Gym pair stretch out and open to the public
TWO friends who launched their own gym in Stockport spent over £15,000 extending and refurbishing it in just four months.
George Powell, 22 and business partner James McCall, 25, opened The Locker in Houldsworth Mill in Reddish last year.
Originally the gym was not open to the public, with clients training one-on-one with qualified personal trainers.
However George, who has been a personal trainer for four years, and his business partner James bought the unit next door to extend the gym and open to the public.
All the work was completed by the pair themselves with the help of family and friends, often working into the early hours.
George’s fiancé, Lois Kirby, said: “They have put in so much hard work and it’s amazing what they’ve done considering how young they are.
“They did everything themselves - the plastering, painting and laying the floors. George is also into his artwork so he even did the art on the walls. Friends and family have been helping out over the past four months and now it looks amazing.”
The two friends will be hosting a launch party on May 16, which will also celebrate the firstyear anniversary of The Locker.
Family, friends and local businesses will be invited with Manchester-based restaurant Kettlebell Kitchen providing healthy and nutritious food.
There will also be a raffle to raise money for charities including McMillian Cancer Support.
“I’ve been to a lot of gyms in the area and the atmosphere at The Locker is just amazing and so different to other gyms.”
The gym takes exercising back to the basics and features weight-base military training equipment, including weights, tyres and ropes.
As well as fully qualified personal trainers, there are two sports therapists on site.
The Locker will also be holding fitness classes, including spinning sessions, baby yoga and semi-private personal training packages.