New Fitness Studio to Bring Community Spirit to Henley
Husband and wife team, Jack and Gemma Shaylor are opening a new fitness studio, F45 Training, in one of the new units in Gardiner Place when government restrictions are lifted.
The new studio will offer innovative, high intensity group workouts that are fast, fun and results driven. The F stands for functional training – a mix of circuit and HIIT style workouts geared towards everyday movements and 45 for the number of minutes for each session which can burn up to 700 calories. Each F45 session has two trainers giving members a 1 to 1 feel. They are there to motivate, correct form, and ensure members are getting the best out of the time they are investing in their workout.
Jack, a former Henley Hawks Rugby Player said, “We want people to feel like they can come to our sessions to not only get a great workout, but also to build friendships and have a sense of community.” Jack is very passionate about health and fitness and feels that he has a lot to offer when it comes to helping people to train effectively and efficiently. He wants to help the community to enjoy training more, adding “So many people force themselves to go to the gym and see it as a chore. I want to help educate people on how to train effectively, inspire people to realise their potential and enjoy movement in a social environment.”
Jack and Gemma are originally from the North and moved to Henley 15 years ago. They live locally with their daughters, Bonnie (3) and Lulu (1). It has been Jack’s ambition to own a gym for a long time and after a career in pharmaceuticals and medical device sales, he became the owner of F45 Training in Reading last year. Jack explains, “Health and fitness has been a huge part of my life since childhood. I became a fitness instructor over 15 years ago and have a Sport Science Degree and a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy. I have played sport throughout that time and it is the team training and community aspect of F45 Training that has drawn me to the concept.”
Gemma works for Microsoft but will be helping to oversee the running of the businesses. “I don’t quite have the same fitness led background as Jack but I have always felt passionate about my health and fitness, especially during pregnancy with my two daughters. I have always preferred classes or group training and can normally be found in a Spin, Circuits, F45 or CrossFit class. Jack and I have trained together for years and that’s why we fell in love with the concept of F45. We can train together despite our different abilities and both feel amazing after a great workout. Some gyms can feel intimidating but with F45 you don’t get that and for me that is crucial.”
Lockdown has been a challenge mentally and physically for many people, Jack comments, “So when we are able to open our doors we want people to feel a sense of unity again, as well as having a cool new studio to safely sweat it out in. I have tried and tested many kinds of fitness training and I am convinced that F45 Trainings combination of functional everyday movements, circuits and HIIT, makes it the single best fitness methodology available for the vast majority of individuals.”
The studio is currently being fitted out and due to be complete in March. When they open the studio will have strict Covid guidelines. Jack comments, “The format for F45 workouts has adapted really well to socially distanced training and with other measures in place like temperature checking, hand sanitising, it is a safe place to train.”
There will be pre-open classes 2 weeks prior to the grand opening available to foundation members only. Various membership options will be available including 10 class packs, month to month memberships, 3 month memberships, drop in classes and a one off week trial. They will also be releasing early bird membership prices to the first 75 foundation members to sign up to the studio.
Initially, it is likely the studio will run sessions Mon-Fri 6am, 7am, 12.30pm, 6pm, 7pm. Sat-Sun 8am, 9.30am, 11am. The timetable will be flexible to meet demand.
To apply for an Early Bird membership, visit the website and register your interest to be a Foundation member www.f45training.co.uk/henley-on-thames
