A new £1.5 million fitness hub opened in Harrogate today featuring the largest indoor padel tennis centre in the UK and an “affordable but boutique” gym.

Coach gym and Surge Padel are located in the same unit, called the Matrix Building, on Hornbeam Park.

It is a major investment in the town after a difficult couple of years for business. The new venture has also created 40 jobs.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. This development seeks to put Harrogate at the epicentre of that surge in interest. It’s the largest of its kind in the country with six courts.

Surge Padel has only opened on the first floor of the building but International Padel Federation is already considering it as the potential host of its European Championships.

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Coach which can be found on the ground floor and comes with more than 200 pieces of equipment and guided classes.

Stuart Perrin, who owns both Coach and Surge Padel, told the Stray Ferret:

“People of Harrogate are already voting with their feet and moving here. I think they appreciate this premium product at an affordable price, particularly in this economic climate.

“It just so happens that I used to live in Harrogate and it’s close to where I live now so it was an easy decision for me when this property came up.

“We were planning to open the first Coach in Leeds when the first lockdown came. It was a difficult time but that business was very successful.

“During the lockdowns we were on the search for more properties as a result. So we have more places in the pipeline and think now is the time to invest.”

So it seems more jobs could be on the way too as the business expands across the UK, with head office based in the same Hornbeam Park building.

More pictures from Coach and Surge Padel:

Padel is a different type of tennis.

It is the largest indoor padel tennis court in the UK.

Coach has more than 200 pieces of equipment.

Staff can help with training.

Both Coach and Surge Padel are based at Hornbeam Park.

As a personal trainer and coach, as well as a journalist, I have never been a fan of the ‘New Year, New You’ concept.

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with the old you. You might feel a bit partied out and like you’ve over-indulged at Christmas, but that’s normal and it doesn’t make you a bad person. You certainly don’t have to embark on some ridiculous exercise regime and diet fad after the clock strikes 12 on December 31.

Secondly, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t start now, or why you can’t carry on hitting your goals or even just maintain a level of consistency with your training during December.

A Baileys and a mince pie isn’t going to destroy your progress and I can guarantee if you start exercising now – even if it’s just a brisk walk around the shops – you will feel better prepared come the New Year.

There are plenty of personal trainers and coaches across the Harrogate district who feel the same.

They have shared some of their views and tips on why we shouldn’t wait until January when it comes to health and fitness.

Lyndsay Wells, Fit Harrogate PT 

“I can understand why people slow down or stop training in December, especially after the last year.

“I think a lot of people are feeling pretty drained and fatigued mentally, but this is where nutrition and exercise become even more important.

“Getting adequate protein, fibre and nutrients, plus regular exercise, really helps with positivity, mental clarity, sleep and energy levels. Even a 20-30 minute walk each day counts.

“The other thing that sets people back at this time of year is the “All or nothing” mentality. The mindset that because it’s Christmas and there are social occasions and lots of festive food to enjoy, that they then just throw everything out of the window.

“It doesn’t have to be like that. We can still maintain progress or even continue to improve, it’s about doing little things consistently and keeping positive habits like eating slowly, staying hydrated and maintaining activity levels.

My tips in short:

• Eat slowly and stop when you feel satisfied
• Move regularly and get outside for a short walk after a meal, even fidgeting adds up to your daily activity
• Stay hydrated and drink a soft drink between alcoholic one
• Choose low calorie mixers and spirits with a mixer where possible over beer, lager or wine
• Prioritise protein at every meal
• Try to eat at least one portion of fresh vegetables to each meal
• Remember you can still enjoy all the Christmas food without making yourself feel sick, irritable, bloated and lethargic

Sarah Meegan, Meegan Fit, Ripon

“What would you say if I said you should start your fitness journey in December?

“We put so much on the back-burner for the sake of potentially a three to four-day window.

“If we think about this in terms of meals. Lets say we have roughly six to eight meals consisting of festive food and drink in between now and New Year.

“There are 24 days remaining of December. If you eat three meals per day, that’s 72 meals.

“So you put off starting your New Year’s fitness journey because of that many meals out of 72?! Sounds ridiculous when we put it like that doesn’t it?

