John gives his views on Old Ironworks Gym, John has trained with us for over three years and comes in nine hours a week.
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Old Ironworks Gym
TRANSCRIPT FROM THE VIDEO
Adrian: Hi, I’m here tonight with one of our long-term members, John. John, may I ask you, how long have you been coming to the gym?
John: About three and a half years now.
Adrian: Three and a half years—so why did you choose us?
John: People like me are a bit fanatical, and I’m a little obsessive. I need a gym that’s fully equipped and has people who can train the way I like to train. I want to be surrounded by like-minded, committed individuals, and this gym allows me to find those people.
Adrian: Fantastic. Over lockdown, was that frustrating for you?
John: Oh, incredibly! I managed to gather some equipment, so I did keep up some training because I can’t not train. I ran, did ground work—like I said, I’m a bit obsessive, so I couldn’t do nothing. But I have to say, the thing I struggled with the most was the lack of community. I’m someone who thrives on training with others. I’m very social and don’t enjoy working out alone. During lockdown, what I missed the most was the interaction, and I really suffered from that. It’s great to be back, truly great to be back.
Adrian: We’re glad you’re back as well. We describe ourselves as the friendliest gym in Malden, not just a gym but a club. Would you say that’s a fair description?
John: Absolutely. I’m originally from North London, and I’ve been living in Essex for about 16 years. I’ve trained in a variety of gyms across different areas—from Basildon to Burnham-on-Crouch to Pitsea. What’s great about Iron Works Gym is the diversity. You meet all kinds of people here—tradespeople like electricians, plumbers, and builders, as well as professionals like lawyers, financiers, and educators. There’s something for everyone.
While I train very hard, I also enjoy interacting and talking with people from different backgrounds. It’s a very friendly gym. In the three and a half years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen any trouble. In other gyms, there are often issues, but I’ve seen nothing like that here, and I train nine hours a week.
Adrian: Lastly, John, how do you find the precautions we’ve put in place, like taking temperatures and asking people to wipe down machines? Do you think they’re enough?
John: I think as a long-standing and professional organisation, the gym has a responsibility to the community, and it’s clear that you’ve managed that professionally. This gym has always been clean; it was spotless even before the pandemic. Now, the cleaning is almost obsessive. It’s not just the staff; members are also cleaning and sanitising everything.
There’s social distancing, a one-way system for entry and exit, and check-ins and check-outs. I honestly can’t imagine what more could be done. It feels incredibly safe. I have a family, children, and elderly relatives, and I have no concerns about coming here or transmitting anything. It’s as safe as a gym can possibly get.
Adrian: Thank you very much, John. That’s brilliant.
John: My pleasure, thank you.