Today is the final day of Castle Gym Nottingham. Luke shares his memories of this beloved community gym in an interview. Introductions “I’m Luke Willmott, owner of Castle Gym. This is coming into my tenth, and unfortunately final year of owning Castle Gym Nottingham. Prior to owning the gym, I worked for a supplement company. Back then, the owner of the supplement company owned the gym as well. I purchased it from them in 2012.” Do you have any memories of Doreen you’d like to share? “Unfortunately, I never knew Doreen, rest her soul. I’ve been told a lot of stories though through being close ..read more

Looking back on the memories of Castle Gym with Ray. Grab some tissues, this is a tear-jerker… Introductions “Hi everyone, my name’s Ray Brewin, I’ve been at Castle Gym now for the last 40 years.” What has your journey been like over the years? “I first came here when I left school when I was 16. My auntie Doreen basically forced me to come down to the gym because I was that small. I used to train here on a Tuesday and a Thursday afternoon, and then me auntie asked me whether I’d come on a Saturday afternoon between 12 and 3 to help her clean the showers and the changing rooms When I first com ..read more

Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to teach people about what I love and how it can completely change their life for the better. My favourite part of the job? Not the outstanding bodily transformations believe it or not, no but instead getting to help someone with kicking old habits and building some new ones. One trick I think a lot of modern personal trainers and coaches miss out on is that your clients aren’t you! They probably don’t love exercise yet and could probably think of a million and one things they’d rather eat than a plate of vegetables. Even the thought of drinking 2L+ of ..read more

Let’s talk… World Mental Health Day 2022 Suicide Prevention In the UK we have progressed significantly when it comes to talking about Mental Health, but we still need to work on this. One area that needs more discussion is suicide prevention. Now more than ever it’s imperative that we all understand when we are feeling low, why we are feeling low and how we can take steps to improve our feelings. Right now everywhere we look we can choose to see negativity. I say choose because there really is so much light around us even in the darkest of times. It’s safe to say everyone has their own struggl ..read more

Sticking to a fitness routine is hard enough, but to document your fitness journey can be downright exhausting. It seems like every other day there’s a new workout program or diet trend to try, and it’s tough to know which one is right for you. But what if there was a way to make the process a little easier? What if you could document your journey and see all your progress in one place? Here are 5 reasons why you should document your fitness journey. Plan and document your workouts Reaching your fitness goals is a process that takes time, dedication, and discipline. However, it can be difficu ..read more

Do you struggle with how to stay active in your 60s? Are you finding it intimidating to begin or return to their exercise regimen? Many people over 60 may feel self-conscious about wanting to start exercising or worry about what others might think of them. But our best instructors at Castle Gym are here to reassure you that working out after 60 may truly be enjoyable. Your health and wellness can benefit from even the slightest improvements. We have compiled a list of the finest exercises for those over 60 to begin performing, whether you’re starting off or reinvigorating an old habit. Of cour ..read more

Sometimes you can find yourself halfway through your workout and feeling like you’re not going to see the end of it. It’s important to remember this feeling is totally normal, but, we’re going to give you some tips on what to do if you’re struggling during a workout. It will ultimately get easier if you persevere each day when you are finding it difficult to finish your workouts. No, this doesn’t always happen to beginners, in fact, it can also happen to those who have been training for years, but simply won’t accept it. 6 Tips if You’re Struggling During a Workout Alter your routine Although ..read more

If you’re like most people, the thought of starting a weight training routine intimidates you. It seems so complicated, and there are all sorts of information out there that seems contradictory. But don’t be discouraged! Weight training can be an incredibly effective way to improve your overall health and fitness, and it’s not as complicated as it may seem. In this post, we’ll outline the basics of getting started in weight training, and provide some tips for making the most of your workouts. So read on for everything you need to know about getting started in weight training! Start with your o ..read more

In the world of diets, there are two predominant philosophies: low-carb or low-fat diet. Both approaches have  supporters who claim that their diet is the best. But which one is really best for you? And more importantly, how can you determine which approach is right for your specific training goals? We’re taking a closer look at if a low-carb or low-fat diet is for you! Low-Carb Diets Very low-carb diets are often ketogenic, meaning that they significantly restrict carb intake to induce ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body uses fat for energy instead of carbs. General ..read more