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The
idea for the venture started in 1990, when a group of young Asian
men took up weight training in a friend’s garage using home made
equipment and bits and pieces bought for personal use over the years.
After
a while, word spread amongst friends and the garage became a popular
resource for more and more people.
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| Spotting
at GymNation. |
Due
to the large numbers turning up to use the makeshift gym, it soon
became apparent that larger premises were needed.
The
gym then moved into various other premises, including another garage,
a shop, a church hall and even at one stage a disused shower room.
GymnAsian,
as it became known was then offered rent free space at the former
factory warehouse, now known as City Works.
The
City Works premises were only a temporary measure and it was soon
time for a permanent place to be sought.
With
the help of many individuals and organisations, GymnAsian took over
a neighbouring commercial gym and has since continued to grow.
 There
is much more to the gym than just fitness. You can get help
there and it's more of a community thing. |
| Ashraf
Rhyman. |
Ashraf
Rhyman from the Barton area has been using the gym for nearly six
years. He said: "I started using the gym just after I left
school at 16, and now I try and use it at least three times a week.
"There
is much more to the gym than just fitness. You can get help there
and it's more of a community thing. I
like to go there after work just to see what's going on".
Today
GymAsian is known as GymNation as it is used by many more communities
than just the Asian community, and it aims to be more than just
a gym, acting as one of the key voluntary groups in the City.
Over
100 people, made up of many different nationalities and background
use the facilities each week.
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| Asian
women training at GymNation. |
It
is open seven days a week, has one full time and two part time members
of staff, and a number of volunteers.
GymNation’s
ethos is to try and encourage healthy lifestyles for its members,
helping them to gain confidence, and increase their physical and
mental well being.
Louis
Dixon from Gloucester heard about the centre years ago and has recently
started using the facilities.
He
said: "I have a really bad back and the staff at GymNation
have really helped my recovery. I wouldn't be walking if it wasn't
for them.
"I
go about four or five times a week and I have lots of friends down
there.
"I
would recommend GymNation to anyone and have told many of my friends
about it. It's really friendly, not in your face and there is always
someone to help if you need it".
GymNation
aims to utilise its facilities as a platform to give members a chance
to find out about opportunities, especially in relation to education
or employment.
Many
of its members are ‘disaffected’ people, including refugees, asylum
seekers and ex-offenders who do not make use of mainstream facilities
and are reluctant to attend formal courses.
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| Shebaz
training at GymNation. |
The
gym is currently running a fitness instructor course in conjunction
with Young Gloucestershire and the Adult Education Team.
It is also helping to promote and assist people with applying for
vacancies in the leisure industries.
Louis
Dixon said: "The staff have helped me with my physical training
and also with job applications. It's a great place and really friendly".
The
aim of GymNation is not only to provide a meeting place and social
activities in the Barton and Tredworth area, but to utilise the
informal setting to achieve a number of aims, including:
- Encouraging social interaction amongst different groups, e.g.
youth, refugees, young and old, Asian, Afro Caribbean and white
people.
- To work with the police, statutory and voluntary organisations
to encourage them to meet with the local people.
- To refer people with queries and problems to the relevant agencies,
e.g. law centre, housing and benefits advice.
- To consult with the young people to identify their needs and
concerns and ensure that these are fed back to the appropriate
agencies.
- To encourage people to get involved in voluntary activities
and agencies around them (this includes working as a volunteer
at the centre.)
- To promote and assist people with employment and education opportunities.
For
more information contact Imran Atcha, Development Worker on 07077
022 393.
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