West Sussex gym launches dedicated personal training facility and moves to bigger site – take a look inside

The community-focused gym, in Phoenix Parade, Artex Avenue, moved to much larger space across the road last month – freeing up its old home to become a dedicated small group personal training facility.

Momentum by Optimus offers ‘coached personal training in small groups to provide a more personalised, supportive training experience for people in the local community’.

Alix Harvey, sales and marketing executive, added: “It looks very different in here to what it used to. We cleared everything out, put in new flooring, new equipment, and created much more space for the sessions. Momentum is targeting a client base that maybe has a little more income, but you get a lot for your money.

“Sessions are 4:1, so it’s a hybrid between a group exercise class with up to 16 people where you can get lost in it, but you’re not spending lots of money on a one-to-one personal trainer, so the price point is slightly lower than that.

“The benefit is you have the community feel of working alongside like-minded people looking to achieve goals similar to yours.”

Membership packages vary between one session a week to unlimited. And as well as the three expert coaches, there is also ongoing support from a dietician.

Sessions include elements of Hyrox and Cross Fit, but without putting people into too stressful an exercise zone. They also have functional elements, mobility and flexibility, strength training, pulse raisers and more – all geared towards ‘normal people’ staying fit and healthy to tackle daily life.

Alix added: “It’s for a sustained change over a period of time.”

Sessions are mixed-ability and mixed ages, and are suitable for all levels of fitness. They currently run Monday to Friday, with weekend sessions soon to be introduced. They run early morning from 6am to 10.30am, restarting at 3pm onwards.

I watched coach Fletcher Rose, who is also a rugby player for Worthing Raiders, leading three members through a session. It was very relaxed, friendly and he made sure each of them was working effectively and understanding exactly what to do.

As part of Optimus, they run judo, MMA, boxing and there is a studio at the back of Momentum for those. Optimus has a sister site in Chichester, but is very much an independent, local business.

Alix said: “We hope people from across Rustington, East Preston and beyond will come to see us. We want to smash any barrier people have to fitness and help them, because it’s different for everybody.

"We’re independent, and we have a real community feel. We often have DJs playing, a food van – we just want there to be a nice vibe. We’re working to bring Optimus up to a commercial level but retaining an independent feel where we know your name and you’re not just a number.”

Over at the new Optimus site, they have three-times the space they used to, plus a dedicated fitness studio and separate café, neither of which they had before.

As well as serving members, the café is also open to the community and already has mum and baby and women’s groups using it.

There is also lots of space upstairs which is in the process of being transformed, with plans for a reformer pilates studio, potentially a spin studio, possibly physio and massage therapy, space for clubs to meet and more.

Alix said: “The member reaction has been great to the move. They are loving the extra space and the additional facilities, such as a dedicated Hyrox space with classes starting next week.

"We’re aiming to become a real health hub. We’ve also got plans for a wellness suite with infrared saunas and maybe a cold plunge. Hopefully all of this will be in place by early next year.”

For more information, visit https://www.optimusgym.co.uk/optimus-rustington/ or see https://www.facebook.com/people/Momentum-By-Optimus/61591633509017/