A CrossFit gym in Ripon will be hosting a 12-hour fitness challenge for charity later this month.

CrossFit Ripon will be running the event on Friday, December 29 in aid of children’s hospice Martin House.

Business owner Michael Meegan, 42, said:

“The charity resonates with quite a lot of people.

“A few of our members have brothers and sisters who have been cared for there.”

The gym will host a CrossFit workout every hour from 8am to 8pm.

A live DJ will be on hand to motivate volunteers, who plan to complete a marathon (42km, or 26 miles) on a rowing or skiing machine and 100km on an exercise bike.

While participants can choose how many workouts they want to attend, 12 people have signed up to do all 12 workouts.

The youngest volunteer is 18 and the oldest is 67. The diverse range of volunteers reflects how everyone is on their own fitness journey.

Ripon CrossFit was opened earlier this year.

Michael said:

“The journey is better than the destination. That’s the magic of it.”

Michael, who currently serves in the Royal Engineers, is a long-time fitness enthusiast.

He opened the gym with his wife Sarah this year and will finish his time in the army next April.

Martin House, in Wetherby, helps children and their families cope with life-limiting conditions and bereavement.

You can support Ripon CrossFit’s fundraiser online.

If you’re interested in attending the gym, email info@crossfitripon.com.

Read more

• CrossFit gym to open in Ripon
• CrossFit Harrogate prepares for charity challenge 

Harrogate personal trainer Chloe McEwen has been crowned Miss Yorkshire and is now set to compete in Miss England.

Chloe, 21, was chosen by the judges at The Earl of Doncaster Hotel last night. 

The level 3 fitness trainer hopes to use the title to inspire others facing mental health issues to embrace fitness and a healthier lifestyle.

Chloe McEwen

At the age of 16, Chloe was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her weight soared by almost four stone during an eight-month spell in hospital.

But by embracing a healthier lifestyle, the former Rossett School pupil regained control of her life and now helps others to use fitness to overcome their problems.

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• Miss Yorkshire contestant from Harrogate hopes to inspire others
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A young fitness trainer from Harrogate is hoping her tilt at the Miss Yorkshire title this weekend will encourage others battling mental health problems through fitness. 

Chloe McEwen, 21, will be competing in the regional round of Miss England in Doncaster on Sunday, but her immaculate appearance will leave judges none the wiser about her past struggles.

At the age of 16, Chloe was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she endured an arduous eight-month hospital stay, and her weight soared by almost four stone.

But by embracing a healthier lifestyle and a dedicated fitness regime, bolstered by an unwavering support network, she not only regained control of her life but also embarked on a mission to empower others.

Before and after photos of Miss Yorkshire contestant Chloe McEwen.

Former Rossett School pupil Chloe now wants to provide support and motivation to those in need. As a Level 3 fitness trainer with clients in a small private gym and classes at a Harrogate health club, she understands the challenges of self-motivation, but believes that simply maintaining discipline, even in small steps, is the key to turning things around. She said:

“The rewards of persevering are immeasurable.”

The problems Chloe had to overcome to achieve her transformation are all too common – 56% of the UK population are now registered with some form of mental health issue, and young people are disproportionately affected.

The Miss Yorkshire contest will take place at on Sunday at the Earl of Doncaster Hotel.

Read more:

• Harrogate boy cuts off hair to fundraise for children’s mental health service
• New beauty salon opens in Knaresborough
• Harrogate teenagers aim to lift 700,000 kg in January for mental health awareness

A CrossFit gym is set to open in Ripon.

Mick and Sarah Meegan, who currently run a smaller personal training and fitness studio in the city, will open the facility at Ripon Business Park, which is close to the canal.

The date is yet to be confirmed but the couple expect it to be early next month.

CrossFit Ripon will provide a functional training facility for Ripon, which the couple said the city currently lacked in comparison to nearby Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, York and Thirsk.

Mr Meegan, who is in the last year of 21 years of military service, said the gym would tackle obesity, mental health and wellbeing as well as get people into shape.

CrossFit, which involves constantly varied fitness routines, has grown hugely in popularity over the last 20 years.

The facilities tend to cost more than chain gyms but provide more classes and a more personalised approach, with community at the heart of activities.

