Community gym created at Royal Arsenal

Finding the time to keep fit can often prove difficult for many hard working city types who appreciate the need to exercise after a long day in the office.

To satisfy this requirement Berkeley Homes (East Thames) Ltd opened an exclusive state-of-the-art gym, in the renovated Shell Foundry Gatehouse at Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, SE18.

Built in 1855 during an ambitious expansion of the former Royal Arsenal, the Gatehouse is all that remains of the Shot and Shell Foundry, which was designed by engineer David Murray and demolished in 1967. Now the stunning Gatehouse is home to a full range of the latest gym equipment, providing a convenient fitness centre for residents. Looking after the gym and its users, experienced supervisor and Riverdance star Emma Holtham explained:

“The gym has been well designed with a range of equipment that is the best available and makes very good use of the space available. My main role is to conduct inductions and supervise training sessions. However, I am also available to arrange personal training for gym members.”

The new gym, which provides residents with a range of ‘technogym’ cardiovascular and strength equipment including free weights, is open daily to residents between 7am and 8pm.

A key part of the largest regeneration project in South East London, the gym will add to the existing clubs at Royal Arsenal and outdoor exercise opportunities already available.

Residents can also join the Royal Arsenal Running Club and Royal Arsenal Cycling Club, offering safe and enjoyable ways to keep fit whilst exploring London’s most unique regeneration community.

Royal Arsenal also features bicycle racks to promote healthy living, and for those whose only exercise is walking to the station, the mainline service from Woolwich Arsenal is only a swift five minutes walk away. Royal Arsenal is only seventeen minutes by train to London Bridge, seven miles from the City, and only 300 metres from the future extension to the DLR that will link Woolwich with Canary Wharf in early 2009. The Thames Clippers fast ferry service is extended to Woolwich, offering residents a 23-minute service to Canary Wharf and then on to The City.

The Armouries, a collection of new build apartments, is the latest phase available for sale at Royal Arsenal. Prices start from £250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, from £290,000 for two-bedroom apartments and from £315,000 for three-bedroom apartments. Just two apartments remain in the converted MyHQ building - a two-bedroom apartment priced at £305,000 and a three-bedroom apartment, priced at £350,000.

For further information about The Armouries and MyHQ, and to arrange a viewing of the new show apartments, visit the website at Royal-arsenal.co.uk.