“When clients approach me for personal training and coaching in December for a New Year’s start I always ask “why January?”.

“If it’s a financial issue, then I can rationalise. But if it’s a motivation issue or fear of “ruining hard work” over the festive period then I will always actively encourage them to get ahead of themselves and get started in December.

“A full month to get a month ahead of their targets and goals. That’s an absolute no brainer.

“Starting and maintaining a healthier lifestyle takes motivation. Instilling good habits in December will enable discipline to your goals in January.

“So my message is if you’ve got goals you want to achieve in 2022, get started now.

Lauren Randell Fitness, Harrogate

“It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid… of “ruining” all your hard work in the gym this year.

“It is remaining consistent with healthy habits over time that determines your health and fitness, not a week of mince pies and a glass of red with Santa.

“Whether you choose to indulge in chocolate and remain horizontal binge-watching Love Actually for a week or not, what matters is how you feel about your decisions this festive season.

“How you feel about your decisions is far more important than the decision itself.

“Do you feel in control? Do you feel guilty? Do you feel pressure to overeat or drink around family and friends? Do you feel like exercising? Does it feel like calories and food consume your thoughts at Christmas?

“There is this assumption that because it is Christmas we are obligated to whip out the “stretchy pants” and fill ourselves to the brim at any and all occasions. But how would it feel to decide to not do that? To stop when you feel full. To say no to that extra glass. To take back some control over what you eat.

“Similarly, how would it feel to say yes to all those things you love, yes to the cake, yes to the gin and take some time to rest and not feel guilty for it?

“However you decide to spend your festive season, it is important to remember it is a choice. Your choice. You decide what you want to eat, you decide how it is going to make you feel and you decide how you spend your Christmas and New year.

“There is no right or wrong. These are pressures we put on ourselves.

“You don’t need to wait until January to continue your fitness journey. You don’t need to train harder to “work off” the extra food you might have eaten. You don’t need to do anything.

“You are fine how you are and you are loved no matter what, so do whatever makes you feel your best you this Christmas.

“Ps. If your scales shoot up, don’t worry. Most of this will be water retention not body fat. Be reassured that you cannot lose or gain body fat that quickly.”

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Matthew Goodall, F45 Training Harrogate

“I’ll just start in January” might seem like a logical idea, a bit like not wanting to start a diet on a Sunday.

However, there really is no time like the present and here are four reasons why:

1. Beat the January rush: “We’ve all been there. Gym bag in hand, stood in reception looking in on a swarm of ‘New Year, New Me’ gym-goers. Wishing for that time when you could roam the gym using equipment when you want it. Well, now’s your chance. Gyms this time of year are usually pretty quiet, giving you the chance to get in early on those Christmas gains.”

2. Damage limitation: “We all know we use Christmas as an excuse for anything. Chocolate for breakfast? Why not? It’s Christmas. But all your hard work throughout the rest of the year doesn’t have to go to waste. If you are short of time, add in a few high intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions. HIIT sessions are quick, easy and great for burning calories. Adapt your workouts to suit your schedule and keep going throughout December.”

3. Mental health: “Knowing that one-in-four people will experience some kind of mental health issue this December, it is now, more then ever, important to concentrate on that. With less sunlight, depression, anxiety and other forms of mental health battles can really start to take hold. But for some, gyms, training and fitness can be a lifeline. It is a proven fact that exercise releases feel-good endorphins and is therefore great for our self-esteem and cognitive function.”

4. Covid : “While we continue to battle a pandemic, exercise is vital in helping our bodies to fight Covid. We all know that as a result of obesity, poor health and bad diet choices, our bodies are less equipped and more likely to suffer with illness and disease. So now is not the time to sit back and wait until the New Year.”

Alice Hardy, Hardy’s Health and Fitness, Harrogate

“Who else is feeling seriously demotivated at the moment?

“I adore my clients and their ridiculous hard work. But every single year, the winter hits and boom, everyone is feeling, dull, demotivated, sluggish and they just don’t feel like they are hitting their goals as quickly as they should be.

