Personal trainer helps boost fitness and mental health

Hundreds of people in Albrighton and Shifnal have received a boost to their fitness and mental health thanks to the efforts of a local personal trainer.

The doors at @The-Hub (the brainchild of Rich Woodman) have been officially opened after a two-month refurbishment project was completed by SM Foulger Installations that has seen the Cosford Grange Farm Shop transformed into a place where people of all abilities can train and participate in over 30 classes every week.

More than £50,000 has been invested into creating the community-inspired venue, which will house two private PT rooms, 25 spin bikes, a central class area, wet room and a host of the latest boxing and gym equipment. A new sound and LED/disco lights system has also been installed to help create the right atmosphere for an exciting line-up of fitness classes.

Aston Villa goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler was given the task of officially opening @The-Hub and during a ribbon cutting ceremony, he praised the local spirit that has turned the vision into a reality.

“Lockdown has caused a lot of issues around mental health and people not getting enough exercise, so there is a real need for a local venue that can support individuals of all abilities to feel better in and about themselves,” said Rich, who set up RW Fitness ten years ago.

“@The-Hub is all about community, whether you are doing classes with your friends, using one of our buddies to help you in one-to-one sessions or you get a buzz from exercising with other people - it's a place where you can come, be yourself and hopefully get fitter and healthier in the process.

“What we’ve tried to do is create a venue that other fitness providers can take advantage of, and I’m delighted four businesses have already signed up to run their own classes, including Leanne Anderson (Compass Fitness), Rebecca Jenks (Spirit Warrior Yoga), Hayley Baker (Boogie Bounce) and Emma Pickering, who is bringing Pole Fit to the masses.

“We’ve also got a link-up with Bright Star Boxing and I’m proud to announce that Clubbercise and BollyFit, an Indian dance fitness fusion that is proving extremely popular, have been added to our line-up."

There will be a strong focus on getting children and teenagers involved, with classes during the school summer holidays that will be free of charge and that will give 4 to 16-year-olds the opportunity to participate in HIIT classes, Boxercise, circuits and other fun activities. If there is enough demand, they will become a permanent fixture and will be offered as after school classes.

Pictured: Rich Woodman with his wife Carly