Reflexions Muscle & Fitness Centre in West Hill, in Dartford, hope to create a safe environment for people from all sorts of backgrounds and help them on their rehabilitation journey.
Some of their repeat customers are ex-offenders, or generally have found themselves coming into trouble in their lives.
They offer a range of facilities, as well as personalised fitness plans and personal trainer-led sessions for those who desire them.
The fitness centre’s Operations Manager, Annabelle Gerlack, said: “We’ve got a variety of apparatus for individuals from all walks of life. Our customers all different sorts of people, but we have something for everybody.”
Their brand-new boxing facility, in the upstairs area of the gym, offers boxing classes and even tournaments for those who wish to compete. They have seats for friends and family who may wish to watch.
The gym don’t only offer boxing classes, but spinning classes, a range of weights and different exercise machines.
Miss Gerlack added: “We give them advice on wellbeing, nutrition… our PTs [personal trainers] are professional in those areas, we try to incorporate a lot.”
The gym wanted to help those in need because some may have lost their nerve, due to spending time in prison, or for other reasons.
They treat everyone as equals and say they like to help those who may have financial troubles. They said what makes them stand out is their prices are more affordable than mainstream gyms.
Miss Gerlack said: “We welcome everyone but we are finding we have a certain facet of people here who may be in need of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is a big word, so we deal with people who may have just come out of prison, or some people who are generally just a little bit lost in life or are struggling with mental health issues. This helps them to have a little bit of time out, in a more private-environment, with people who are like-minded and with mentors that can offer the support they need.”
The team at the gym said what makes their service special, is that they offer more than just a fitness service, Miss Gerlack added: “Members feel like they’ve got a bit of a family here and it’s a bit more of a club approach, a bit more easy-going.”
Reflexions gym said although their unique selling point is that they help troubled souls, they also just get people who come for the sense of community.
One regular gym-goer, Stewart Huxley, says he slightly lost his confidence after having a double-lung transplant and likes to go “for the relaxed atmosphere” and the fact that “you can do what you want and no-one’s judging you.”
Mr Huxley said he liked the diet-advice and the help you get not only from staff but other gym-members, he said: “If you’re doing technique slightly wrong, there’s no-one judging you. Instead people just want to help, whether it’s them telling you to slightly bring your elbows in or something like that.”
His loyalty has only grown with the Dartford gym over the last six months, following his surgery. Mr Huxley said “they’ve really helped” with his recovery and building his confidence back up.
The gym said they have a few charity fundraisers planned that they hope will attract more customers and they wanted to spread the message that their doors are always open to anyone and everyone.