An Alexandria gym owner who launched her business as a single mum five years ago has said that moving to a huge new studio is a dream come true.
Lisa Milton Madden was a stay-at-home mother for four years after the birth of her daughter Emily.
However, with Emily, aged four-and-a-half, set to start primary school, Lisa decided it was time to make her dream of running a fitness school a reality.
She founded Fit-in Fitness in January 2018, initially touring community centres and halls – before moving into her own premises in Bridge Street the following year.
After holding classes remotely during the pandemic, Fit-in gradually returned to in-person training – and was rewarded when it was named Scotland’s best fitness business last year.
Now Lisa is set for the next step, with Fit-in set to move to a huge new studio at Lomond Galleries – with Lisa saying it was love at first sight.
She told the Lennox: “I saw the unit and thought it was a dream. But it was a bigger space and we knew it would cost us more money, which was a bit scary.
“We needed the space and it’s four times the size of what we’ve got at the moment.
“As soon as I went in I just fell in love with it. I could visualise what it would look like if we’d done it up.
“I thought about it for a few weeks, but I think I knew as soon as I visited that it was right for us. It just became a matter of sorting the figures to make sure that we could do it.
“There’s been a real community spirit and everyone is buzzing.
“It’s looking really good, and it’s great to put a wee bit of life back in another building in the area.
“We took on part of Lomond Galleries which has been sitting empty for a wee while.
“It’s been really tiring. But really rewarding.
“We’ve needed more space for a while. My existing studio only had enough space for 28 clients, so we were running out of space with no way to expand.
“This lets the gym sit on its own whilst we run classes, which will make a big difference.
And Lisa hopes it will allow her to help more people to get fit – and boost their mental wellbeing, as well as letting her work alongside husband Kevin – an experienced sports therapist.
She continued: “I think the success is down to our ethos – Fit-in is where everyone can be themselves.
“When I set out to do it I was a single mum, and I understand it can be hard to train when you’ve got kids.
“You can be the fittest person, but when you go somewhere new 90 percent of people are probably a little bit nervous and anxious.
“It’s so important that, from that first message or phonecall, that people feel valued.
“I think that’s why people stay here. We’re constantly getting new people, but clients stay. And I think that’s because they can be themselves. They can see that I take an interest in their journey.
“People have so much going on, and the gym can be such a great outlet mentally as well as physically.
“I did a course in mental health and exercise because I didn’t realise how many people suffer.
“The new gym has more space for a kids’ den, and we’re going to launch classes aimed specifically at older people. As well as for families. It’s so important that everyone feels welcome.
“That also means there will be more opportunities for instructors and personal trainers to get involved, so hopefully it can boost the whole area.”
Fit-in will hold an open day on Sunday, July 30 at the new base, Unit 21 at Lomond Galleries. Anyone wanting to find out more can contact Lisa via [email protected] or via social media.
