SPN Partner: UCS

UCS Strength and Speed is considered to be the highest quality equipment line in the industry.

UCS manufactures its complete line of racks, glute-hams, platforms, leg-presses, benches, and Plyo-Safe™ equipment at our state-of-the-art plant in North Carolina. Dedicated to research, development and engineering, UCS uses a highly skilled work force to manufacture equipment known for its quality, design and unparalleled safety. Our in-house equipment customization capabilities are unmatched in the industry. All equipment is available in your school or club's unique color combination.

Recent installations include: the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Giants, The University of Arkansas, Boston College, North Carolina State University, and Rutgers University. Click Here to learn more about UCS.

UCS IN ACTION

Facility Equipment

22 X-10 Rack Systems
22 MultiFunction-Benches
8 Glute-Ham Machines
4 Self Standing Dip Stations
1 10’ x 64’ x 2” Plyo-Mat
6 sets of 5 G2 Plyo-Safe™ Boxes

Introduction

Wake Forest University Strength Coaches approached UCS Strength & Speed to assist in redesigning their existing weight room from the ground up. The athletic strength training facility caters to all 16 intercollegiate athletic programs, both women’s and men’s, including football. The existing facility had a wide variety of equipment amassed over several years from several manufacturers. Because of the confined space and numerous machines, the facility felt crowded and dark.

An open floor plan was selected with no raised platforms and clean lines.
In order to prevent the space from feeling confined after the renovation, an open floor plan was selected with no raised platforms and clean lines. The new X-10 Rack was developed because of it’s ability to adapt to all of the program needs while meeting the footprint requirements the facility demanded to be efficient. Careful consideration was given to color scheme of the facility. UCS consulted with interior decorators to ensure that the new facility would appear not only spacious but bright as well.

The Task

The strength training staff at Wake Forest University wanted to be able to easily move throughout the facility even while all 22 stations were being used. A center aisle had to be created to allow the staff to easily move from station to station. With two lines of columns squeezing the racks toward the center of the room it was determined by the staff and UCS that the racks could be no more than 30” deep. In addition to the depth requirements, the rack had to incorporate storage for the new Werksan Bumper Plates (2-25kg, 1-20kg, 1-15kg, 1-10kg, 1-5kg, 1-.1kg & 1-.5kg per side) as well as bar storage for both additional Olympic Bars and Curl Bars. Accuracy was key to ensure all requirements were met, UCS staff paid carful attention to the bumper plate storage, contacting Werksan to gather detailed information on the new bumpers. Benches featured custom embroidered head wraps. Plyo-Mat™ products provide a unique activity zone where the athletes can focus on the task of getting faster, stronger and jumping higher. The facility is now brighter, feels larger and is more efficient.

In order to maintain the open floor plan and eliminate additional equipment, the new racks had to be compatible with the UCS Flip-Away docking stations and the Hydraulic Multi-Function Bench (A-730420) for bench exercises. The built in spotters platform and tip-n’-roll capability that are standard features of the Multi-Function Bench assured that no additional bulky attachments were necessary on the racks.

Benches featured custom embroidered head wraps.
The goal of a single station for all training exercises required UCS Engineers to develop a new attachment, the Torso-Twist Trainer. This attachment had to be permanently mounted to the Rack, but be easily moved so as to not be in the way during other activities. With consistent communication between UCS Engineers and the Wake Forest staff the overall design was successfully achieved.

At the very start of the project it was the plan of the Wake Forest University Staff to have a dedicated Plyo-Training area. With UCS’s extensive experience in custom Gym Mat products a specially designed 10’ x 64’ crack-less Plyo-Mat™ was created complete with 5 custom logos and the ability to be folded by one person to easily clean the area surrounding the mat. The 2” thick Plyo-Mat™ provides a unique activity zone where the athletes can focus on the task of getting faster, stronger and jumping higher.

Plyo-Mat™ products provide a unique activity zone where the athletes can
focus on the task of getting faster, stronger and jumping higher.
Result

Taking the time to design and prototype ideas at several meetings, the new Wake Forest University Strength & Conditioning facility is a prime example of UCS’s dedication to working with coaches and exceeding their expectations.

The facility is now brighter, feels larger and is more efficient. A great deal of credit is due to the coaching staff who came in with a plan and worked with UCS staff to bring their vision of the new facility to fruition.

UCS is proud to have worked with such a talented group of coaches and looks forward to the many seasons of success at the University that this new room will no doubt play a large roll in.