The Mardyke Arena Discussion Thread

closeline

No harm to set up a topic on this!! A place for good discussion..Hopefully the mods might put it at the top of the UCC topic page (I cant rememeber what that is called). When can students park in the car park again...Anyone know when it will be fully completed and when will the running track be fully open. The new showers by the pool...I dont like them..is it just me?? Cant they be made hotter or colder at all??? Hopefully this can be a good place for peoples views on the Mardyke.

Ricky91t

I've only started using the pool facilities this year so I'm assuming you mean the showers right by the pool? I've found some are cold others are a lot warmer though, just seems to be luck of the draw!

Bloody Nipples

Cork is set for a jobs boost with the announcement from the Mardyke Arena UCC of details of its €10m development due to begin in the New Year. The Mardyke Arena University College Cork has announced details of a major Phase 3 Development which will see almost 40,000 square feet added to the Arena in 2011.

The project which is due to commence at the end of February 2011 is valued at €10m and at the height of the ten-month construction period, is set to provide up to 100 jobs in the construction industry.

The development will involve the demolition of the existing viewing stand along with the existing changing rooms underneath the stand. A three floor extension will be constructed and when complete the new development, which represents the very best in modern design and construction, will contribute to a truly world class facility at the Mardyke.

Included in the new facilities will be an indoor running track; hydro therapy pools; dance fitness studios; 60 tiered seated team meeting room; martial arts studio; physiotherapy/wellness centre and new changing rooms.

An extensive flood protection defence will be incorporated into the development. The Arena which currently employs up to 70 staff will see this number increase on completion of the new facilities.

The company Mardyke Leisure (UCC) Ltd, the Arena management company, are the project developers and the design team also includes University College Cork; Wilson Architecture; JODA Engineering Consultants; Cantwell Keogh & Associates Fire Safety Consultants and Quantity Surveyors Davis Langdon PKS.

The completed development is due to be handed over to Mardyke Leisure (UCC) Ltd the week beginning 19 December 2011. The development was officially launched today (Thursday) by the President of University College Cork, Dr Michael Murphy, at a reception in the Mardyke Arena UCC.

This is from the Cork Independent last December and says the whole lot will be open in December but I suppose you could add on a month or two for a conservative estimate to allow for delays in construction.

rebel girl 15

I've stickied it and fixed your spelling mistake OP!

closeline

Ricky91t wrote: »

I've only started using the pool facilities this year so I'm assuming you mean the showers right by the pool? I've found some are cold others are a lot warmer though, just seems to be luck of the draw!

No not right by the pool. There is new ones with cubicles. When you walk into the pool area they would be on the right hand side.

closeline

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

I've stickied it and fixed your spelling mistake OP!

What was my spelling mistake. I cant remember as I usually make so many.

rebel girl 15

closeline wrote: »

What was my spelling mistake. I cant remember as I usually make so many.

Marydke

closeline

Ok thanks.

bonez025

My coat was taken today from the mardyke. It was in the first male locker room, on top of the lockers. Just hoping if someone took it they might see it here. Its black with a bit of blue stitching.

PM me if you see it somewhere, or have it(hopefully).

corcaighabu92

Good luck with it. Hope you get it back. What are they doing outside the Mardyke now. Is it just putting down bricks. Anyone know when the indoor running track will be finished.

whelpy

Fair play to the person who returned the fencing sword to the armoury cupboard in the third hall. Thought it was gone for good, thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!:):):)

.E_C_K_S.

When will this be finished for roughly? I see that are constructing a new wall around it, presumably for the flood defence?

On a side note, anyone come across the ranting old man in the sauna from around 9-11 every morning? He is some hero!

closeline

WALSHY16291 wrote: »

When will this be finished for roughly? I see that are constructing a new wall around it, presumably for the flood defence?

On a side note, anyone come across the ranting old man in the sauna from around 9-11 every morning? He is some hero!

