A Decade of Inspiring People

TEN YEARS OF INSPIRATION AT YORK SPORT

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary in 2022!

We can’t believe how incredible the last decade has been!
After 10 years of inspiration being at the heart of York Sport, we wanted to celebrate that bit more by finding out what York Sport inspirational experiences and achievements our wonderful members had to recap on!
Take a look into some of the amazing things they had to say about us below!
Find out more about how you can join our inspiring members and even become one yourself by visiting the link below:

York Sport Membership Offers


 

  • Frances' Story

    Frances – York Sport Member

    When did you join York Sport?

    I joined York Sport in December 2021, following the closure of my old gym.

    What’s your favourite thing about York Sport

    For me as a triathlete, I like having all the disciplines of triathlon in 1 place. For example, I can swim, quick change and be on the skill bike in minutes.

    When time is precious with its daily demands, this is hugely important. I also enjoy chatting with a variety of individuals from all walks of life whilst training. People come and say hello and provide lovely support.

    How does York Sport inspire your activity?

    When I’m on the bike for example, I love to watch other people in their quest for a healthier life.

    No matter how big or small the challenge I am hugely inspired by those who turn up regularly and work hard. There is a lady who trains and she is in a wheelchair. We always smile, but what she doesn’t know is the huge respect I have for her when I watch her work hard on the bike. Another lady is blind and has private PT. She too inspires me because she doesn’t let barriers dictate what she can achieve in the gym. There is also a large cohort of retired people who train. Some have mobility issues, others don’t, but they turn up and challenge themselves and it’s wonderful to witness that age has no barrier here.

    They also love to chat to me the most, which I do enjoy. It’s also wonderful to see that in a social media age where “skinny” body image dictates how young people should look, the university students I see dispel this ludicrous ideology and would rather be strong than skinny. It is inspiring to see them stepping out into the world with this healthy mindset.

    So my inspiration really comes from the heart of York Sport, the members and their motivations for being fit and healthy. It makes me work hard and feel privileged that I have the health and mindset to stay strong.

    How does York Sport help you to achieve your fitness goals?

    I have embarked on many physical challenges throughout my life, from team sport to CrossFit. Some years back I took part in a sprint triathlon and despite not being a brilliant runner, I am a strong swimmer and cyclist. I got the bug and have been focusing on triathlon ever since.

    There is everything I need at York sport to continually train, be that swimming, cycling or running. The equipment is good and always clean and in working order. I also do strength and conditioning training, where there is always a good range of equipment to use.

    What’s next on your fitness journey with York Sport?

    I always say that sport is my all round medicine and I believe that always working towards a challenge is a powerful tonic for life. Pre-covid I decided to complete an Ironman triathlon. I wanted to achieve this before I turned 50 and I signed up for Ironman UK in Bolton. It’s a hugely challenging course with over 9000ft of climbing, but I was committed. Knee surgery and hip tendinitis tried to scupper my plans, but I worked hard to gain my strength back through rehab. It worked and despite the race being cancelled in 2020, I continued to train and achieved my dream last year in 2021 of becoming an Ironman.

    What I didn’t expect was to come 9th in my age group! If only I was a better runner! It’s the type of event where as soon as you cross the finish line, which is an unbelievably special and emotional moment in time, you vow to never do it again. However, fast forward 12 hrs… I was signing up again for 3 July 2022, with a new challenge in mind.

    This time I beat my previous time, beat my previous position in my age group and qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in October 2022. It was a huge challenge and one where the odds are firmly stacked against you. The event sees professional and age-group triathletes from around the world race on Ironmans main stage, Kona, Hawaii. It is the pinnacle of the triathlon landscape and an iconic global sporting event which provides the setting for the ultimate test of strength, grit and heart.

    Joining York Sport in December 2021 has helped me fine tune my training and inspired me to work harder than ever. Everyone I see training has a story, I know some but not others and I am genuinely inspired when I watch people from the skill bike, working hard to achieve their goals. It certainly helps me achieve mine.

    What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years at York Sport?

    Wow, I’ll be nearly 60 then!! I believe you don’t stop moving because you grow old, you grow old because you stop moving. In 10 years I aim to be as fit and healthy as I am now and I want to continually inspire my 2 sons to challenge themselves to stay fit and healthy.

    I will continue to compete in Ironman competitions with my husband who also trains at York Sport and maybe travel the world doing different ones. One day soon I’d like to win my age group and stand on the podium, in the meantime I’ll continue to work on my running and pedal the miles on the skill bike.

    Most importantly, I’ll continue to be inspired by all the people who train consistently at York Sport and look forward to chatting to many more of you as I continue my journey and learn about yours.

  • Helen's Story


    Helen – York Sport Member

    When did you join York Sport?

    Was previously a member between 2018-2020 and I re-joined January 2021 after engaging with the live stream classes.

    What’s your favourite thing about York Sport?

    My favourite thing about York Sport is the variety of classes on offer to you when you walk into the facilities! This allows you to try new things and discover new ways to exercise.

    I also love how friendly and approachable the other members and staff around the building are and the personal training plans that York Sport has to offer.

