There is an airy, spacious feel about the newly opened Beyond Fitness gym in Hamilton, and it may well represent the shape of things to come in the personal fitness arena.

While there is a spinning studio and a room equipped with physical training workout equipment, you won’t find a forest of cardio workout machines or multiple rows of traditional gym equipment dominating the main floor space.

Instead, the central area of the gym is relatively clutter free to allow it to be used for group workouts and circuit training, or for individual workouts, with equipment put in place or set aside as required.

Behind the new venture are training instructors Sally Wombwell, Abby Kermode and Chuck Morgan.

The three friends started talking about setting up Beyond Fitness in 2012. The idea became a reality when they found vacant premises at Mintflower Place, on Par-la-Ville Road, and set to work transforming the interior into a mixture of workout spaces and training rooms.

“When we saw this space it was just what we wanted. We wanted to have a room for spinning and a great space for personal training,” said Ms Kermode.

Seated in one of the gym’s brightly coloured rooms, she added: “Primarily we wanted to make it fun. People want to get exercise, but it is easier when it is fun and when everything is under one roof.”

The gym had a soft opening in October. Since the start of this year there has been a big increase in the level of interest from people looking to join.

Mr Morgan said: “We are pleasantly surprised at how we are doing so far. We are exceeding our expectations.”

The three founders believe part of the appeal is the gym’s wide variety of classes and trainer-led workouts. They said a number of people who had mixed-and-matched punch cards from a number of other gyms — so they could take the training classes they wanted — have been impressed by the range offered under one roof at Beyond Fitness.

Ms Kermode said: “People loved it from the first time they came in — the colours and the vibrant atmosphere. We’ve had people come here with punch cards from four or five gyms, that now realise they can get all those classes here in one place.”

Keeping class numbers manageable is a key consideration at Beyond Fitness. The trainers seek to have group classes no larger than 12 or 15 to allow a more personal approach.

Head trainer Ms Wombwell said: “I’ve been in the fitness industry for 30 years. It was always my passion to have my own place. The fun thing is important to me. There is a serious side, but you also want to make it fun.”

That philosophy is reflected in the names of workout classes on offer, which include Beyond Boxing, Beyond Strength and Conditioning, Beyond Spinning and Beyond Strength.

The trainers have varying degrees of experience from working at other gyms or as personal fitness instructors. Referring to Beyond Fitness as a “shared goal”, Mr Morgan said: “We have travelled through a lot of different gyms. We have brought the best parts to create something that is unique.”

Explaining the spacious central training area, Ms Kermode said: “People are surprised that there is this big space. You have to be more imaginative using that space.”

When The Royal Gazette visited the gym the central space was being used for stretching and workouts using free weights, medicine balls and kettlebells.

The gym, which is open six days a week, has a number of assistant trainers who bring additional fitness instruction specialities.

Members can pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to classes, a yearly membership fee, or alternatively purchase a punch card for 10 or 20 classes of their choice.

Beyond Fitness also has a schools’ programme.

“We have a school that comes in for conditioning class as part of their PT, and we would like to welcome other groups of kids and teams,” said Ms Kermode.

Ms Wombwell added: “We also have a kids’ programme once a week, for the 5-7 age group and the 8-12 age group. It provides fun and games for the little ones.”

The gym has plans to promote scavenger hunts and corporate competition.

Beyond Fitness has started a “happy hour” event once a month to bring members together to enjoy a workout and to socialise.

“People want to feel like they are part of a family. We are trying to bring all the people at the gym together for a happy hour event. It’s about coming together,” explained Ms Kermode.

When asked what she hoped people would discover at Beyond Fitness, she said: “I would hope that people would feel the passion that the three of us have [for training and fitness instruction], and that people feel that we are there for them.

Mr Morgan views Beyond Fitness as “an opportunity to live my passion and help people make better choices in the lives”.

Schools interested in the gym’s schools’ programme can contact Beyond Fitness by e-mailing: info@beyondfitbda.com