Resolved to improve your fitness in 2024?
At the Vice-Chancellor’s admission ceremony in January 2023, Professor Irene Tracey mentioned the need to invest in our sport offer for students and staff
Recently, the gyms at the Iffley Road Sports Centre and the University Club on Mansfield Road have been fully refurbished to boast state of the art Matrix fitness equipment. This £30,000 upgrade is greatly enhancing the fitness experience for all members.
Matt Queralt, Assistant General Manager at Oxford University Sport, provides insight into his varied role at Iffley Road – and shares advice to help you achieve your own fitness goals.
Find activities you enjoy, set realistic goals and celebrate your progress along the way.
With consistency and perseverance, you can experience the many benefits that regular exercise has to offer.
Matt Queralt
What enticed you to the role at Oxford University Sport?
I’ve always been passionate about all things sport. So that, together with the opportunity of working for such a prestigious institution, was what initially attracted me. It was originally intended as a six-month post – that was 25 years ago. I obviously love my job.
So what makes your job so enjoyable?
It’s great to work on something that really makes a difference. We recently installed a pod lift to our pool, developed for athletes competing at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. It’s transformed access for our users with mobility issues.
But mostly it’s the people that make it so enjoyable: the staff, students and community members whom I have got to know well over the years. We’re one big family, working together to create a great working and training environment.
Few people claim to have one – but what might a typical day look like for you?
It’s an early start. Even though I’m a morning person, getting up at 4.30am to get everything ready for 6am opening is always challenging. Unsurprisingly, my key focus is health and fitness and delivering a safe customer experience.
But along with instructing classes, I’ll also be working to ensure various projects are on track. I’m likely to have meetings to plan upcoming events and review how services are performing.
I head off around 3pm to pick up my three wonderful kids before delivering personal training sessions in the evenings. Then it’s dinner and rest!
You probably see an influx of new people every January – have you got any advice to help people stick with their resolution to get fitter?
Yes! Consistency is the best way to get fitter – and don’t overthink it.
Give yourself realistic and achievable goals. Start by planning activity into your schedule twice a week. That might be going to the gym, taking a fitness class or going for a brisk walk. As your fitness and confidence grow you can then start increasing activity.
What do you think staff might not be aware of regarding the sports-related offers provided by the University?
We have excellent facilities available at our sites, including the 25m, 8-lane pool at Iffley Road and the 24-hour Mansfield Road gym at the University Club for staff and postgraduates. For people who find it easier to fit in exercise at home, our Active Anywhere membership offer provides online access to 500 classes for £3.50 a month.
For those keen to join a gym who feel it would be beneficial to have a personal trainer, you can book a complimentary session from our partners YOUR Personal Training when paying for membership.
Additionally, staff and student members of Oxford University Sport can also access over 100 other gyms across the UK through UNIversal Gym Membership. We also have car parking and electrical charging points for members, along with ample bike racks.
What’s coming up for Oxford University Sport in 2024?
In 2024, we’ll be marking the 70th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s famous run at Iffley track. This celebrates the first time that the one-mile race was completed in less than four minutes.
We have an incredible team of highly motivated and brilliant instructors in the Gallie-Lewis-Dean fitness studio and run over 35 classes each week – everything from circuit training to Zumba. This year, we’ll be looking to diversify this offer even further.
We’ve been working on a Happy Body Healthy Mind pilot with St Catherine’s College. This physical activity and mental wellbeing intervention helps support students who may be experiencing mental health difficulties. If the pilot is successful, we’d like to roll this out to all other colleges.
Finally, for those of us who don’t currently exercise regularly – have you got any words of encouragement to help change our minds?
Absolutely! Studies have proven huge health benefits of incorporating regular exercise into your life. These include reducing the risk of chronic diseases from heart issues to helping boost your immune system. Other big benefits often seen are an increase in energy levels and enhanced mental wellbeing.
Remember, starting small and gradually increasing your activity level is key. Find activities you enjoy, set realistic goals and celebrate your progress along the way. With consistency and perseverance, you can experience the many benefits that regular exercise has to offer.
