodate the growing number of employees who were taking an interest in their fitness and wellbeing.”

Recognising this Honda found a new home for the gym, moving it from a room in the lower ground floor of the main building into the first floor of the half-scale wind tunnel. This had the dual benefit of having three and a half times more space and allowing in natural light through the windows – a feature not available in the previous space.

Work setting up the new facility began in August this year and took 12 weeks to complete. It houses 27 pieces of top-of-the-range Star Trac equipment (16 cardiovascular, 11 resistance), the majority of which are self-powered, plus 12 spinning bikes and a punch bag. Other improvements include a highly efficient air conditioning and ventilation system, a state-of-the-art music system and new shower and changing facilities with environmentally-friendly under-floor heating.

The gym is open to all team members, whether they are in management, engineering, design, finance, marketing, IT and so on. “We encourage all employees to stay fit and healthy,” says Rachel. “Not only will they feel better but they will have increased concentration, productivity and less absence from work through sickness or strains on the body.”

Race and test team members, who transport large quantities of equipment all around the world, in particular are encouraged to use the gym. When they are based at the factory, many will use the facility two to three times a week.

“The physical demands of racing and testing require a good level of fitness from the team, especially the pit crews as they have to manoeuvre heavy equipment such as the fuel rig,” says Rachel. “The working hours are often very long and the conditions can be very hot and humid so the fitter their bodies are the more efficiently they will work. They all undergo regular fitness assessments and we also run specific classes for them when they are back at the factory to help strengthen them for the roles within the team.”