A gym which aims to offer women a non-judgemental environment in which to enjoy their fitness journey has been named the Epping Forest Guardian Gym of the Year.
AbFabFit Club was founded two years ago by married couple Jaine and Mark Alderson.
The ladies only gym in Thornwood has experienced great success so far, swelling its member ship to over 250 in a short space of time.
In January of this year AbFabFit opened a second location in Waltham Abbey to meet its ever-growing demand.
“Its not just a gym, its more of a community”, explained Jaine. “AbFabFit is more geared towards older ladies, most people come in over thirty, however we do have some 20 year olds who enjoy our workouts.”
For its excellent work in providing women who might not have felt at home in regular gyms a safe space to improve their fitness, AbFabFit Club has been named the Epping Forest Guardian Gym of the Year 2020.
“We feel proud and honoured to have won this award,” beamed Jaine. “What we hope this will do is prompt other ladies to realise its easier than they think to keep fit, they can join us and not feel intimidated or judged.”
As policy, AbFabFit Clubs do not have any mirrors in the work-out areas. We have no mirrors.
“Every lady that comes to us feels comfortable the minute they come in, it’s just not like a regular gym. So many of our ladies have tried regular gyms and have disliked it and never gone again and then they come to us and absolutely love it”, Jaine said.
Following the outbreak of coronavirus, the gym was quick to adapt and pivot to online classes and has experienced an increase in members due to the popularity of the online sessions.
But rather than rest at providing fitness services during the lockdown, Jaine says AbFabFit is dedicating itself to ensuring its members mental well-being, as people become increasingly isolated.
The gym holds a ladies lunch every afternoon to help members socialise, and mental wellbeing sessions in the evening to help people who are struggling with isolation.
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