Member Article

Hull gym group celebrate hat-trick of national awards

Staff at a Hull gym group were celebrating after all three of their centres were honoured with a ‘centre of excellence award’ at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Steve and Sarah Webster, who own three Gymophobics franchises based in Hull, Hessle and Beverley, opened the centres with the aim of revolutionising exercise for women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

They were attending the franchises’ national awards evening in Nottingham last Saturday (11th) where they were ‘delighted’ to collect the trio of awards.

Steve Webster, who launched Hull Gymophobics in 2007, said: “We’ve had particularly good feedback across the last 12 months about how the members are finding it. It’s good to be able to help them when they may not consider attending a gym in the first place.”

“We’re a ladies only facility, it’s non sweaty and only takes 30 minutes, our ladies love it.

“Unlike conventional gyms, Gymophobics has members as young as 13 and as old as 85, and prides itself on welcoming ladies into a friendly environment suitable for all abilities”.

Hull is the largest of the franchises 52 centres, and features two air resistance circuits, a coffee lounge, class area, relaxation lounge, as well as a hair and beauty salon.

Following a decade of success at Hull, the Websters opened Hessle Gymophobics, a smaller, more intimate circuit, before finally opening Beverley in May 2017.

The centre of excellence award is issued to franchises that achieved a score of 90% or higher in their annual inspection.

Sarah Webster, who balances her time at all three gyms, said: “There are lots of fantastic centres that are part of the franchise, and to be honoured as a centre of excellence is a wonderful feeling.

“We’re nothing like a gym, you really do have to see it to believe it. Most of our members would have never dreamed of walking through the doors of a gym, but our environment offers them a comfortable alternative that puts them at ease.

“We owe it to our team who work tirelessly throughout the year and always go the extra mile.

“We’d also like to thank our members who make the gym the environment that it is.”

Donna Hubbard, Founder of Gymophobics, said: “Steve and Sarah have been with us since the early years of Gymophobics, and they are a fantastic advert for the brand.

“They are very passionate about their centres and I think the members pick up on that, they empower what Gymophobics stand for.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Thomas Hammersley .