I’ve always believed that fitness should be simple: move more than you sit, challenge yourself regularly, and have a goal to work towards. That mindset has helped my clients get stronger, fitter, and healthier. But as I spent more time in the fitness industry, especially within the commercial gym scene, I realised I was constantly fighting to stay true to those values.
There comes a point when you have to ask yourself whether the environment you’re in supports what you stand for. For me, that answer became a firm no.
The Problem with Commercial Gyms
Commercial gyms are built to scale. They rely on volume and turnover, and while that might make sense for business, it rarely benefits the individual. The goal isn’t to coach, guide, or truly support members; it’s to sign up as many people as possible and hope most of them don’t show up.
And when they do show up? They’re met with vending machines full of sugar-laden drinks and snacks, impersonal service, and all too often, disengaged personal trainers. Not all, of course. There are some brilliant coaches out there, even in big box gyms. But they’re the exception, not the rule.
In too many cases, I saw trainers scrolling on their phones mid-session, recycling generic programmes, and doing little more than counting reps. Clients were handed juice cleanses or extreme training plans, not because they were effective, but because they were easy to sell. There was little time or energy invested in actually helping someone build lasting habits.
This wasn’t the industry I wanted to be part of.
Why Environment Matters
The decision to leave a commercial gym wasn’t about status or comfort. I was doing well by conventional standards. But I wanted more than to exist in a system that prioritised numbers over people. I wanted to be in an environment where members were known by name, where programmes were tailored, and where coaches coached.
That’s what I found when I moved to Foundry.
Here, the focus is clear: help people live better lives outside the gym by providing the best possible coaching inside it. It may sound simple, but it requires doing things differently. Our training isn’t designed around trends or gimmicks. It’s built around strength, movement, and consistency. It’s delivered by coaches who care and who don’t need to sell supplements or fads to justify their role.
We’ve created an environment that fosters genuine connection. We keep our membership capped to ensure that every member receives the attention they deserve. You’ll be greeted by name, coached with intent, and supported every step of the way.
The Difference It Makes
When you train somewhere you feel comfortable, you’re more likely to show up. When you’re coached with care, you’re more likely to improve. And when your environment reinforces your goals instead of undermining them, you’re far more likely to succeed.
At Foundry, we’ve stripped away the distractions. There’s no fluff, no fads, and no hard sell. Just small group training, honest coaching, and a community that genuinely wants you to do well.
Leaving the commercial gym world was a leap, but it was the best decision I could have made. I’m now part of a team that values quality over quantity and people over profit. And that’s precisely the kind of place I want to train and coach in.
If you’ve ever felt like the commercial gym model isn’t working for you, you’re not alone. There’s a better way to train, and it begins with selecting an environment that’s specifically designed to help you thrive.
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