I know who you are talking about. Wouldnt say he is a hero. More like a pain in the hole!!! :mad:

.E_C_K_S.

closeline wrote: »

I know who you are talking about. Wouldnt say he is a hero. More like a pain in the hole!!! :mad:

Haha did he bully you? Challenge you to a race in the pool? Lighten up man. He is hilarious with some of the stuff he comes up with!

keepkeyyellow

I'd genuinely love to go but to be honest I have a notion about gym etiquette, asides from common sense is there anything I should know going for my first time ?

closeline

WALSHY16291 wrote: »

Haha did he bully you? Challenge you to a race in the pool? Lighten up man. He is hilarious with some of the stuff he comes up with!

Haha..it is hilarious actually to hear him speaking.Also hilariously to see the people he is talking to eventually try to ignore him. Its gas but can be incredibly annoying at times when you are trying to relax.

UpTheSlashers

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

I'd genuinely love to go but to be honest I have a notion about gym etiquette, asides from common sense is there anything I should know going for my first time ?

Bring a towel, a lot of people forget.

.E_C_K_S.

closeline wrote: »

Haha..it is hilarious actually to hear him speaking.Also hilariously to see the people he is talking to eventually try to ignore him. Its gas but can be incredibly annoying at times when you are trying to relax.

DON'T make eye contact with him anways! And if he asks you what course you do say computer science, he has a great rant on how the computer is the devils machine and we're all going to hell!

Did anyone see the new part of the gym yet(old womens gym).Heard it it meant to be nice.

closeline

WALSHY16291 wrote: »

DON'T make eye contact with him anways! And if he asks you what course you do say computer science, he has a great rant on how the computer is the devils machine and we're all going to hell!

Did anyone see the new part of the gym yet(old womens gym).Heard it it meant to be nice.

Ha gas stuff. I thought the whole thing was meant to be finished by now. Are they after falling behind or what??

Ricky91t

The new CV gym is very nice, seriously impressed with the fact they updated all the machines, at least they're spending our money on changes/updates instead of just keeping it for profit

closeline

Ricky91t wrote: »

The new CV gym is very nice, seriously impressed with the fact they updated all the machines, at least they're spending our money on changes/updates instead of just keeping it for profit

What you mean by CV?? Obiously not Curriculum Vitae ha!!

rebel girl 15

closeline wrote: »

What you mean by CV?? Obiously not Curriculum Vitae ha!!

Cardio Vascular

closeline

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Cardio Vascular

Where is this? Is it open?

rebel girl 15

closeline wrote: »

Where is this? Is it open?

I don't know, but the old one used be on the first floor I think!

Ricky91t

It's where the ladies Gym was I think, but incase you don't know where that is, When you're walking into the Gym reception, there's bikes on a first floor walkway above the desk, If you walk along that walk way it's there.

EyeSight

is the current CV area only temporary? i had a look up at the old one yesterday and it seems they are just installing new machines there. which leads me to think that the womens gym will be womens only again soon?

i think its unfair they get their own. especially when the weights room is far too small to facilitate all the patrons. i was hoping they'd have a larger weights zone after all this renovations

rebel girl 15

EyeSight wrote: »

is the current CV area only temporary? i had a look up at the old one yesterday and it seems they are just installing new machines there. which leads me to think that the womens gym will be womens only again soon?

i think its unfair they get their own. especially when the weights room is far too small to facilitate all the patrons. i was hoping they'd have a larger weights zone after all this renovations

I hope it is - a lot of women would be put off going into the previous CV gym, and there were a large number of womens circuit classes above the ladies only gym, which was perfectly suited to it. I can see why you'd think it is unfair, but I don't think so - not when you consider those circuit sessions that are run their for older women more than younger women tbh

Cian92

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

I hope it is - a lot of women would be put off going into the previous CV gym, and there were a large number of womens circuit classes above the ladies only gym, which was perfectly suited to it. I can see why you'd think it is unfair, but I don't think so - not when you consider those circuit sessions that are run their for older women more than younger women tbh

Where is the mans gym? What about the Men put off going into the CV gym? I don't think that it is fair that one group should get their own CV gym. Unless of course they were paying extra.

UpTheSlashers

I was hoping there would be a larger free weights area as result of the development.