“We are all the same, people then drop off towards the end of the year and think “oh well I’ll attack it in January”, but why? That is one whole month of your life that you could be using it to grow and get that one per cent better.

“It’s funny how our brains work.

“But let’s change it and think we have one whole month left for the rest of 2021. What are you going to do to make it better ? I want to make people feel excited about training, feel excited about going to the gym instead of dreading it.”

“There is a tendency to try and hit full send on everything we do when January hits.

“But by focusing on the easy elements, rather than trying to do everything all at once, we can maintain a level of consistency throughout the year.

“Why climb all the way up a tree when there’s plenty of easy pickings at ground level?

• Train: Yep, it’s a proven fact that if you train five to six days-a-week (with rest and recovery) that you’ll get fitter. But is that realistic for you and your current circumstance? Start small, how many sessions is realistic? Now make that a non-negotiable.
• Eat: So if you eat like a five-year-old at a Christmas party, how easy is it going to be to go from a diet of mince pies, to eating exclusively Paleo*? (*Google it) Really hard. So figure out one meal first – switch up your brekkie – and we’ll work on the rest later as we get accustomed to change. You know those Coco Pops are doing you no good anyway.
• Sleep: There are so many reasons I don’t get eight hours. So I accept that it will be much less, but work hard not to let that slip further when it’s in my control. Change a small part of your routine so you can grab an extra 30 minutes.
• Think and connect: What have I just said? Stop trying to change it all at once – low hanging fruit.

A new padel tennis centre could arrive at Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park as popularity for the sport grows.

With more than 6.000 padel players in the UK, according to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the sport is one of the fastest growing in the country.

Plans have been submitted for a new six-court padel centre in one of Hornbeam’s new developments.

If planning is approved a new “boutique” gym will also open on the ground floor of the Matrix building with the padel courts on the first floor.

The building is currently empty but if planning is approved it could see the site transformed.

The court would be housed in the Unit 1M Matrix building if plans are approved.

Here are ten facts you might not know about padel tennis, from the LTA:

• Lionel Messi has a padel court in his garden
• Padel was invented in Mexico in the 1960s
• It is played in doubles
• Padel rules are similar to tennis – but you serve underarm
• It’s the second-most-popular sport in Spain
• Jamie Murray has played in a professional padel tournament
• Padel balls are smaller than tennis balls
• Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plays the game to discuss ideas with his coaches
• There are more than 6,000 padel players in the UK
• It may not be an Olympic sport yet but campaigns are underway to make it one

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Planning documents have described the ground floor gym as “boutique with premium facilities”.

The centre will be opened by Coach Gyms Limited and Surge Padel Limited if planning is given the go ahead.

Gyms and leisure centres in the Harrogate district are preparing to reopen next week after more than three months of lockdown.

But although thousands of people in the district are desperate to start lunging, pressing and punching their way back to fitness, gym life won’t be completely back to normal.

Ongoing social distancing restrictions mean many group training classes still won’t be available.

Ryan Tansley, owner of CrossFit Harrogate, at Hornbeam Park, said he was looking forward to reopening but because it couldn’t offer structured classes, it would operate more along the lines of an open gym.

CrossFit Harrogate has offered discounted rates to members during lockdown, and provided Zoom classes and various challenges, such as performing the most burpees.

Mr Tansley said:

“People have had to adapt but it will be so good to get back to seeing people.”

No sparring allowed

Contact won’t be allowed at Harrogate boxing and martial arts gym H Hour Boxing and Kao Loi, when it reopens next week, which means no sparring and pad work.

Owner Rob Smith said it will operate predominantly as a fitness gym rather than a combat gym until the situation changes. He said:

“We will do boxing training for fitness but our bread and butter is training people to compete and that’s on hold.”

The gym has produced many champion fighters, including Thai boxer Rachael Jones MacKenzie, but the impact of lockdown has left its future uncertain.

Rob Smith is the head coach at H Hour Amateur Boxing Gym.

Mr Smith plans to skydive to raise £5,000 to keep the gym afloat three days before his 50th birthday next month.