Read more:

• Farmers and creditors owed £7m after Ripon firm collapsed
• CrossFit Harrogate prepares for charity challenge

Mr Meegan said:

“Ripon craves a fitness, mental health and wellbeing facility that caters inclusively for all the individual needs of our city, especially those suffering from social isolation and low self-esteem.

“The wide range of variety in terms of classes, one-to-one PT, apprenticeships for future PTs and fitness for kids classes is something Ripon needs as part of Ripon’s Neighbourhood Plan 2030 in-terms of health and well-being.

“Research shows there is somewhat a lower life expectancy in Minster and Moorside Wards than for the district. Child health concern regarding increase in obesity over early school years is considerably higher than in the district whereas for adults this is slightly higher than the district.

“Our new affiliated CrossFit gym will cater for all of the above, our community is absolutely paramount in terms of health and well-being. We are passionate to give Ripon what it’s craved for years and promote fitness is for life.”

Mr Meegan said the couple had battled for nine months to secure planning and many people have told them it won’t work. He said:

“Even when everything seemed against us we persevered and got planning approval. If you believe in something you take risks.”

Pure Gym is to open its newest gym in Knaresborough tomorrow.

The gym, which will employ nine staff, will be open from 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

It will provide about 40 classes a week free to members.

It has 220 pieces of equipment, a functional zone, a free weights area, cardio equipment and a fitness studio. Certified PTs will be available to help.

Based on the site of the former Lidl supermarket on York Road, the gym will welcome its first customers at midday tomorrow.

A typical Pure Gym layout. Pic: James McCauley

A Pure Gym spokesperson said:

“Our newest gym will offer members high-quality, low-cost fitness facilities and provide them with access to state-of-the-art equipment to use to achieve their fitness goals whenever they choose.”

Tomorrow’s opening means Knaresborough and Harrogate will both have Pure Gyms — but not Ripon. The Stray Ferret asked the company if it had any plans t open in the city.

The spokesperson said:

“We are always on the lookout for new sites that will enable us to provide as many people as possible with access to affordable, flexible fitness.

“We currently don’t have any concrete plans for a site in Ripon, but will continue to keep an eye out for potential locations for our next Pure Gym.”

Pure Gym was launched in 2009 and now has 1.2 million members and 340 UK clubs.

It is majority owned by American private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners.

Read more:

• Pure Gym to open in former Knaresborough supermarket
• New opening dates for Harrogate and Knaresborough leisure centres revealed

The Harrogate Rugby Club has set up a foundation to help make the game more accessible to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

The Harrogate Rugby Club Foundation will promote physical activity and teamwork amongst all age-groups and aims to benefit a thousand people by 2024.

It will host free tag rugby sessions for schools, as well as community fitness classes, walking rugby programs and mixed-ability rugby sessions.

The rugby club has acted as a social hub since its foundation in 1871.

The project’s mission-statement outlines its aims:

“From primary schools to retirement home, we are here to keep people physically and mentally fit throughout their life. Using rugby as a means to access areas of inequality, deprivation and hardship, we will ensure that everyone in the Harrogate community has the opportunity to benefit from the amazing game that is Rugby Union.”

The foundation will launch officially on Saturday 18th February, at a match between the Men’s 1st XV and Sheffield Tigers.

Local schoolchildren who have already got involved in the rugby club’s free tag rugby sessions will be pitch side at the weekend, taking up the role of ball boys/girls for the match.

Entrance to all matches this weekend will be free.

The rugby club has created a crowdfunding page for the foundation to raise money for free coaching in schools, as well as equipment.

To support the fundraising campaign, visit the crowdfunder page.

Read more: 

• Former Leeds Rhinos captain joins Harrogate Rugby Club as coach
• Harrogate rugby club under 15s win international tournament in Portugal

This story is sponsored by Slimming World.

A Harrogate slimmer is celebrating after reversing her liver disease by losing over a third of her body weight with Slimming World. 

Sylvia Skipper was told by doctors that her non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was off the scale, with a liver fat content of over 70%.  

“I was heading towards severe cirrhosis of the liver, which could lead to me needing a liver transplant,” said Sylvia. 

“The consultant explained the only legitimate way of improving or reversing this was by losing weight. I had struggled with so many diets in the past I had just about lost faith.” 

