Alex Reid opens fitness studio in Dinnington

Brand new customer, Donna Barker launched her gym, Fitness Junkie Studios at our business centre in Dinnington last weekend, opened by special guest Alex Reid.

The high energy launch event included fitness demonstrations from the celebrity cage fighter and performances from local street dancers. The many visitors, who included the Lord Mayor of Rotherham, could also view colourful urban art displays created by artist, Leigh Stanford Redhead.

Change of lifestyle for Donna

The inspiration for creating Fitness Junkie Studios came from a bad experience for gym owner, Donna.

“I went to a gym and was so disappointed at how expensive and unfriendly it was. The customer service was awful and when I wanted to leave I was tied into a 12 month contract and couldn’t get my money back,” she explains.

“One night I jumped up in bed and said to my husband, ‘I’m opening a gym!’ He thought I was mad, but I felt so strongly that I just had to do something about it.”

Donna had spent 14 years running a business within the waste recycling industry but after her midnight epiphany she decided to change her lifestyle completely.

“Waste recycling is a very different field from fitness, but I have always had a personal interest in health and beauty. I’m passionate about providing members with the best of everything and I’m on a mission to provide a wonderful customer service experience.”

Customer focus

Donna promises that Fitness Junkie Studios will offer a warm, welcoming and ‘ego-free’ environment with an atmosphere that everybody can enjoy.

“Although the studios are open to everyone, there is a focus on ladies because from my own experience I’ve felt that some gyms are not very inclusive and have cliques which may be off-putting to women of all shapes and sizes,” she says.

I’ve worked hard with my team to create an environment that avoids people feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed. I want them to feel like Fitness Junkie Studios is a haven for them to escape everyday life.

The female gym changing rooms are certainly out of the ordinary, as they have a luxurious Burlesque theme with opulent mirrors, diamond drapes, a gold glitter wall, shabby chic furniture, chandeliers and a chaise longue.

Donna has also made the gym fun for men as the male changing room has an urban art display of the Bruce Lee story on the wall.

She has recruited a team of talented personal trainers who will deliver a variety of classes and teach people to use the equipment effectively to work toward their fitness goals.

Spotting the potential

Donna spotted our Dinning Business Centre when she was driving around the area looking for potential premises. She called in to enquire and found there was a large business space available that was ideal for her needs. Donna Comments,

I feel very lucky to have found this space as it’s perfect for us. It’s accessible for Dinnington residents and there is plenty of free car parking facilities and space we could use for outdoor training

Business centre manager, Connor Johnson, adds: “It is fantastic that Fitness Junkie Studios is adding to the diversity of businesses we have on site at Dinnington. It brings something new and exciting to the area that hopefully a lot of residents will be able to enjoy.”

Our Dinnington Business Centre offers a range of competitively priced offices and commercial units for rent, which can be used for storage, light industrial purposes or as workshops. For more information contact Connor Johnson on 01909 281 421. 

Photo: Alex Reid with artist Leigh Stanford Redhead courtesey of Fitness Junkie Studios.