06 Nov 2023
It’s far from usual to be working out in a gym where the fixtures and fittings include stained glass windows and wooden rafters instead of mirrors and bars.
But that’s exactly what users experience at Wheathampstead’s Chapel Gym, a community-led initiative which recently celebrated its first year of operation from a former Victorian church.
Alongside the original fittings is artwork representing local pubs The Bull, The Elephant and Castle, The Wicked Lady and The Swan.
“We didn’t want somewhere full of mirrors as that can be very off-putting for users,” said Julie Bell, who chairs the Chapel Gym Action Group.
This is a surprisingly well-equipped facility as well, with plenty of spin bikes, free weights and fitness machines, and hosts a range of classes including yoga, pilates, tabata, circuits and spin-tone.
Intentionally, there are no showers or changing rooms, with users encouraged to walk to the gym from across the village.
“People are very proud,” Julie revealed. “It’s a clean, tidy, friendly gym with very knowledgeable staff.”
The story behind Chapel Gym dates back to 2012, when the United Reformed Church which used the building were forced to shut its doors because they were unable to afford its upkeep. A bid by a developer to replace it with a smaller church and housing failed to secure planning permission, and it remained closed for several years.
Then villager Karl Fenwick, who runs a gym in Windsor, suggested there was the potential to turn it into a community gym – providing damp problems could be resolved, the partially-collapsed ceiling repaired and the floor strengthened – with an estimated cost of £200,000.
He talked over the idea with church elders Jane Deller and Jackie Seller, a crowdfunding campaign was launched in February 2020 – just before the first Covid lockdown – with the support of the Wheathampstead and District Preservation Society, to raise an initial £5,000 to get the electricity put back on.
“The sense of community was really strong during lockdown. We were hearing about the importance of health and resilience and because people weren’t going out they had a lot of time on their hands.
“We raised that initial £5K very quickly, and then the remaining £195,000 over the two years to the start of 2022.”
Donations came in thick and fast, including £10K from the London Luton Airport Community Fund, made up of fines from airlines for noise violations over the village, plus help from then-councillor Annie Brewster’s Locality Budget, Wheathampsted Community Group, The Swan pub, Farr Brew, the Wheathampstead Warriors and estate agent Cassidy and Tate.
A group of between 50-60 volunteers helped with the renovation, observing social distancing when required.
“There was a lot of goodwill, determination and skill, and a real sense of achievement in the results.
“Jarvis Homes were phenomenal. Their electrical contracts manager Neil Matheson’s mother lived in the village before she died at the age of 91, and he helped out in her memory, providing vital contacts as well as moral support.”
The company also expanded the building’s galley kitchen, installing new fittings donated by a supporter.
Wheathampstead Chapel Community Hub was officially accepted as a charity in November 2021, with a remit of managing both the Chapel Gym and the 1970s hall at the back of the church, renamed The Chapel Halls, which are now used for various community activities.
The Chapel Gym opened its doors in September 2022, and now has 280 members, with very positive customer feedback, but is only just breaking even, so is looking to hit a target of 350 users.
The largest proportion of members are the over-50s, but it is also popular with youngsters aged 12-15, who are allowed to use the gym unsupervised by their parents between 4-6pm on Mondays to Thursdays.
“It’s a safe place they can come to after school. They’re really committed and it’s good to see them getting into healthy habits.”
Julie said recently appointed manager Colin Fisher has made a huge difference in the few months he has been there: “He moved the gym equipment around to provide a better flow, improved theclasses and made it a happier place to be.
“It’s like going down the local pub. People come in when they have a few minutes and meet villagers they know, then pop into Brewhouse opposite for a coffee.”
The relationship between Chapel Gym and Brewhouse coffee shop has proved mutually beneficial, with customers flowing between both premises to the extent that the owners joked they should build a tunnel under the road!
Although there is ample car parking on the site, the ethos of the gym is to encourage users to walk, with the majority of members from the Wheathampstead area. If you want to find out more about joining, visit https://chapelhub.co.uk/chapel-gym/
