State-of-the-art gym offers five-star fitness experience

And the Ruskin Drive venue has just triumphed in our latest competition to find the Best Gym in St Helens.

Each week, we will be searching for the best St Helens has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 16 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Hair by Alice Michelle

Best for Pies – Blackburn’s

Best for Nails – Kreative Kirsty

Best for Roast Dinner – The Brown Edge Pub

Best for Cocktails – The Townhouse

Best for Breakfast – Shakey J’s

Best for Fitness – Ashley-James Ward

Best for Fish and Chips – Paul’s Fishbar

Best for Tattoos – White Rabbit Tattoo Studio

Best for Pizza – Dial-A-Pizza

Best for Pets – The Dog House

Best Independent Shop or Business – Stone Tyres

Best for Dessert – Antonia’s Cakes

Best for Beauty – Chantel Louise

Best for Kids – Jo Jingles Warrington, St Helens and Wigan

Voting for St Helens’ Best Beer Garden is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Afternoon Tea.

Next on the list was the search for St Helens’ Best Gym and Ruskin Fitness Club took the latest Best of 2023 crown.

Joint owner Stephen Palfrey, concierge manager Katrina Sanderson and fitness instructor Daniel Haydock

Stephen Palfrey is the joint owner and manager of the venue having taken over from Pilkington’s in 2011 with a gym being on Ruskin Drive since the early 1990s.

Stephen said: “Since we bought the business in 2011, we have invested heavily to create a top-class facility in the town.

“We’ve almost doubled the membership and it’s continuing to grow.

“The Fitness Club is an integral part of the whole business that includes Ruskin Boutique Spa and The Wicket Bar and Grub.

“We provide a complete wellness experience including premium fitness facilities, boutique and studio group classes, pool and thermal facilities and a spa with five treatment rooms.”

Cardio machines and workout space at Ruskin

Stephen has had a graphic design business in St Helens for more than 25 years and over the past decade he’s also had a property development partnership focusing on bringing local buildings back into use, which have included the old Plaza nightclub and the Ena Shaw building on Duke Street.

Stephen said: “I’ve played football at Ruskin for all my adult life and when Pilkington wanted to sell the facilities at Ruskin, myself and other business partners jumped at the opportunity.

“Lots of our members comment on how comfortable they feel inside the club and how it doesn’t feel like a gym.

“When we saw a rise in budget gyms, we made a decision to focus away from that area and invested over £1 million into the fitness club, pool and thermal facilities and with our spa opening last year, we think we offer a five-star experience that people can’t get anywhere else in St Helens.

The pool was part of the £1million makeover

“Seeing how much the club has grown is fantastic and we’re constantly looking for new ways to enhance our members’ experience.

“Members are loving our boutique gym floor classes as well as relaxing in the thermal facilities.

“People want to work hard but they also want to relax and recover.”

But what do the members think of Ruskin Fitness Club? Why did they think they should win our latest Best of 2023 title?

There are “amazing facilities and excellent staff” as well as “a good range of classes” at Ruskin Fitness Club.

One fan said: “It’s state-of-the-art and highly professional.”

Members can enjoy a personalised workout experience at Ruskin

Stephen said: “We were so proud to make the shortlist for this award.

“It’s testament to how great our team is and how welcoming they make our members feel.

“To win is fantastic and we’d like to thank our amazing members for their votes, their support and their loyalty.”

For more details go to facebook.com/ruskinfitnessclub

The sauna is popular with members