A health and fitness revolution looks set to take off at The Keswick Reminder’s former printworks.
Keswick’s Andy Bryson, of Beyond Fitness, has been granted planning approval by the Lake District National Park Authority to expand the current gym floor space and add on to what is already on offer at the Southey Yard-based premises.
Andy told the Reminder they were “obviously delighted” to have the planning approved for the larger unit on the site, off Southey Street.
“The existing gym has been operating in Keswick as G’Day Fitness since December 2022 and since taking over in November last year we have rebranded to Beyond Fitness Keswick.
“By getting planning approval we will be making the gym floor 3.5 times the size of the current gym, increasing the capacity of our group fitness classes, developing the offering of our personal trainers and housing sports therapy to cover rehab, injury and recovery.
“The eventual goal is to add in a recovery space which incorporates the ever popular hot and cold therapy to elevate rest and recovery that take a wider view of their health and fitness,” said Andy.
At present, five people are employed locally in various roles across the business.
“We’d hope to fill further positions such as personal trainers, group fitness instructors, rehab specialists and reception/admin staff once the membership has reached a level they are required.
“Our group fitness studio will also double up as a space to provide local people with the opportunity to hire the space for use with groups,” he said.
Andy explained that the gym’s membership had grown to 125 since the business was taken over in November and that growth had been fairly organic – using social media to help showcase what they have to offer.
“Our goal for the next 12 to 18 months is to focus on educating our members and the local community to build confidence in an environment they may not necessarily feel 100 per cent comfortable in.
“For example we support all new members with a six-week training plan after an initial induction with one of our trainers which is guided online including videos to follow and tracked workouts as well as our welcome pack covering nutrition, lifestyle and training.
“We have more resources coming this year which will be included under a membership covering nutrition, training, sleep, recipes and menopause and more.
“We will also have a separate group fitness studio which means we’ll be able to offer more class times and have a space for other instructors who may teach other classes to rent the studio out. We currently offer circuits, indoor cycling, strength and mobility and pump classes.”
Andy added: “By moving next door our capacity at the moment is largely peaked, however with the expansion we aim to be able to deliver a space that could hold between 350 to 400 members locally.
“As well as offering memberships we also offer class passes for those who wish to utilise our class programme without the commitment of a membership which you can buy in blocks of five or 10 classes.
“Largely the move is about providing a facility to locals who want to improve their health and fitness. When rebranding the business one of the key messages was to have a space and name that not just reflected the gym but also that it’s way more than just workouts, sets and reps — it’s what it can do for all areas of our lives, hence Beyond.”
Andy has been involved in the health and fitness industry since 2006 after completing his training in sports therapy and going on to complete my personal training qualifications.
“I decided to make a move over to New Zealand in early 2008 where I worked for a family run gym company called Cityfitness which became a national chain with 21 gyms across the country. I was fortunate enough to work across all areas of the business and became a Regional Director overseeing operation of seven sites.
“I’ve been back in Keswick for 10 years, where I set up my sports therapy clinic (A2B Sports & Movement Therapy), originally in Greta Gardens, but have since moved to Luptons Court about 18 months ago.
“By moving the clinic again into the gym it will be a way of merging both rehab, training and recovery.”
