The owner of the Iceni Gym in Colchester says the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a complete change in the way he runs his business.
Jan Westrik, 28, has run the Iceni Gym for six years.
But following the Covid-19 pandemic, his gym has moved from a performance-based set-up to one which prioritises the physical and mental wellbeing of its clients.
“Covid has definitely brought this change about,” said Mr Westrik, who was formerly in the Army as part of the Parachute Regiment.
“It forced us to go about running smaller sessions, and allow people to have their own kit, their own space.
“Now we’re very much health focussed, rather than trying to get people to set personal bests and lift crazy weights.
“It’s a lot more honed on people’s health and wellbeing compared to before, when we were more performance based.”
Mr Westrik added, however, the change in approach to personal support has necessitated an increase in membership prices.
Read more:
- Plans to turn The Flag Inn in Wivenhoe into B&B are approved
- New Co-op in Whitmore Drive, Colchester, moves one step closer
- Colchester's Covid infection rate now double Essex average
Whereas the gym previous charged in the region between £60 and £70 per month, membership fees now stand at between £99 and £189 a month.
“The majority of people we’re seeing now are a little bit older,” Mr Westrik added.
“We’ve moved from large classes towards small group training, which is much more personal.
“Rather than doing crazy sessions, we’re a lot more focussed on everyone and their individual needs, rather than having everyone doing the same thing.
“It’s a lot more ‘softly, softly’.”
Mr Westrik admits that although this has meant many of the gym’s initial clients pre-Covid have had to move to cheaper gyms, it has also allowed Iceni to employ staff on full-time contracts, rather than have them work as a personal trainer in the gym.
“99per cent of gyms don’t employee their staff,” Westrik said.
“But with this new set-up, we’re moving to employ our staff so we can provide them with a proper job.
“They’ll have pension contributions and a proper salary.
“We can provide better service for everyone and can look after people – employees and clients – a lot better.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here