Local Gym Manager Deith Bridges is a man on a mission – a mission to help the residents of Darlington to get fit, and stay fit.

As manager at Physique Health Club [https://www.physiquehealthclub.co.uk/] https://www.facebook.com/physiquehealthclub/for the last four years, Deith wants to make exercise accessible and affordable, with a family atmosphere no matter peoples shape, size, ethnicity or abilities, whilst creating an environment where no one feels uncomfortable or out of place.

“I’m determined to create the best family club in town. There are a lot of gyms in Darlington, but I want to offer a gym with a difference,” he admits, enthusiastically. “I’m actively targeting the unconfident gym-users of Darlington, to make them more confident and increase their fitness levels.”

The Northern Echo:

One of the  family orientated ideas he had was to open a childcare facility.  He is specifically targeting families in Darlington, and by making it easier for those who might struggle for childcare, by providing a Crèche, manned by experienced, DBS-checked staff. 

“I believe we are also the only gym in Darlington to offer creche facilities for parents who want to get back into exercise,” Deith explained. “We’re trying to provide a mental health avenue for parents who have no-one to look after the children while they try to make time for themselves and get back into exercise.  I am also trying to build a family club where all generations feel comfortable and confident to start on their fitness journey.

As part of the Creche package, Deith also offers members a dedicated Crèche PT Hour – Monday to Friday.  These morning sessions are only ever for a small group of parents who use the creche and will only pay £5 for a crèche place plus an hour with a personal trainer – other places will charge a lot more than this.

The crèche [https://m.facebook.com/Physique-Creche-Soft-Play-and-Party-Zone-100663264821720/], which occupies a site just across the road from the gym, takes children from 12 weeks upwards, while parents are exercising.

The Northern Echo:

Deith says: “I’m trying to create a family atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, so the crèche is a big part of that. In the future, I’d like to introduce a Young Physique Gym, where our members’ children, who have attended the creche, can start training in the young person’s gym – at the age of around eight or ten – until they’re ready to join the main gym.” #watchthisspace

As part of the creche facility there is also a Soft Play and Party Zone area that is available for the general public to use.  This can be accessed on a drop-in basis, where we recommend children up to the age of 10 can enjoy some fun while parents have a bit of time-out for a coffee and a catch-up.  Deith would like this business to be supported by the residents of Darlington as due to the recent pandemic it has been hard to get this up and running and is a fantastic place, as the soft play area offers fun and physical challenges for children, where they are always within sight of parents relaxing with a refreshment. Drinks and light meals are available throughout the day, prepared in the on-site kitchen, and the party zone area can be booked out as a private-hire.

The Northern Echo:

Within the club, as part of the general membership plan, Deith and his team includes free personal training sessions at no additional cost – unlike most gyms where PT sessions come as an added extra.

“When someone joins the gym for the first time, they don’t usually know what they’re doing, and they can feel intimidated by the mainstream, multi-national gyms,” says Deith. “I want to make sure that they train properly when they start on their fitness journey, so I’ll help them until they’re confident with their own routine, and build their confidence levels to join classes – this is all part of our customer care package – see our website for more information.

Physique Health Club, Unit 6, Banks House, Banks Rd, Darlington, DL1 1YB

Tel: 01325 381219

Email: info@physiquehealthclub.co.uk

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