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Ripon refurbishment

As owner of Intrim in Ripon for the last 18 years, Phill McKay has been flying the flag for independent gyms at a time when big chains have been taking over. He said:

“We are as excited as our members are. We have air-con going in this week and a gym makeover so we will be ready to receive old and new members. We have also rebranded and have new equipment planned.”

Phill McKay of Intrim

Absolute Fitness in Boroughbridge, run by former World’s Strongest Man competitor Darren Sadler, who now promotes the biggest strongman events on the planet, is also reopening on Monday.

Functional fitness in Knaresborough

“We are so excited to get back to some form of normality and finally have our fitness community back at Black Wolf HQ.

“They are what has kept us alive during this topsy-turvy time, and we can’t wait to welcome them back and celebrate what is hopefully set to be a fantastic summer.”

“We are pretty much going back to the same restrictions as before the January lockdown with the addition of twice weekly testing for all staff.

“We have been on restricted numbers since we were allowed to reopen last year so for use things are similar to before Christmas.”

Pure Gym in Harrogate will open on Monday. The gym will be open 24 hours but studio classes will not begin until May 17.

Leisure facilities managed by Harrogate Borough Council are also due to resume on Monday. But again, things aren’t totally back to normal. A council spokesman said:

“The pool at The Hydro in Harrogate and Nidderdale Pool will reopen on April 12 for lane swimming and family sessions.

“Brimhams fitness centres at The Hydro, Nidderdale Leisure Centre and Ripon Leisure Centre will also reopen to members only.

“Turkish Baths Harrogate will reopen from this date for treatments only.”

Despite coronavirus forcing gyms to shut for four months, a new gym has managed to open near Knaresborough.

Black Wolf Fitness will open near Knaresborough, Rabbit Hill business park, in September. Its owners are determined to succeed with their first gym at the same time as other local fitness centres are having to close.

The opportunity came along during covid and one of its owner Adam Whiter said “we just went for it”. Within a 3000 square foot building, trainers and members are able to ensure social distancing during the classes.

Co-owner, Adam Whiter, said:

“The opportunity came through covid and we just went for it, we will be opening in September with an opening day on the 29th August. We want to make this a space for everyone we cater from people of olympic level to those in their 60’s wanting to stay fit. I’m not for a minute saying this was an easy decision we knew it wouldn’t be easy with gyms closing down. We’ve made the decision to fly against the wind and have some belief and we are ready for it.”

The gym is set to open in September with safety measures in place.

The gym focuses on cross-fit training – a high intensity interval style of training. Adam was introduced to this style of training whilst suffering from low mental health and left his job to pursue his passion. He added:

“I hope we succeed, we’ve all got the drive to make it work. We offer fitness but we also offer a positive and fun community and now more than ever I think that is important.”

Read more:

• Harrogate gym goes into liquidation following the financial strains caused by coronavirus. 
• Personal trainers had to adapt whilst gyms were closed – some moved outside and online and will continue to offer this now gyms are open. 

Elsewhere in the district a Harrogate gym had to enter liquidation after its owner said remaining closed for four months was an “economic challenge”.

Coronavirus also forced a popular personal trainer to suspend his classes after 30 years training people in Harrogate.

A mother, daughter, and son who all worked at Gambaru Fitness in Harrogate have been left devastated by its closure.

Emily Yeates, along with her brother Ben, followed in the footsteps of her mum Janelle who has worked at the gym for over 20 years before it became Gambaru and was widely known as the ‘mum of the gym’.

It was particularly painful for the Yeates family when they found out that the gym company had gone into liquidation four weeks ago.

The Harrogate gym did not reopen on July 25 when the government gave gyms the green light. At the time, the gym owners Jonathan Walker and John Walker said the announcement came with “challenging guidelines”.

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Both Janelle and Ben are now looking for full-time work. Emily, who did sports massages and beauty treatments at Gambaru for 10 years, has managed to get a part-time job to support her young baby.

Emily Yeates told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s been a big part of our lives. It was really hard to find out that Gambaru had gone into liquidation. This is particuarly difficult for me because I am having to start all over again with my treatments at a time when I have a baby to support.”

The Stray Ferret attempted to contact Gambaru Fitness yesterday but received no reply.

