A former industrial building in Dundee could be transformed into the city’s first specialised gym for competitive powerlifters, as well as recreational and disabled athletes, if given the green light.
Dundee Strength Unit (DSU) would focus on sports such as powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman and body building, with equipment specific to these disciplines currently not available anywhere else in Dundee.
There would also be a possibility of hosting competitions in the facility, which would be located at Unit 6 at Douglas Court, West Henderson’s Wynd.
A change of use proposal prepared by Joanna and Kara Swankie for Dundee City Council stated: “DSU will be a gym facility completely unique to Dundee.
“We will capture the ‘old school’ approach to training, within a safe and drug free environment, for people to train regularly.
“We aim to provide a facility in Dundee for both recreational training and competitive athletes.
“By utilising contacts within the competitive field such as International Powerlifting Federation, we will put DSU forward to host competitions giving a facility in the Tayside region which is currently lacking from the area.
“This will be important exposure for the gym as well as helping to put Dundee on the map in this sport.
“Combined with the strength focus of the gym, we will also free programming for those looking to get fit.
“DSU will also encourage members to break away from basic cardiovascular training using treadmills and other traditional gym equipment and to begin lifting weights in a safe and monitored environment, thus helping them to change their approach to fitness.”
The statement added that there will also be a focus on teenagers and young people who have health or fitness concerns or need to develop positive behaviours.
There would also be encouragement for more women to take up powerlifting, as well as for less able-bodied individuals to train in facilities equipped for their needs.
The gym would be open for 15 hours a day and will be equipped with standard apparatus such as weights, barbells, power racks, supplemented with specialist pieces such as DSY Ltd Monolift, Texas Deadlift bars and Olympic weights.
