Once upon a time 10 years ago, I met a big, smiley, shaven headed guy with a very mixed up accent, his name; Jason Crow. I met Jason at Chaucer hospital in Canterbury where he ran a PT centre for patients. I suppose our first encounter was basically an interview, which consisted of Jason talking at me about his dream “The Better Body Shop”.

Instantly I was pulled in, the passion Jason had for The Better Body Shop and the future was so overwhelming, I just had to be a part of it!

 

Back then The Better Body Shop was located at Godfrey’s lawnmower offices next to Sainsbury’s. Just to give you and idea, the whole gym was smaller than our reception area now, all bookings completed on an A4 sheet of paper, no cleaner, no receptionist, no music system and no heating, I’m sure you get the idea….but still, I absolutely loved it!

Who knew one small room, Jason Crow, some amazing interesting clients could make a fun working environment.

In 2008 I left BBS to go travelling for a year, when I came back I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to BBS, working in a small cold office again! When I returned from traveling I went by the gym to say hi to Jason and have a catch up, this day early July 2008 is the day I met Chris Wharton! (I say no more).

The team had grown, there was more office/training space, more equipment and the vibe was brilliant… I was pulled back in!

After a few more years the gym was getting too small, we were at full capacity, it was time to move. The gym you know today wasn’t quite ready, so we moved to a “pig farm”, which just shows it doesn’t matter where you train but who you train with, our clients were so dedicated, they all followed. Then, together with our amazing clients we build this place.

As you well know, the gym today is a lot different, I look older for one and Jason has more hair (which I can’t quite workout) the gym has still kept the family atmosphere which I fell in love with all those years ago.

People still ask me why I have worked here for so long, “why don’t you work in a gym in Canterbury closer to home!”

My answers:

– Who can laugh so hard that your throat hurts on a daily basis in your work place?

– I have the most amazing, kind, and loyal clients, a lot of of which I have trained since day 1.

-There is no better working environment than the BBG…FACT

-I’ve made dozens of friends for life

-I’m proud to be part of BBG

-This is my second family and my second home

The last 10 years has taught me a lot about life. Perhaps most importantly that your work and working environment shapes you into the person you are today.

 

In my opinion this is why our clients get such amazing results. All too often gyms are run for people who are already in amazing shape. This makes it so much harder for those that actually need our help the most. No one likes walking into a gym and feeling intimidated and unwelcome.

One thing is for sure, everyone has a place in our family, no matter what your goal, age or weight!

 

So here we are, about to head into 2017 with a stronger team of trainers and clients than ever before. I want to thank each and every one of you (past and present) for making this place what it is. This years Christmas party was brilliant, thank you to everyone who came and to those who bought a toy for the children’s hospital.

In fact all of our Christmas parties have been excellent. Check out some pics from the last nine years!

Much love,

Lucy 🙂