Throughout the UK one of people’s favourite hobbies is going to the gym, it’s a place of freedom and solidarity where all there is to worry about is you, the machine, and your health.
However, for many low-income individuals, they aren’t able to afford the extortionate prices at certain gyms.
CLCS can be found on Crouch Street in Colchester and is offering free memberships to those who fit the criteria, as the gym looks to appeal to low-income individuals who need help.
David Simmons, who is a Co-Director of Changing Lives Community services (CLCS), said his initiative was “to get more people active at a low cost, aimed specifically at low-income individuals, refugees, and young carers.”
Initially the CLCS gym in the community hub was “working really well, but there was an overflow of people wanting to use it. So, when the building next door came up for rent, I just wanted to go for it. It was a bit of a roll of the dice because we did not have any initial funding, so we had to use our reserves, but I felt that it was well needed within the community to have its own gym”.
David also added that he “wants low-income individuals to come in and gain the support that they need, both physical and mental wellbeing, and the gym isn't just restricted to working out though as at CLCS can also offer support on food, and nutritional advice”.
Ronni Harrison who is a personal trainer at the gym, admitted that at first “I thought that the gym would be too small to provide the necessary help and support” Though since the opening of the gym in early September Ronni said she “completely changed her opinion, and I believe that the gym is perfect for low-income individuals to receive help with fitness, and also have a safe place to work out”
Ella Edwards who is the gym manager, and plays for AFC Sudbury Women alongside Ronni elaborated that “we (the players) find our performance levels are higher because of work we do in the gym, and we would like people who use the gym to be able to find that they are able to perform better in everyday activities and have a stronger frame of mind throughout the day due to work they have done her at CLCS”.
Additionally, David wants the gym to be able to help larger organisations such as the National Health Service.
He commented that “There is such a high demand on the NHS, with obesity and cholesterol and health risks so having a free gym supporting those that truly need it will hopefully bring the waiting times down and we can also get referrals from doctors, nurses, and other organisations that see the gym being a positive thing for their patients and clients”.
