Emily's vision to create a safe space for nervous gym-goers becomes reality

After being intimidated by visiting the gym and being unfamiliar with the equipment, Emily Ingham took matters into her own hands and is now gearing up for the opening of her small fitness centre.
Business-owner Emily is gearing up for her small gym to open its doors next month.Business-owner Emily is gearing up for her small gym to open its doors next month.
Business-owner Emily is gearing up for her small gym to open its doors next month.

The 22 year old, from Lostock Hall, has planned to create a safe space for those who feel uncomfortable with exercising in public gyms.

Her past experiences left her confused with how to use much of the equipment and says she felt the 'fear of being judged.'

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"My vision has always been to create a safe and quiet space for people who find gyms intimidating and give everyone a space where they feel comfortable exercising. A couple of years ago, I wanted to join the gym but I just didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know how to use equipment and wouldn't dare try anything for fear of being judged," she said.

Emily claims she felt 'intimidated' when visiting the gym, and took matters into her own hands.Emily claims she felt 'intimidated' when visiting the gym, and took matters into her own hands.
Emily claims she felt 'intimidated' when visiting the gym, and took matters into her own hands.

"I completed a personal training course to teach myself because I didn't want to look stupid in front of other people. From there, I started running bootcamp sessions at St Aiden's Primary school in Bamber Bridge to be able introduce people to the way of exercising that I learnt."

It was important to Emily that she made her bootcamp sessions catered to all abilities, adapting each exercise for those who were experienced and those who had little previous involvement with fitness.

She said: "I made the bootcamp for any ability and ran the bootcamp in groups of 20. The school setting meant that people felt less intimidated. Towards the end of lockdown, I had the idea of running more focused one on one sessions to build peoples knowledge and then set up a mini gym in the back garden.

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"The more I spoke to clients, it was clear that the majority of people felt too scared to go to the gym and said they felt uncomfortable."

From her garden to an old wool shop in Lostock Hall, Emily took her ideas to the next level and became self employed at the young age of 22 - making the jump to open her own small fitness centre on Hope Terrace.

As a way to meet new people and become more familiar with exercise, Emily made the career change from working for her family school uniform business and plans to offer consultations to give newbies some reassurance.

Emily commented: "I had the idea for the studio to provide a place where my clients could still be comfortable and build on their knowledge and their fitness, without pressure of anyone else. There is no pressure on my clients and it is all about them getting fitter and happier in one to one or small group sessions.

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"I already had clients interested from my garden sessions and the response so far has been amazing. I didn't expect it to take off like this. It has made me extremely busy kickstarting this business because I often start at six in the morning until 10pm to fit around people's shifts patterns.

"I am so excited to finally open. I believe that no one should ever be uncomfortable at the gym but from experience, I know the feeling of having different equipment thrown at you. There’s still the finishing touches to do and I don’t think I’ll ever feel likes it’s finished, but it’s here and I love it."

September 19 marks the official opening day for the new mini fitness centre, in Lostock Hall, with Emily offering free workouts for small groups of up to four people.

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