Nottingham’s UFC gym gearing up to open the first of its kind in Europe

Nottingham’s new UFC gym wants to “change the landscape of fitness” as it prepares to open the first of its kind in Europe.

Nottinghamshire Live got a behind the scenes look at the gym in Huntingdon Street, which is gearing up for its grand opening next month.

Members will be offered a classes including mixed martial arts group or private training, combat sports, boxing, kickboxing, as well as a range of gym floor exercises, spin, yoga and Zumba sessions.

The UFC team are promising state-of-the-art equipment that is rarely available to paying members of the public – with only professional sports stars having access to some of the gym equipment.

As you enter the building, the iconic octagon ring, where MMA classes take place, stands out, as well as the multitude of punch bags and a turf area for fitness classes.

Through the gym and down the stairs, there are plenty of free weights, pin weights, cardio equipment and custom built studios for classes.

Here, the gym’s cryotherapy room which aids recovery after a workout is the same type of facility used by the England Rugby team.

A dojo for mixed marital classes and a sauna are also all available.

UFC Nottingham will initially offer 80 classes a week to members before expanding to between 100-120 in the coming months.

Joe Long, a director of the gym and a former British karate champion, said: “It’s so exciting to see it all have taken shape. The last two years have been a journey.

“Everyone here is excited about this globally known brand coming to Nottingham – the first in Europe.

“We’ve spent a long time planning the flow of the facility. It’s open to families. We want to stress that. All ages and all abilities are welcomed.

“Nottingham can be a showcase of success to the rest of the country. People from across the UK will travel here. The cost is upwards of £1m and that’s without any of the equipment.

“Even if you’re not a member, come in and sit and have a coffee and get an idea of the atmosphere and what’s going on here.”

Joe added the gym was looking at working with authorities to help young people who may becoming involved with crime to help channel their energy into keeping fit in a safe environment.

Nottingham was chosen as Europe’s first UFC gym due to its ideal central location and history with helping Michael Bisping train his way to become one of the sport’s greats.

UFC fighter Dan Hardy, who helped put Nottingham on the MMA map, was also a big inspiration for the gym setting up in the city.

UFC Gym’s head of operations George Yiasemides, said: “We want to make elite level training available for everyone. It’s about changing the landscape of fitness.

“Our coaches go through a detailed application process and a five-day certification process to provide the best classes to people. We had around 750 applicants to work here.

“We are showing our professionalism. We’re not just taking the brand and plastering it around the gym. It’s properly done.

“It’s a very exciting space and fitness is something I’ve been incredibly passionate about over 37 years.

“I’ve helped set up UFC gyms in the Middle East including Dubai and Bahrain and now I find myself doing the same in Nottingham. It’s great.” 

The Nottingham studio is the first of a targeted 105 UFC clubs to open across the UK and Ireland over the next 10 years.

Potential members should enquire within the gym about packages available.

The gym will launch a grand opening on September 28 where Michael Bisping will be attending.

However, UFC Nottingham will open its doors to the public ahead of the grand opening on Sunday, September 1.