    How does York Sport inspire your activity?

    The comfortable environment within York Sport helps to inspire my activity. There are no feelings of insecurity in the gym when using the equipment as York Sport staff are always around to help, and even other members are always around to assist!

    The class instructors go above and beyond to deliver sessions suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. This makes for a much better and engaging session when the instructors know all the members by name. This is something that I especially love about York Sport.

    How does York Sport help you to achieve your fitness goals?

    Having been to the classes and becoming familiar with other members, I now feel that I miss a class I want to go to, through other commitments, I really feel as if I have missed out.

    This helps to motivate me to continue trying all different types of classes available at York Sport Village and I’m currently up to around 8-10 classes per week!

    What’s next on your fitness journey with York Sport?

    My aim is to get the most out of using the gym, in addition to the class I already attend.

    My confidence has already grown so much in the gym, from the help of the gym instructors making me feel safe, and I now feel confident to use a mixture of different machines.

    What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years at York Sport?

    I want to continue to establish a healthy lifestyle which allows me to maintain my fitness levels.

    I also want to use all the facilities I can at the village to allow me to work towards my goal of losing even more weight and dropping to my goal dress size!

  • Sameh's Story

    Sameh – York Sport Member

    When did you join York Sport?

    I joined in 2012, before York Sport had even opened!!

    What’s your favourite thing about York Sport?

    Firstly, I don’t just attend York Sport for Sport the sport but for also socialising with other members. I just love the environment here and York Sport as it feels like a family, which helps me because I miss my family in Egypt.

    The instructors and staff here always give a positive welcome and are extremely friendly, which adds to the alive atmosphere felt within the members community.

    How does York Sport inspire your activity?

    York Sport is in a close location from my home so this is ideal for me and the opening times are perfect for me as I can work the rest of my day around them.

    There is also a wide range of facilities that I am interested to use, with friendly instructors always around to help if needed!

    How does York Sport help you to achieve your fitness goals?

    York Sport creates and maintains a happy, healthy, safe environment for all members with a wide range of activities and equipment to keep me healthy and keep me on track to my goals. I love using the gym, swimming and spin classes!

    What’s next on your fitness journey with York Sport?

    I’m planning to lose weight and stay fit and hopefully feeling more happy and healthy.

    What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years at York Sport?

    In 10 years I want to look younger!!

  • Nicola's Story

    Nicola – York Sport Member

    When did you join York Sport?

    I joined on the first day York Sport opened, and was even given an induction by Keith, Head of York Sport!

    Since then I’ve signed up both of my daughters.

    What’s your favourite thing about York Sport?

    My favourite thing about York Sport is the spirit of community and inclusiveness. I also love the social opportunities and opportunity to make friends in classes.

    How does York Sport inspire your activity?

    The range of classes at York Sport help to inspire me and offers support for trying new things with my fitness. It also inspires you to go outside of your comfort zone!

    How does York Sport help you to achieve your fitness goals?

    The motivating instructors and staff at the York Sport Village really help me to achieve my goals.

    They help me build regular exercise into my routine and they also make it fun!

    What’s next on your fitness journey with York Sport?

    I really want to try a spin class with my daughter! I’m hoping this will help as I’m currently on a weight loss journey with Slimming World and I’m trying to hit targets weekly. As I’m getting older as well, I want to make sure that I am maintaining my fitness.

    What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years at York Sport?

    I want to complete a training programme and a body analysis with fitness team soon and stay as fit and active as possible!

  • Mandy's Story

    Mandy – York Sport Member

    When did you join York Sport?

    I joined York Sport in August 2012 as soon as it had opened.

    I remembered seeing a building site on a tour of the facilities as it was being build and I was keenly awaiting to join with my husband!

    Some private gyms come and go, but the fact that York Sport has been here for 10 years and they are always trying to improve things says a lot about how well they are doing.

    This explains why there are still so many founding members around the building day to day!

    What’s your favourite thing about York Sport?

    My favourite fitness classes has to be the Body Pump classes! The camaraderie is fantastic and  I love making friends whilst I’m there. It’s amazing that you can call people your friends and then realise you only know/met them from the gym.

    I remember we once did an unofficial Body Pump social – 80s night, and that is a key highlight for me!

    How does York Sport inspire your activity?

    I’m really motivated by group exercise as it can give a fresh outlet and perspective if you’ve had a rubbish day before coming to York Sport.

    I also hold the accountability of booking for a class/exercise and knowing people will expect you key to make sure that I’m attending.

    How does York Sport help you to achieve your fitness goals?

    York Sport offers a range of availability and accessibility of options and to me the location is very convenient.

    I also love the flexibility as staff and instructors always try to give members different options when it comes to helping them to achieve their goals.

    I loved that during the Covid-19 pandemic, York Sport held outdoor classes in the middle of the velodrome track! This shows a great level of going above and beyond for members, even during the worst of times!

    What’s next on your fitness journey with York Sport?

    I want to try to maintain and continue fitness heading into my older years and one of my aims is to continue strength training to work on my bone density.

    What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years at York Sport?

    I would like to build on my 10 year habit of making fitness automatic part of my daily/weekly routine.

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