As we roll into the beginning of term, and the passers-by on Pearse Street can resume their momentary eye contact with the patrons of our Trinity Gym, some students may be surprised to find some features of the Sports Centre have changed. Trinity Sport now offers their very own app, available on Google Play, the Apple Store and all other app stores. First coming into use on the 29th of June this year, it offers a new way for students to manage their memberships, accounts and classes.
If you show up to the gym ready to tap your T-Card, as some surely did one weekend during the summer, you will be greeted by a gym employee informing you that you need to download a new app in order to wait fifteen minutes for a bench. Fear not, as the new system offers a more streamlined and convenient manner in which to interact with every aspect of the facilities Trinity Sport has to offer. Having downloaded the app, all that is needed is a student’s TCD login details, the same username and password used for other services such as Blackboard (Microsoft Authenticator included), and a few short steps in order to set up a full profile. After doing so, one can head to the ‘Shop’ section and select a free student membership. Then, the app can be utilised to enter the gym through a new system that involves scanning a barcode on the turnstiles rather than the old system of scanning one’s T-Card. Similar steps are required for staff, as well as alumni members, although they will be offered different rates for bookings.
The app not only offers a new way to access the gym. It also offers users the chance to book various facilities under the umbrella of Trinity Sport, such as the tennis and basketball courts, as well as indoor and outdoor five-a-side. There is also the opportunity to book classes and private lessons, such as group cycling, Pilates, and even personal training sessions. As a gym employee told the University Times, “[the app] is an improvement [on the previous system], though it is still a work-in-progress; they are working on fixing some of the aspects right now. In the past, a lot of students would forget their T Card; now, anyone can access gym facilities on their own at any time [during opening hours]”. Another member of staff, agreeing that the app promises an overall improvement, commented that “It’s different compared to library access, but it does help to record your visits, if you’re trying to get value out of your membership. It keeps a good log of all bookings and expenses.” While it remains to be seen how the student body will interact with the new interface, the app nonetheless looks to be a promising change for Trinity Sport.
