Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 11
ASPIRING TO
BE THE BEST
Sharon Whitehead, director of Aspire Fitness Studios, believes
she has found a gap in the market with her business...
In 2010, Sharon Whitehead stood in a
derelict room with a clear vision. Her aim
was to provide all-purpose fitness studios
with a wide range of quality fitness classes
offering members the flexibility to pay
how they want and to make it appealing to
all age groups and fitness levels.
Today, she sits in the same room with her
vision made into a reality.
“I’m so happy with how my dream has
turned out and I want to make Aspire the
best it can be. I love what I do and can not
imagine not being here, she says.
”
Aspire Fitness Studios provides a chance
for both workers on the business park and
residents in Aycliffe and surrounding areas to
choose a wide range of exercise classes as
their way to keep fit and healthy.
Sharon has created a timetable with
almost 50 classes a week at different times
of the day. Some classes start as early as
6.30am for those that want to fit in exercise
before work along with mid-morning,
lunchtime slots and classes late into the
evening.
Sharon has particularly taken into
consideration the time constraints of those
employees at the park.
She says: “We get people who can only
get out for a quick 30 minutes at lunch. They
just want to be in and out, so we’ve got 30
minute classes as well as the usual ones that
last 45 minutes to an hour.
”
The site boasts three studios, which allow
for a walk-in system to be used and no
bookings are required to take part in a class.
No contracts or joining fees are involved
when joining. The studios operate on a pay
as you go policy or standing order that works
out as little as 93p a day.
“It just saves the hassle of admin fees and
I don’t like people paying for something they
are not using, says Sharon.
”
Sharon has not always been a part of the
fitness industry. She spent 15 years working
in marketing and PR before being made
redundant. She decided to take up a new
career in fitness.
After completing her training and gaining
the necessary qualifications, she became a
fitness advisor for Bannatyne’s in Darlington.
This was not enough for her, as she
explains.
“When you’re working in a gym, you’re
cleaning for the majority of your shift. Don’t
get me wrong, I loved it and the experience
was great.
“I loved the personal training and group
exercise aspect of it all, that’s what made me
decide this is what I want to do.
”
Aspire is a Les Mills affiliated club. Les
Mills is the world’s largest provider of
choreographed exercise-to-music classes.
BodyPump and BodyCombat are just two of
the programmes that are used by Sharon.
She explains: “These programmes are
massive, they spend millions on research.
The research that goes into it is unbelievable.
“It’s awesome. There isn’t any other
programme that can touch it.
“I’m constantly keeping up with market
trends. Our training is continuous. We are
constantly changing routines to mix it up and
keep everything fresh.
”
Sharon believes that she provides a unique
experience with her members which keeps
them coming back.
She says: “People come back for the
instructor, how welcome they feel and how
electric the atmosphere is when they are
working out. “Our classes and instructors
are highly motivational and I believe group
exercise classes will always deliver better
results.
”
Sharon takes pride in the close relationship
she and her team have with all of her
members.
“Every member has got a dedicated
fitness advisor assigned to them. It’s
because we care. People need that
motivation.
”
As for Sharon’s motivation, that is simple.
“I have not seen anybody who has walked
through that door and not only changed their
body but their mindset, she says.
”
“The day that I stop getting Goosebumps
from that, that is the day that I hand my
notice in.
”