by Liam Beville
On 6th June 2024 we visited the Arena Gym in Tralee. The Arena Gym was formerly owned by Maeve Frawley, Ireland Strong Woman competitor and PT. I met Maeve at the gym who was with a client for her personal training business.
The gym is now owned by 3 people, one of whom I know, David Nolan, from my rugby coaching days with Newcastle West RFC.
With me today was Ray Foley, Ireland Strongman Competitor and Niall Reddan, Irelands second best Powerlifter.
Also Jamie McNamara, Irelands 3rd Strongest man, was supposed to join us today but unfortunately could not make it. Next time Jamie pal.
Left to Right: Ray Foley, Jeffrey, Niall Reddan and Ireland’s best Powerlifter, Liam Beville
First up for the GymSpy team was a training session in the gym area.
We found this area not only to be well equipped but more than capable to train for Powerlifting, and also exceptionally clean. In fact it was so clean that we made Niall Reddan shower before training.
The area had a dedicated Deadlift platform with a chalk vestibule, several Power Racks and calibrated plate weight.
Ray Foley can be seen here giving it large with 180kgs for 8 reps in the shoulder press. Ray is Ireland’s strongest master and a world champion Powerlifter. Ray is 2nd to Niall Reddan for most handsome man in Limerick.
I trained legs myself today using the SSB bar on the Power Rack. Great equipment! Tralee Arena Gym caters for all levels of athletes from beginner to elite levels in Powerlifting, Crossfit and also to folks just looking to lose or gain weight etc.
Niall and Ray trained together today as they said I was not handsome enough to train with them. I have reported them for elder abuse, case pending.
After our training session we went upstairs to the Recovery Rooms.
The recovery rooms consisted of
- changing/shower area
- Cryo Tank ( cold water therapy )
- Jacuzzi
- Sauna
We entered the sauna which was a “rock” sauna and the team were in agreement that we find this type of sauna better than the “infra red” sauna as higher temperatures can be achieved.
Next we went into the Cryo tank and with a temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius then we did not stay for too long. We intermittingly used the cryo tank for 1 minute with the jacuzzi for approx. 3-5 minutes
We finished off with 20 minutes of the pressure boots, seen below in the gallery.
This was by far the coldest Cryotherapy tank I was ever in. Myself and Niall Reddan have done several sessions in other businesses but they ranged from 6 to 9 degrees.
I also swim in the sea throughout winter time and again the sea does not compare to the cold that this cryotherapy tank was at for us. The sea is a constant 11 degrees approx. and never goes below 9 degrees so top marks to the Arena Recovery Rooms Tralee