A Spark of Change. No Shortcuts. Chris’s Friday Fire forms part of the new “A Spark of Change. No Shortcuts.”  series. Real people. Real effort. Real results. He didn’t chase quick fixes. He didn’t jump on extremes. He made a decision. “I wanted to lose weight and get fitter for my 50th birthday.” That was the spark. From 107kg to 95kg Since September 2024, Chris has lost 12kg , moving from 107kg down to 95kg. A significant transformation, as he crosses his 50th year. “Since

When Running Wasn’t Enough Anymore Rich didn’t come to GB1fitness chasing a new identity. He came because something honest clicked into place: What used to work wasn’t enough anymore. Running had been his “health anchor” since his early forties, but as the years stacked up, the effort started costing more and paying back less. Not in a dramatic, end-of-the-road way. Just in that familiar way people hit in their fifties, when you realise fitness isn’t only about getting your h

On Sunday, Owen stood on the start line of the Cattle Creep A Little Further 10-mile race. A proper event, a hilly course, and his first ever running race. 1 hour 33 minutes later, he crossed the line having done exactly what Friday Fire stories are about. Trying something new, committing to the process, and discovering what happens when consistency stacks up over time. Owen running the Cattle Creep with his running buddies, Jens and Neilly B From Cycling to GB1fitness Owen o

Consistency Over Shortcuts Neil joined GB1fitness nearly three years ago looking to improve his fitness, but what kept him coming back wasn’t just the training itself. It was the environment and the people around him. “Regular circuit training with what now feels like family is what keeps me looking forward to coming week after week.” That consistency became the foundation for everything that followed. Turning up regularly, combining strength work with running, and building h

Training With Purpose Reaching 100 GB1fitness classes is a milestone at any age. For Cathi, now in her 70s, it represents a clear decision to prioritise strength, health and consistency. Her focus wasn’t aesthetic or performance driven, but centred on maintaining muscle tone and supporting bone strength as she gets older. “As you get older, you lose muscle tone and your bones need strengthening, so I was focussed on improving these things.” She had tried many different types

Choosing Something Different Fiona didn’t come to GB1fitness because running wasn’t working. She came because she knew it wasn’t enough on its own anymore. Like many runners, she kept hearing the same message. Strength matters. Especially as the years roll on. “I talked a lot about trying something different other than running to keep fit. You hear so much about strengthening and maintaining muscle mass as you get older, so I thought I’d give it a try.” That decision wasn’t a

Strength That Supports Real Life Maria didn’t join GB1fitness chasing extremes or aesthetics alone. She wanted to feel stronger, more capable, and better equipped for this stage of life. Since joining, that strength has come steadily and meaningfully. Her stamina has improved, her body feels more resilient, and she’s developed a confidence in what she can do physically. “I have gained strength and stamina and feel so much stronger now than I was before joining, which is great

When Wanting Change Feels Overwhelming Mort knew what he wanted. Better fitness. Some weight loss. To feel healthier and more confident in himself. What stopped him wasn’t a lack of intention, it was self-consciousness. Traditional gyms felt intimidating. The idea of walking into an unfamiliar space, surrounded by people who looked like they knew exactly what they were doing, made starting feel uncomfortable rather than exciting. “I wanted to improve my fitness and lose some

When Effort Isn’t the Problem Collette wasn’t struggling because she wasn’t trying. She was running several times a week, showing up consistently, and doing what she believed she should  be doing. Yet progress had stalled, energy was low, and frustration was growing. “Despite all the effort I was putting in, I felt stuck. My running wasn’t improving, I was constantly tired, and I found myself complaining that I’d plateaued.” This is where many people sit for years. Working ha

More Than Training, It’s a Community This week’s Friday Fire is a little different. No single spotlight. No individual transformation. Because sometimes the real success story isn’t one person, it’s everyone. GB1fitness has never just been about reps, sets, or stopwatches. It’s about people. People showing up for themselves, and just as importantly, showing up for each other. Daisy, Jo, Hannah and Stu 'working' together 💪 Strength in Numbers, Progress Together There’s some

Curiosity, Circuits and a Slightly Late First Class When Tina first joined GB1fitness, it wasn’t because she was confident with weights or certain she’d enjoy circuits. Quite the opposite. She was simply intrigued to see whether it was something she could do, or would even like. Her first session set the tone. She turned up late (a habit she proudly admits hasn’t changed), arrived at the old location, and joined straight in, without even booking the class. Not textbook. Very

From “How Hard Can It Be?” to “I Regret Everything Already” Two years ago, Taz took the plunge and joined GB1fitness with the innocent optimism of someone who had absolutely no idea what was coming. She started as Graeme’s very first PT client, the original guinea pig. (Who is Graeme aka GB1?) The test subject. The founding member of “Things Graeme Tries Before They’re Safe for the Public.” For a whole year it was just Taz, a pile of weights, and the Drill Sergeant’s unique a

Why Laura Stayed After Netball “I originally joined GB1 to keep my fitness ticking over during the summer when the netball season finished. But when the new season started, I just carried on coming to class!” Laura expected GB1fitness to be a short-term fix. Instead it became a routine she kept because it worked with her life and actually felt enjoyable. Laura taking centre stage in an end of class pic Outdoor, Practical, and Perfect Timing “I love being outdoors so that’s a

When Jenny first came to GB1fitness , it was because a few friends insisted she’d love it. She wanted strength training to support her running, but the gym had never felt like her place. Standing inside four walls, headphones in, going through repetitive movements? It just didn’t click. So she gave GB1fitness a try and 2.5 years later, she hasn’t looked back. Strength That Transformed Her Running Jenny arrived wanting to get stronger… and she has. Not just a little stronger,

From Recovery to Resilience Four years ago, Rachel joined GB1fitness to improve her strength and fitness for running, adding circuit training alongside her personal training sessions. What started as a way to complement her running soon became a cornerstone of her overall health, both physical and mental. Like many who find themselves juggling busy work and life commitments, Rachel discovered that GB1fitness wasn’t just another workout it was an outlet. A place to destress

Rediscovering Joy in Movement Sometimes fitness isn’t about chasing new goals, it’s about falling back in love  with the process. That’s exactly what happened for Caroline. After years of running, she began to feel the spark fading. The routine felt repetitive, the motivation was harder to find, and the joy of movement had started to slip away. So, she decided to try something different “I was getting bored with running a couple of years ago and thought I’d give circuit class

From Gym Fatigue to GB1fitness Fire When Kathryn first joined GB1fitness, she wasn’t looking for a big change, just something to reignite her motivation. As a dedicated runner, she knew that strength training was essential, but the gym had started to feel repetitive and uninspiring. “I tried out GB1fitness just to see whether it was something I’d enjoy more than the gym. As a runner, I knew strength training was important, but I found it boring… not anymore!” It didn’t take

Transforming Physical and Mental Health Joining GB1fitness has made a huge difference for Terry, both physically and mentally. Over time, Terry has grown stronger and fitter, pushing him/herself with heavier weights and seeing greater benefits from every press-up and squat. “Joining GB1 has made a massive difference to both my physical and mental health. As I've become fitter and stronger, every exercise is now carried out with a heavier weight than when we started, and thank

Sara had always relied on running as her main form of exercise. It was her fitness, stress relief, and personal time. But a persistent knee injury and the physical changes brought on by menopause made even short runs painful and discouraging. Her fitness declined, and she began to lose confidence in her body and abilities. “As a runner I’d never thought I needed to do any other type of exercise, until a niggling knee injury almost stopped me running. My fitness took a nose di

When Annette first joined GB1fitness in early 2023 , she had already completed a course of personal training sessions with Graeme and...