A NEW strength and fitness facility that breaks down traditional images of strength training and heavy lifting gyms is hosting St Helens’ first ever strongwoman and strongman competition.

The Workshop Gym, based on Sutton Road, was opened by ex-army sergeant Joe Kennedy in Feb 2020 as a training space mainly for competitive strongmen and powerlifters. However, shortly after opening, he teamed up with personal trainer Richy Lunt and together they have seen it evolve into something more.

Gym manager and strength coach Richy, who is also a massage therapist specialising in rehabilitation, said: “Having worked in commercial gym environments for several years the one thing that became clear to me was the need for a dedicated facility to provide a non-judgemental environment, removing the anxiety and nervousness sometimes experienced. We want to make strength training accessible to everyone.”

The gym now boasts a membership with no gender bias, a huge age range and a variety of fitness levels and is keen to move away from preconceptions surrounding weightlifting.

On Saturday, November 27 the gym will be hosting St Helens’ Strongest, a competition for first time competitors and novices, both male and female, with no upper age limit. The day will showcase traditional events such as atlas stones, log press and a 20-tonne truck pull.

Richy said: “Joe and I decided to tailor this event for first timers, to give those people at the beginning of their strength journey, and who may never have thought of competing, the opportunity to do so. Due to popularity we then opened up a further category for novices.”

The full day event will also feature a stand hosted by St Helens based Fit Food and is free for spectators. Competitors will take part in a total of five events and the winners of each category – Female First Timer, Male First Timer, Female Novice and Male Novice – will be crowned at the end of the day.

Contact Joe or Richy via email at info@theworkshopgym.co.uk if you are interested in taking part.