In the gym’s most recent Facebook post on July 23, it said:

“Due to ongoing negotiations, and business restructuring, at this present time we do not have an official opening date.”

Despite the gym’s closure Diveshack UK, which had a shop at Gambaru, is still open for business and will continue to trade remotely while discussions with the landlords continue.

Gambaru Fitness has gone into liquidation after the owners spoke of the “economic challenge” of remaining closed for four months.

Jonathan Walker opened the Harrogate gym on Station Parade in 2006. He appointed liquidators on Friday to sell the company’s assets.

The gym is named after the Japanese phrase “to be the best you can be” and was open 24 hours a day. Jonathan Walker and John Walker were co-directors of the business from the outset.

Gambaru Fitness had in recent years opened up an “Adversity Awards” to recognise young people who had kept going when it was easier to give up.

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It did not reopen on July 25 when the government gave gyms the green light. At the time, the gym owners said the announcement came with “challenging guidelines”.

The Stray Ferret attempted to contact Gambaru Fitness but received no reply by the time of publication.

In the gym’s most recent Facebook post on July 23, it said:

“Due to ongoing negotiations, and business restructuring, at this present time we do not have an official opening date. We appreciate this may be frustrating, however we are sure you will understand the economic challenge we are under after being closed for four months. We are hopeful to have positive news shortly so please watch this space.”

Despite the gym’s closure Diveshack UK, which had a shop at Gambaru, is still open for business and will continue to trade remotely while discussions with the landlords continue.

Discussions have been held between the council and trade unions over plans to transfer sport and leisure services to a private company.

Unison has this morning confirmed that it has met with Harrogate Borough Council representatives to discuss the proposal to form a Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) to run its leisure facilities.

Unison branch secretary David Houlgate said:

“We are thankful that the Council is now talking to us and the meeting yesterday was helpful.  We are also pleased that the Council has let us have some written detail too.  We need to take a good look at that but already we can make the following observations:

“Clearly the council has ambitious plans for new and upgraded facilities and we cautiously welcome this but it has to be remembered that sport and leisure is a discretionary service so we would not wish to see high spending in this area impact on other, more critical, services elsewhere which could put jobs at risk.”

As well as the council’s six six leisure centres and its Active Health service, the plans could include transferring Little Explorers Day Nursery, the Turkish Baths, and community centres in Jennyfield, Fairfax and Knaresborough to the LACC.

According to a report set to be considered by HBC’s cabinet next week, transferring services stands to save £222,000 in business rates and £76,000 in VAT, with improved financial performance of £130,000 per year. There would be additional costs of £144,000, leaving savings of £284,000 per year, in the council’s figures.

The council has projected an increase in revenue of around £500,000 – equivalent to 10 percent of its current income – as a result of being run by a single-focus company.

The report also states that the council commissioned four studies into its leisure services in and alternative ways of delivering them, in 2018. It adds:

“SLL’s final report was presented to Cabinet on December 16, 2019 and as a result cabinet agreed in principle to progress the creation of a Company to run its sport and leisure facilities and services.”

Discussions between HBC and unions this week follow a public disagreement between them. Unison said on Monday it was disappointed that the council had failed to make any contact with its members – a claim which HBC branded “ridiculous”.

More on this story:

• Unions speak out about the lack of communication on plans which have “no overwhelming public support”
• HBC tells unions: “To expect a running commentary… is unrealistic”

The council consulted with residents last month about the proposals. In the report to cabinet, the results show 46 percent of the 433 people who responded either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the plans. Twenty-seven percent agreed or strongly agreed, while 27 percent neither agreed nor disagreed.

“We have seen the council report and it would appear that this decision was actually taken last year, so we do wonder what the point of the recent resident’s survey was.  Having now seen the survey responses it does seem to confirm our view that there is not much support from the 433 residents who responded, for sport and leisure to be run by a LACC.”

The union has welcomed measures to protect employees, including keeping them in the local government pension scheme. However, it raised concerns about changing terms and conditions after the LACC is formed, and the possibility that an outside provider will be found to run services in future.

The proposals to create the LACC will be put before the council’s cabinet when it meets online next Wednesday, June 17.