Gold Coast gym commits to child welfare rather than profit
In an industry worth over $1 billion dollars and growing, there are certainly profits to be made in the fitness sector, but there are few gyms that set out not to make a cent.
Project Sparta, an exclusive, high performance, high altitude training facility in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, is the creation of fitness industry veteran Leo Young, the current Chief Executive of Synergy Fitness, the largest and most innovative fitness equipment manufacturer in Australia.
With over 35 years’ experience in the fitness and sports industries, Project Sparta brings together Young’s business acumen and knowledge of the fitness industry to support a personal passion – seeing an end to global human trafficking and child sexual slavery.
Sponsored entirely by Synergy Fitness, Project Sparta offers free access to the club to people who make a minimum annual donation of $2,500 a year to Australian-based charity partner, Project Futures.
Project Futures is a not for profit organisation founded by social entrepreneur Stephanie Lorenzo in 2009, which combats human trafficking and slavery by supporting services that rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate victims and survivors in both Australia and Cambodia.
Lorenzo, now the Chief Executive of Project Futures, explains “it is incredibly rare to meet someone like Leo.
“His passion for this cause reflects my own and Project Sparta will be his most important legacy to the world.
In addition to Young, a range of big name sporting identities are backing Project Sparta as Ambassadors including Mick Fanning (three times world surfing champion), Stephanie Gilmore (six times world surfing champion), Robbie McEwen (three times Tour de France Green Jersey sprint champion), Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin (two times world snowboard boardercross champion) and Kurt Tippett (AFL Sydney Swans).
These Ambassadors and over 20 active members who are current or former world champions are now lending their support to the cause.
Commenting on her involvement, Gilmore explains “it’s an honour to show my support for Project Sparta.
“Every human life is extremely valuable but unfortunately there are still a huge number of inhumane crimes where that genuine level of respect and compassion for each other barely exists.
“Now through Project Sparta we have an opportunity to raise awareness and help make a difference with Project Futures on their mission to take action against the issue of human trafficking and slavery.”
Project Sparta is a unique facility, with membership strictly limited to just 300 people and offering the opportunity to train alongside elite athletes, with members also getting exclusive access to a leading high altitude training facility, where their donation is used to change lives.
Project Sparta Manager Robert Darley explains “whether training for an event, preparing for a trek in the Himalayas, or simply losing some weight, the positive outcomes of exercise are enhanced with Project Sparta's altitude training rooms, extensive range of high performance conditioning ergometers and strength equipment.”
Project Sparta has qualified trainers who provide both support and guidance with altitude training, as well as general strength and conditioning.
Darley adds “whether it is functional training, strength and fitness, altitude training, or even challenging yourself on the transverse rock climbing wall, there is something for everyone.
“Regardless of age and or fitness level, Project Sparta is a win-win, with members challenging themselves physically and mentally, as they ‘train with champions’ and ‘train for change’.”
Membership fees for Project Sparta are paid direct to Project Futures at a rate of $50 per week or $2,500 annually.
To find out more go to the Project Sparta website at www.projectsparta.com.au
Click here to contact Synergy Fitness via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.
Images: Project Sparta Ambassadors (from left) Matt Poole, Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, Mick Fanning and Matt Bevilacqua (top). Other images show the interior and equipment at Project Sparta.
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