It was then that she turned to Slimming World, whose science-based healthy eating plan has helped thousands of people across the UK achieve their weight-loss goals without ever going on a diet.

“I vividly remember messaging Cate Pervana, who runs Slimming World groups in Harrogate, and sharing my health issues with her,” said Sylvia. 

“I had previously had thyroid cancer, so I struggled to control my metabolism and doubted my ability to lose weight. 

“But Cate gave me the reassurance I needed, and I joined Westcliffe Hall Harrogate Slimming World group.” 

Combining Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme, Sylvia soon started to see the weight fall off. Just over a year later, she has lost 6st 7.5lb – over 40 per cent of her original body weight – and is now down from a size 24 to a size 8. Even her feet have shrunk from a 6 to a 4 and she’s now proudly wearing her favourite pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, which had been stuck in her wardrobe for years. 

Sylvia Skipper combined Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme to lose weight.

“But the best news came this morning,” said Sylvia. “I now have less than 5% fat in my liver, I have completely reversed my liver disease, and I’ve been discharged. 

“I am so grateful to Cate and everyone at Slimming World for giving me all the support I needed. Getting healthy again has been my sole motivation on my weight-loss journey, and I feel on top of the world.”

Sylvia Skipper was in danger of needing a liver transplant, but with the help of Slimming World has stopped her liver disease in its tracks.

Slimming World in Harrogate and Knaresborough runs several groups, making it easier to find one to fit into your schedule. Cate Pervana runs groups in Harrogate, and Christine Husband runs them in Starbeck and Knaresborough.

Find out more: 

If you want 2023 to be the year you achieve your weight-loss goals, find out more about your local groups by calling Christine Husband (Starbeck and Knaresborough) on 07890 621324, or Cate Pervana (Harrogate) on 07834 897533. 

Alternatively, check out the Slimming World Harrogate and Knaresborough Facebook page here. 

This story is sponsored by Coach.

Harrogate’s £1.5m Coach gym is continuing to go from strength-to-strength following its launch in the town a year ago.

The affordable boutique gym boasts more than 200 pieces of state-of-the art equipment, as well as over 200 instructor-led fitness classes across four studios.

Surge Padel, where members can play one of the world’s fastest growing sports, can also be found on the first floor of the building at Hornbeam Park.

Stuart Perrin, owner and CEO of Coach, which opened in January 2022, said:

“Coach is a boutique health and fitness concept, which in a nutshell means everything is very high end. From the fixtures and fittings, to the experience.

“It’s something very different and is the biggest gym in Harrogate by a long way.”

Coach boasts a bar area, which serves bespoke shakes and smoothies. There are also luxury changing rooms, including GHD straighteners and solid oak benches.

The gym itself features a range of equipment – from cardio and resistance machines to free weights, squat racks, battle ropes, tyre flips and a sled.

Mr Perrin said:

“If you’re a real gym-goer, the equipment we have is really quite special. We have the best the brands have to offer, including Nautilus, Schwinn, StairMaster and Concept, all under one roof. We make sure we have the best possible pieces of kit.”

Boutique fitness studios

Coach’s four boutique fitness studios offer something for everyone. They include:

Coach Spin: A spinning studio that can take up to 30 people in a session.

Coach Class: A group exercise studio, which hosts everything from Body Pump to yoga and Pilates. Classes are delivered and programmed by highly-qualified, passionate and respected instructors.

Coach Box: A boxing studio, which can take up to 20 people in a full cardio and bodyweight resistance class, where you learn the fundamentals of boxing in the process.

Coach Evolution: A High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) studio which has 10 treadmills, 10 airbikes and 10 HIIT benches. Coach Evolution is designed using HIIT to give you a full cardiovascular exercise and full-body resistance workout.

Mr Perrin said:

“Within Coach itself we have four studios and we offer a timetable of more than 250 classes a month, which are included in membership if you are on our top tier.”

Coach is offering Stray Ferret readers a free day pass to come and try the facilities, which can be accessed here.

Mr Perrin added:

“Members love the feel, the experience, the quality. Come and try it for yourself with a free day pass.”

Coach Gyms is redefining affordable luxury. Join now from only £18.99 a month. Find out more and join the fitness revolution today!