AXE & Hammer Fitness has been combatting gym cliches and stereotypes for the past three years making sure customers don’t feel intimated when they’re working out.
The loyal gym-goers are so grateful for the relaxed and friendly environment that owner Danny Arnold has created that they’ve voted the business St Helens’ Best Gym 2022.
Since we launched our Best of 2022 competition in April, each week we’ve focused on different categories to find the best that St Helens has to offer with 17 awards for hair, nails, beauty, fitness, children and independent shop being given out as well as fish and chips, pies, pubs, beer garden, café, breakfast, afternoon tea, roast dinners, pizza and burger already decided.
Voting took place over weekend in the next round of the competition with the award for Best Dessert 2022 up for grabs, with the winner – Antonia’s Cakes - announced earlier today, Wednesday.
Next up we were searching for the town’s best gym and Axe & Hammer Fitness took top spot.
Danny, who grew up in Parr, opened the gym on Rainford Industrial Estate in September 2019 just before Covid-19 hit and having just started to build up a customer-base and loyal following he was forced to close during national and local lockdowns.
He used to work as a security nurse for the NHS and was asked to take a fitness qualification and manage the gym on the psychiatric ward.
With an interest in body building, the 35-year-old decided to share his fitness successes and work as a personal trainer and then open his own gym, offering a slightly different gym experience to his customers.
Danny said: “Going to the gym can be quite intimidating and I wanted to overcome these cliches and stereotypes of women always being on the cross trainers and the men being on the noisy gym equipment.
“This isn’t the case at Axe & Hammer Fitness – it’s a completely different environment.
“We have circuit classes early in the morning and in the evening and offer 1:1 PT sessions to our customers.
“We have clients of all ages and abilities – men and women, people with disabilities, and teenagers as well, as it’s important to teach youngsters early about the right way to exercise and train.”
The training support comes highly recommended at Axe & Hammer Fitness with exercises and fitness programmes for all ages and abilities being mentioned in the venue’s nominations for Best Gym 2022.
Danny said: “I was so surprised to make the shortlist for this award and knew we were with some fantastic gyms that have lots of members and very popular.
“As a small, family-run gym it’s brilliant to be named Best Gym 2022 and we really appreciate every vote from our loyal customers and regulars.”
For more details go to facebook.com/axeandhammerfitness
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