A NEW gym is set to open its doors in Kendal later this year, with the passionate team behind it promising something new for the town's residents.

Originally working in the police, Jonny Thompson set up CrossFit Cumbria in Penrith six years ago.

“There was nowhere in the area then that did the kind of training that I wanted to do,” he said. “So the only way to do it was the open my own place and now six years later it’s exactly how I want it to be.”

CrossFit workouts incorporate elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics and more.

Business partner Patrick Moore had been training in Penrith at Jonny’s gym but as a Crosthwaite resident, he wanted to be able to access the same facilities closer to home.

“It’s time now that Patrick is in the same position that I was where he has no facility that is suitable for the type of training that he wants to do,” Jonny said, explaining the impetus behind House Fitness.

Patrick, a snowboarder, found that after starting at CrossFit Cumbria his sporting performance was dramatically increased.

“I felt better,” he said. “I find that doing strength and conditioning that we do together I get the biggest bang for my buck in the shortest amount of time.”

Jonny explained that for many who attended his gym it was about going to the gym to get fitter in order to support other sporting activities.

“It’s to go and get some fitness to make us quantifiably better at other things,” he said. “It’s not just driven by the way you look.”

The team appreciate that CrossFit can be intimidating at first but are happy to help people work up to taking a full class. The gym will not just be offering CrossFit, there will be opportunities for sports specific training, one on one coaching and an open gym.

Jonny will act as head coach at the gym. He will be joined by Anne Cooper, a class coach who specialises in nutrition and Matt Reay, a strength and conditioning coach who has worked with clients of all abilities.

The gym is due to open in September. More at https://www.facebook.com/housefitnesskendal/