Supported by grant/loan mix of £74,950 from Pen y Cymoedd
Back in early 2021 we supported Morgan a local man with his dream to open a gym and fitness centre. The IronWorX Gym offers a first-class fitness facility with specially designed space, equipment and knowledge. It promotes health, fitness and ultimately well-being within the community for all ages.
“I am very grateful to the Pen Y Cymoedd Vision Fund and its team for supporting my vision of creating a fitness facility in the village of Hirwaun. I believe this type of facility is long overdue in the village and will make a huge difference to the lives of the residents of Hirwaun and its surrounding areas, as well as having a positive impact on the village itself. Without the the support of Pen Y Cymoedd and the Vision Fund this project would not have been able to be achieved. Thank you.” – Morgan, IronWorX
Since then they have had to navigate continued pandemic restrictions, the cost of living and energy crisis but they:
- employ 1 full time Manager + Lead Trainer, 1 full time trainer and 1 part time trainer on payroll and a further two staff members as freelance instructors.
- have worked with Hirwaun YMCA to create opportunities for young people to have access to fitness classes within the community. The rugby club has used the facilities for training as well as the football club. They have created their own over 55s class (FIt4LIfe) that has created its own small community for older residents of the village. The average age of this class is near 70. They are very proud of this and are looking to explore growing this.
- have many members who say that without this facility their mental health would be in a less positive state and some even say ‘’they wouldn’t be here if the gym wasn’t here’’
- have created an environment for experienced gym goers but where newcomers are welcomed, supported and feel comfortable in an unfamiliar setting. Members have told stories of improved health, lowered medication, stopped hospital visits.
Quotes from community:
“In July 2021 I wondered into the Ironwork for my first ever Bootcamp, very nervous and unsure of what I was about to do. My welcome was lovely and everyone was very kind and helpful. I think I just about managed to keep up with “The originals”. The camps were great and a very diverse option of new things to try, I started Boxfit, Spin and Yoga classes. The Ironworx team and members became like a sub family to me. In November 21 I started PT and stepped inside the “Actual” gym for the first time at 42 years old. My body shape started changing almost immediately. The ironwork and its team have not only been my gym for the past 20 months it’s been my new lifestyle, my physiotherapist, my agony aunt, my comfort zone and my friend.”