Opening its doors last month, The Temple @ Humber Street is a brand new health and wellbeing space aiming to help members achieve the right level of work-life balance.
The brainchild of Riccardo Seaton, Dale Robinson and Wayne Audsley, The Temple is not your typical gym.
This is clear as soon as you walk into the unit - which was formerly the home of Kingston Art Group; the scent of fresh coffee greets you, rather than the quintessential gym aroma of body spray and sweat.
On the ground floor, there’s a cosy cafe area and not a barbell or treadmill in sight. Instead, it’s a relaxing space where you can grab a pre- or post-workout meal.
“We’re trying a different approach to fitness,” explains Wayne, also co-owner of East Yorkshire-based financial advisors, James Financial.
“We recognise that modern life is hectic, especially for those who work at C4DI and the surrounding offices. The Temple is all about short, HIIT workouts - you come in, do your thing for 30 minutes and get straight back to your desk.”
The idea for the unique space sprouted during a trip to New York. Ricardo, who also owns the vintage shop Poorboy Boutique just a few doors down, noticed that the office workers from across the pond do fitness a bit differently from us.
“I noticed loud music blaring out from the windows above shops and offices,” he tells us.
“When I asked what all the noise was, someone informed me it was fitness classes. It’s something you don’t really see in the city centre in Hull, but I immediately thought the concept would work perfectly for the Fruit Market area.”
The launch of The Temple comes at a time when a lot of research is being carried out into the effects of a sedentary, office lifestyle. The Temple aims to help members be their best selves, mentally and physically.
Research has shown that exercise and movement during the work day can not only help with weight and physical fitness, but also improve mental health and wellbeing.
When you exercise, your brain releases a hormone called serotonin that helps you feel better, reduces stress and stimulates mood and emotion.
Meanwhile, certain activities like yoga and pilates can correct posture and help with circulation. Great news if you spend most of the day hunched over a keyboard.
The Temple is currently offering a range of classes, including HIIT, boxing, dance, yoga, pilates and condition circuits. On top of this, the team at The Temple has put together simple 30-minute workout routines for members to focus on during their sessions.
There is also the option for personal training where a qualified instructor works with you to create a programme based on your goals and abilities.
“We’re hiring out our treatment room to enhance your experience at The Temple. The room is used for sports massage, beauty treatments and soon IV vitamin shots that are designed to boost health, performance and recovery,” Wayne adds.
“Our goal is to create a lifestyle space, where people can come in, work out, grab some food, socialise and go back to their desks feeling refreshed and healthy.”
C4DI members Label Worx have been enjoying The Temple, visiting a few times a week. Some have reported that they have seen a boost in productivity when returning to the office.
“The Temple is so close to the office and it’s allowed us to exercise on a lunch time. This has really helped my general buzz about a day and afternoons are far more productive,” Alex Powell, Digital Media and Artist Relations Manager at Label Worx.
To find out more, please visit The Temple @ Humber Street website. Stay up to date with The Temple on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Do you have an interesting story to tell the rest of Hull's tech and business community? Get in touch with news@c4di.net for the opportunity to be featured in our weekly newsletter and on our social channels.