EyeSight

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

I hope it is - a lot of women would be put off going into the previous CV gym, and there were a large number of womens circuit classes above the ladies only gym, which was perfectly suited to it. I can see why you'd think it is unfair, but I don't think so - not when you consider those circuit sessions that are run their for older women more than younger women tbh

no offence(i really don't want to come off as angry), but if some women are too self conscious to go to a mixed gym, then its their tough luck. as a man, i was very intimidated starting out at a gym back when i was 18, but its just one of those things you've to get on with. and as a regular user i can assure you that most people don't care who is around them, unless they're in their way and not adhering to gym etiquette.

there are tonnes of studio rooms for women only classes. they pay the same as the men. if there was a man only gym and not a woman only gym, it would be deemed sexist and probably be brought to court. i just think it's a double standard. And i really wouldn't care, its just, one CV gym seems to be big enough for both sexes, yet the weights area is far too small for the amount that use it. if you go to the weights area anytime after 12/1pm its not even worth going because you spend more time waiting around than working out

closeline

I hope the men dont get a gym to themseleves. Why would I want that to be looking at other men all day?? Much better when the women are exercising in there too.

EyeSight

closeline wrote: »

I hope the men dont get a gym to themseleves. Why would I want that to be looking at other men all day?? Much better when the women are exercising in there too.

i wasn't saying we should get one. just that there would be uproar if we did and women didn't.

either way you shouldn't be looking at anyone in the gym. its one of those places where people need their space. and i don't think any girl will be flattered by people staring at them in the gym

rebel girl 15

EyeSight wrote: »

there are tonnes of studio rooms for women only classes. they pay the same as the men. if there was a man only gym and not a woman only gym, it would be deemed sexist and probably be brought to court. i just think it's a double standard. And i really wouldn't care, its just, one CV gym seems to be big enough for both sexes, yet the weights area is far too small for the amount that use it. if you go to the weights area anytime after 12/1pm its not even worth going because you spend more time waiting around than working out

Women only circuit classes?? They wouldn't happen in a studio. As a regular enough user last year and the year before, the womens only gym was hugely popular. These circuit classes are for older women, 50 or 60+ - the Mardyke gym is well known for having a small weights area, if you have a problem with that, find a new one! The womens only gym was a big USP for the place. I've used both the womens only gym and the CV gym btw. Those classes had nearly 20 women every time I saw them going on.

Cian92, its not a CV gym, its a mixed gym - off the top of my head there were 4 treadmills, 3 bikes, 10 weight machines, a stepper machine, 3 cross trainers, med balls and a small selection of free weights.

EyeSight

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Women only circuit classes?? They wouldn't happen in a studio. As a regular enough user last year and the year before, the womens only gym was hugely popular. These circuit classes are for older women, 50 or 60+ - the Mardyke gym is well known for having a small weights area, if you have a problem with that, find a new one! The womens only gym was a big USP for the place. I've used both the womens only gym and the CV gym btw. Those classes had nearly 20 women every time I saw them going on.

Cian92, its not a CV gym, its a mixed gym - off the top of my head there were 4 treadmills, 3 bikes, 10 weight machines, a stepper machine, 3 cross trainers, med balls and a small selection of free weights.

i won't find a new gym. a portion of my college fees pay for that membership(which i have no control of) so i will use it. as a UCC student whos fees have contributed, i have the right to provide feedback.
the circuit classes don't run 24/7, they could easily just open the gym to all sexes outside of class times. 20-odd women in a class should not trump the hundreds of other users. so many women use the womens only one because it's there. it's not there now and it's hardly killing anyone, and the mixed one doesn't seem to be overly congested. would you be ok with it if there was a mens only and no women only?

rebel girl 15

EyeSight wrote: »

i won't find a new gym. a portion of my college fees pay for that membership(which i have no control of) so i will use it. as a UCC student whos fees have contributed, i have the right to provide feedback.
the circuit classes don't run 24/7, they could easily just open the gym to all sexes outside of class times. 20-odd women in a class should not trump the hundreds of other users. so many women use the womens only one because it's there. it's not there now and it's hardly killing anyone, and the mixed one doesn't seem to be overly congested. would you be ok with it if there was a mens only and no women only?

You have the right to provide feedback, but please not in the aggressive tone that you have here - the old CV gym is twice the size of the womens only gym, plus you have the weights gym downstairs, having that corner of the place as a womens only gym was never an issue before, so why is it becoming an issue now? There are a lot of other women that use that gym and do so because it is womens only, and join the Mardyke because they can do so - the Mardyke will be getting money from all UCC students anyway, but need some unique points to attract other clients, they cannot survive on students fees alone. Anytime I have been in there, it is nearly busier than the CV gym, as I use both - though not since last year.

