Gym drops weights on ground to measure noise levels after complaint
The 24-hour gym’s original application received a formal objection regarding the potential noise it may cause throughout the night
FOLLOWING concerns about the “mental and physical health” of local residents, a 24-hour gym company has re-applied for planning permission with noise reduction measures - including dropping dumbbells on the ground and measuring the sound they make.
Anytime Fitness has applied to establish a 24-hour gym in two combined units of Parkway Shopping Centre, one of them being a former language centre, and the other being the vacant EuroGiant store.
The company had been granted planning permission for this project in July of last year, despite locals voicing concerns over noise levels.
Anytime Fitness have decided to reapply with an updated layout, which they say “significantly benefits the acoustic design of the proposed gym”.
Their previous application was granted with conditional approval, with Anytime Fitness being instructed to adhere to a number of noise mitigation measures.
The application had garnered criticism from locals, with one objection saying that the noise from the gym would be harmful to the community.
“The continuous loud, annoying music noise coming from the 24-hour gym and the same loud gym music noise from the gym classes running from 7am to 9pm will have a very serious effect on our mental and physical health,” it said.
Anytime Fitness enlisted Wave Dynamics to perform a series of noise-level tests in the premises, which included dropping weights on the ground and measuring the volume of the sound produced. A 30kg dumbbell was dropped from waist height onto different floor materials, and recommendations were provided by Wave Dynamics based on this test.
Noise-reduction measures in the proposal include moving all free-weight activity and impact-generating machines to the ground floor.
A limiter system will be installed to control the volume of music in the gym.
The application notes that the proposed gym will not occupy any space directly above the existing FBD office space.
They have also applied for permission for a bicycle shelter outside of the shopping centre, illuminated signage for the gym, and an alternate entrance into the building.
A decision will be made on the application no later than December 17.