ARRC NEWS
A New Chapter for the Imjin Barracks Gymnasium
WO2( QMSI) Thomas Steele
Since stepping into my role as the QMSI in June, I’ ve had the privilege of overseeing some of the amazing activities taking place within the Imjin Barracks Gymnasium, a facility that plays a vital role in the health, morale, and operational readiness of our personnel. It’ s been an exciting few months, and I’ m proud to share some of the key improvements we’ ve made to enhance the gym experience for everyone.
One of the most impactful changes has been a £ 36,000 uplift in gym equipment. This investment has allowed us to replace outdated machines and introduce a range of new Technogym and Wattbike equipment. From upgraded cardio stations, to added strength training equipment, the gym is now better equipped to support a wide variety of
fitness goals. Whether you’ re training for operational fitness or simply looking to stay active, the new kit offers something for everyone.
But improving the gym isn’ t just about physical upgrades, it’ s also about making the space more accessible and userfriendly. That’ s why we’ ve revamped our SharePoint page, giving it a fresh look and more functionality. The updated site now includes detailed information about training schedules and health resources. Most importantly, it features a new online court booking system, allowing users to reserve football, basketball and badminton courts quickly and easily. No more waiting around or chasing down availability, everything is now just a few clicks away.
These changes are part of a broader effort to modernise how we manage and promote physical training across the barracks. I’ ve worked closely with the team to ensure that the improvements reflect the needs and feedback of our users. We’ re committed to creating a space that’ s not only functional but also welcoming and enjoyable.
Looking ahead, we will continue building on this momentum. We’ re exploring new group training sessions and expanding our digital resources. My goal is to make the gym a central hub for fitness, wellbeing, and camaraderie, a place where everyone feels motivated to improve and support one another.
The response so far has been fantastic. I’ ve seen more people using the facilities, engaging with the SharePoint page, and taking advantage of the new booking system. It’ s clear that these upgrades are making a difference, and I’ m grateful for the support and enthusiasm from everyone involved.
As we move forward, I encourage all personnel to make the most of what the gym has to offer. Whether you’ re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, the Imjin Barracks Gymnasium is here to support you every step of the way.
ARRC Running Club
Maj Ian Challens
Following the ARRC team’ s success at the Army 10 km championships earlier in the year, there haven’ t been any further competitive events over the summer. Looking ahead, the cross-country season starts up in November with Army events straight after Ex AVENGER TRIAD 25.
The Allied Rapid Running Club has continued to meet over the summer on Monday evenings at 1730 outside the Officers’ Mess. The social run is open to all( staff and their families) as an informal event to have a run-out in the local area for all standards.
14 WINTER 2025 the imjin @ HQARRC NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps @ HQARRC