Anyone who wants to exercise on a superyacht currently goes to the gym. Bremen-based multiplex GmbH is now turning the foredeck into a work-out zone.

Large yachts over 60 meters in length almost always have a gym on board. Because who is used to regular sport units on land, would not like to do without it on the water. The rooms are often equipped with three to five machines and are located on the lower deck in 90 percent of cases. It has to be said, however, that they are mainly designed for owners and guests who like to work out indoors and on equipment and are used to doing so. Fans of ball sports such as volleyball, basketball or even badminton have had to resort to courts in the vicinity of the harbor or anchorage and leave the yacht for this purpose.

The Bremen-based multiplex GmbH has recently provided a remedy with its sports court concept – provided the foredeck of the yacht is large enough. Jan Reiners, CEO of the northern German yacht equipment specialist, says: „The bow area of large yachts is often only used as a touch-and-go platform for the helicopter. So when we were first approached with the desire to find a solution for how ball sports could be played on the foredeck, I was electrified.“ Together with his 20-member team, Reiners developed a system of telescopic carbon supports and a fine-mesh net that can be stretched to a height of 4.30 meters. The supports, which weigh only eight kilograms, are inserted into the deck by bayonet, rotated and locked in place; they are positioned at precisely defined intervals so that the net, which is subdivided by many zippers, can be tensioned very conveniently.

Jan Reiners: „All parts are unambiguously labeled, so that the assembly is extremely easy for the crew. You should allow around two hours for a sports court measuring around 170 square meters.“

Any sport for which there is enough space can be played on the fenced-in field. A classic is the game of basketball, for which multiplex naturally also supplies the appropriate basket. Equally, soccer, volleyball, table tennis or badminton can be played on deck. If the foredeck is large enough, the installation of a full-fledged tennis court is also possible.

As voluminous as the Sportscourt looks when assembled, as handy it can be packed. As usual from multiplex, the Bremen equipment specialist delivers all parts in padded bags, the maximum length is two meters. This way, the outdoor gym disappears conveniently into any storage space when not in use.