When the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Campus Recreation team set out to reimagine its fitness space, the goal was clear: deliver more value to students through expanded access, new training modalities and a space that embodied the spirit of the Cornhuskers.
The result is the Power Room, a 3,700-square-foot functional training space designed with versatility, safety and identity in mind. Central to the project’s success was Performance Beast and Performance Rally flooring from Ecore Athletic.
“We had three goals with this project,” said Amy Lanham, director of campus recreation. “We wanted to add more fitness room space, right-size our locker rooms with amenities and improve universal access to the pool. That drove the overall reconfiguration and layout of the facility.”
Kyle Minchow, strength training and conditioning coordinator, said demand also played a major role in shaping the space.
“We had a lot of high-demand equipment and not enough of it – especially dumbbells, racks and cables. So, the idea was: how do we bring all of that up while adding something new like functional fitness or CrossFit-style workouts, which we didn’t have a space for before?”
To support the multifunctional layout and meet the demands of both student athletes and general users, the university selected Ecore Athletic surfaces.
Performance Beast is a durable, 10.5mm vulcanized composition rubber surface that was installed across more than 1,300 square feet to accommodate heavy weightlifting and high-impact training. The installation featured six custom inlaid Nebraska “N” logos placed inside the facility’s six lifting platforms, blending performance with pride and reinforcing the university’s Cornhusker identity with every rep.
Performance Rally, another high-performance surface from Ecore Athletic, was installed across approximately 2,400 square feet to support functional and cross-training workouts. This dual durometer system is an ergonomically advanced surface engineered to absorb the impact force related to aggressive functional training.
The new Power Room isn’t just another gym, it’s a space engineered to promote engagement, inclusivity and well-being.
“We’re calling this space the Power Room, and that comes from our Husker student power framework,” said Lanham. “It stands for Purpose, Ownership, Wellbeing, Engagement and Relationships. It’s meaningful for our students, and now they have a space that reflects that.”