I could complain a lot about the Mardyke and the treatment we have been given in there, but I won't - having a corner of the place womens only was never an issue. I don't think your issue is the womens only gym, its the fact that the weight area is so small - issue could be solved by letting people use the squad area at times no one is in there

EyeSight

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

You have the right to provide feedback, but please not in the aggressive tone that you have here - the old CV gym is twice the size of the womens only gym, plus you have the weights gym downstairs, having that corner of the place as a womens only gym was never an issue before, so why is it becoming an issue now? There are a lot of other women that use that gym and do so because it is womens only, and join the Mardyke because they can do so - the Mardyke will be getting money from all UCC students anyway, but need some unique points to attract other clients, they cannot survive on students fees alone. Anytime I have been in there, it is nearly busier than the CV gym, as I use both - though not since last year.

I could complain a lot about the Mardyke and the treatment we have been given in there, but I won't - having a corner of the place womens only was never an issue. I don't think your issue is the womens only gym, its the fact that the weight area is so small - issue could be solved by letting people use the squad area at times no one is in there

just because i disagree with you does not mean i'm being aggressive. i'm actually very calm.
it was never an issue before? i don't see it being an issue now. i have always felt it unfair and voiced my concern, i just assumed now that the rennovations would have given us a bigger weights room, but rumour has it that the women gym will be back, which i'm pretty sure it will be.
i'm surprised its attracts new customers, because its hard to find on their list of facilities and fliers. and i've been to a lot of different gyms and i can say that had they a larger weights area, they would attract a lot more customers. the equipment and location is fantastic in the mardyke

all i'm saying is that i find it silly that instead of having 2 large CV-type gyms, why not have a larger weights area(which is really needed as it's the busiest part of the gym IMO) and one CV gym. also i really do feel it's a double standard on the whole sexism thing

other than this i really don't have any other problems with the gym

UpTheSlashers

I dont see any "aggression" anywhere I think a few people just felt it would be a good idea with all this development that the free weights would get expansion. Maybe it will be, just with all this talk of more CV and womens stuff, it doesnt look likely. If you take away the "squad" gym (which many people have no acces to) the area is very small.
I also find the "find a new gym" sneer very bizarre.

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

I don't think your issue is the womens only gym, its the fact that the weight area is so small - issue could be solved by letting people use the squad area at times no one is in there

I would agree with this sentiment.

rebel girl 15

UpTheSlashers wrote: »

I dont see any "aggression" anywhere I think a few people just felt it would be a good idea with all this development that the free weights would get expansion. Maybe it will be, just with all this talk of more CV and womens stuff, it doesnt look likely. If you take away the "squad" gym (which many people have no acces to) the area is very small.
I also find the "find a new gym" sneer very bizarre.



I would agree with this sentiment.

Its not more CV and womens stuff - the womens gym was always there and was widely utilized - I know a number of UCC students who have gotten gym memberships at other gyms as well as the Mardyke, and I resent your suggestion that it was a sneer because it wasn't - these students who got other membership wouldn't be rich either tbh. I've read threads over in the H&F forum about the free weights area in the Mardyke and the joke that it is

There is plenty of room there if the squad gym was the be utilized. Its not for the students and what they want - they are an outside business at the end of the day - we pay enough with our course and the treatment we get is bad at times

EyeSight

last year they used to open the squad gym for a few hours most days and it was very useful. however it was never open during peak times. they stopped doing it over the summer for some reason

Parsley

UpTheSlashers wrote: »

I was hoping there would be a larger free weights area as result of the development.

i think they should swap the team area and the public area around. it'd be much better.

UpTheSlashers

Parsley wrote: »

i think they should swap the team area and the public area around. it'd be much better.

Admittedly, i'm never around at peak times, but I dont think ive ever seen more than two or three people in the squad gym. Whereas the "public" weights area can get very crowded.

