AYCLIFFE TODAY PEOPLE | 5
@AYCLIFFETODAY
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
fitness classes with the flexibility of no
contracts and joining fees, 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 thrilled with how Aspire has
turned out and will continually strive
to make it the best it can be,” says
Sharon.
“Women in particular find the gym
environment somewhat intimidating
and lack in self- motivation – we’ve
turned this on its head at Aspire which
is exactly what I wanted.”
Aspire Fitness Studios provides
residents in Aycliffe and surrounding
areas to choose a 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 who
want to squeeze in some exercise
before their day starts with evening
classes ending at eight.
The site boasts three studios, which
allows for a walk-in system to be used.
There is also no need to book to take
part in the classes.
No contracts or joining fees are
involved when joining. The studio
operates on a pay as you go policy or a
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, who hasn’t 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 – a passion she
had always had.
After completing her training and
gaining the necessary qualifications,
she became a fitness advisor for
Bannatyne’s in Darlington, which led
her to creating Aspire.
Aspire is Les Mills affiliated. Les
Mills is the world’s largest provider of
group exercise classes. BodyPump™,
BodyCombat™ and BodyAttack™ are
just three of the programmes that are
used by Sharon.
She explains: “These programmes
are massive. They spend millions of
pounds on research making sure they
work every aspect of the body to get
maximum results in a shorter space
of time – working smarter not harder.
“There isn’t any other programme
that can touch it. I’m constantly
keeping up with market trends and
our training and ongoing education is
continuous.”
Sharon believes that she provides a
unique experience with her members,
which keep them coming back. People
come back for the instructor, how
welcome they feel and how electric
the atmosphere was while they were
there.
She 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 really do care and want to
help our members achieve their goals,”
she adds.
“I have not seen anybody who has
walked through that door and not
changed their body and mindset. The
day that I stop getting goosebumps
from that, that is the day that I hand
my notice in.”