Atlas Gymnasium is a Christchurch local gym set inside a solid 1960s warehouse in Addington, run by owner-operators Rich Barnett and James Schroder. Both hold exercise science degrees (BPhEd from the University of Otago) and have used that background, along with years of training experience, to hand-pick effective equipment for what they describe as a functional playground rather than a cookie-cutter franchise gym.
Setting the gym up was a hands-on labour of love — Rich and James worked alongside contractors on jackhammers and floor scrapers to build the space themselves. The result carries a vintage theme, with artwork nodding to bygone eras of people striving to be strong and healthy, plus a social atmosphere with games like table tennis, darts, and cornhole for between training sessions.
All members are offered personalised strength and conditioning programs as well as comprehensive physical assessments, whether the goal is getting leaner, improving aerobic or anaerobic fitness, preventing or rehabbing injuries, building muscle, or increasing strength and power. Rich brings experience training professional rugby league players and managing gyms in Australia and Christchurch, while James brings a background in strength and conditioning coaching for Otago representative teams and a personal history competing in tennis, squash, and hockey at national level.
Atlas Gymnasium describes itself plainly: no cookie-cutter franchise gym, but a true Christchurch local with friendly staff and a community feel. It's housed in a solid 1960s warehouse in Addington, set up by owner-operators Rich Barnett and James Schroder, who used their exercise science degrees and years of training experience to hand-pick equipment for what they call a functional playground.
Getting the gym ready was a genuine DIY project — Rich and James worked alongside their contractors on jackhammers and floor scrapers to build the space themselves. That effort shows in the finished gym's vintage theme, complete with artwork paying tribute to earlier eras of people striving to be strong and healthy, and a social layout that includes games like table tennis, darts, and cornhole to fill the gaps between training sessions.
Rich Barnett holds a BPhEd from the University of Otago, is an ASCA Strength and Conditioning Coach and a Sports Medicine Australia Qualified Sports Trainer, and has over 9 years in the fitness industry. His background includes strength and conditioning coaching for the Balmain Tigers premier rugby league team and the Canterbury Bulls, personal training in Sydney, teaching anatomy, physiology and nutrition to CPIT students, and managing three different gyms across Australia and Christchurch.
James Schroder holds a BPhEd (Hons), also from the University of Otago, and is a NZ Academy of Sport South Island Personal Trainer with over 5 years in the industry. He's worked as Strength & Conditioning Assistant Coach for the Otago ITM Cup team and Head Strength Coach for Otago Squash, and has played age-grade national level tennis, squash, and hockey himself.
Every Atlas member is offered a personalised strength and conditioning program along with a comprehensive physical assessment, whatever the goal — getting leaner, improving fitness, preventing or rehabbing injury, building muscle, or increasing strength and power.
Membership options include a no-contract $18-per-week automatic payment plan, lump sum options at 3 months ($229), 6 months ($439), and 12 months ($849), plus casual options at $15 for a single visit or $25 for a casual week.
Beyond membership, Atlas offers a $50 Initial Assessment and Program that includes health screening, blood pressure, measurements, skinfold/body fat percentage, flexibility, and core and cardiovascular testing, alongside a one-on-one coaching session. Follow-up options include a $15 re-assessment and new programs ranging from a $30 Standard Progressive Program to a $60 Advanced Powerlifting Program, each with a coaching session included.
For those wanting to test their limits, Atlas offers $45 Strength Testing sessions covering lifts like Bench Press, Back Squat, Deadlift, Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and more, run over 1-2 supervised hours. A $60 Nutritional Consultation & Plan covers food logging, macro-nutrient education, and supplement advice. Personal Training is available in 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions, priced at $30, $45, and $60 for members respectively ($45, $60, and $75 for non-members). Group classes are noted as "coming back soon."
Members can access Atlas Gymnasium via swipe card from 5am to 11pm, seven days a week. Staffed hours are more limited — Monday to Thursday 10:30am to 7pm and Fridays 7am to 3pm — though appointments outside these hours can be made by request.
Atlas Gymnasium is located at 23 Disraeli Street, Addington, Christchurch. Rich and James invite anyone curious to just drop in and have a chat while checking out the gym.