Parsley

UpTheSlashers wrote: »

Admittedly, i'm never around at peak times, but I dont think ive ever seen more than two or three people in the squad gym. Whereas the "public" weights area can get very crowded.

having 4 platforms/squat racks in there is excessive too. rarely even see two in use at the same time. but the two squat racks in the public section are constantly being waited on.

UpTheSlashers

http://www.mardykearena.com/phase3development.cfm

samapp

You know how they have recently changed the building, I was there in September and after going through the security on ground floor I passed the stairs and continued all the way to the end to get to the guys changing room which was a small square room with lockers. are there new changing rooms now or are they the new ones?

UpTheSlashers

samapp wrote: »

You know how they have recently changed the building, I was there in September and after going through the security on ground floor I passed the stairs and continued all the way to the end to get to the guys changing room which was a small square room with lockers. are there new changing rooms now or are they the new ones?

Those were only temporary ones. The "team" dressing were also used for a few weeks. The new ones will be upstairs i think.

2022rae

I'm interested in trying some of the classes they hold (timetable here for those also interested) but I was hoping someone could tell me what kind of level they would expect as I'm not in my prime fitness wise and find it slightly intimidating.

The ones that I'd be most interested in are the Step n Tone, Yoga and Spin classes. Also I was wondering what exactly they do in the Legs, Bums, Tum and Total Tone classes? (i.e. are they weights-focused or cardio?)

Any help/info is greatly appreciated! Thanks

insinkerator

Does anyone know what the deal is for the track? Can any member go out there and just run around it, or do you need to book or what's the deal?

Liona

2022rae wrote: »

I'm interested in trying some of the classes they hold (timetable here for those also interested) but I was hoping someone could tell me what kind of level they would expect as I'm not in my prime fitness wise and find it slightly intimidating.

The ones that I'd be most interested in are the Step n Tone, Yoga and Spin classes. Also I was wondering what exactly they do in the Legs, Bums, Tum and Total Tone classes? (i.e. are they weights-focused or cardio?)

Any help/info is greatly appreciated! Thanks

I ve never visited the mardyke classes but in general you ll be able to join in anytime. The step classes might be a little tough at the beginning as u need to get used to the vocabulary they use and the different step combinations but after 2-3 classes you ll be fine so dont give up!
with the spinning bikes you basically direct your own workout. there is a teacher to tell you what to do and motivate you but you are the one in control on how hard you make it for yourself.
Legs, bums and tums will probably include a lot of exercise to strengthen your muscles usually without or only with small weights. total tone might use stuff like body bars etc... but again the instructor will tell you as a first timer what weights are appropriate :-)
Have fun

2022rae

Liona wrote: »

I ve never visited the mardyke classes but in general you ll be able to join in anytime. The step classes might be a little tough at the beginning as u need to get used to the vocabulary they use and the different step combinations but after 2-3 classes you ll be fine so dont give up!
with the spinning bikes you basically direct your own workout. there is a teacher to tell you what to do and motivate you but you are the one in control on how hard you make it for yourself.
Legs, bums and tums will probably include a lot of exercise to strengthen your muscles usually without or only with small weights. total tone might use stuff like body bars etc... but again the instructor will tell you as a first timer what weights are appropriate :-)
Have fun

Thank you Liona! You're so helpful! That's great info, I'll definitely be giving some of them a try

sporina

hi, I am going to go to a class in the Mardyke this eve. I tried before but even though I was there nearly 1 hr before the class, it was full. And I remember it being a pain to park. So I have been reluctant to try again, up to now that is.
So, is there anywhere I can park easily? Also, do I really need to be there an hr before the class (step and tone)? Between that and parking, its adds a whole lot of time onto a 50 min fitness class..

EyeSight

sporina wrote: »

hi, I am going to go to a class in the Mardyke this eve. I tried before but even though I was there nearly 1 hr before the class, it was full. And I remember it being a pain to park. So I have been reluctant to try again, up to now that is.
So, is there anywhere I can park easily? Also, do I really need to be there an hr before the class (step and tone)? Between that and parking, its adds a whole lot of time onto a 50 min fitness class..

if you're a student, pop into reception and they'll give you a parking disk so you can park on the mardyke walk. if you're not a student you can use the car park but it has limited spaces at the moment or you can buy a parking disk for 2 euros

not sure about that particular class but if you ring them they're usually very helpful about that stuff