A CHESHIRE gym which launched in the middle of the Covid pandemic has been named Best Health & Fitness Business in Cheshire at the English Business Awards.

Aptitude Health & Fitness, which is based in Farndon, took home the prestigious accolade on September 18 at a ceremony in Manchester. They will now be entered into the finals for the national ceremony, taking place in December in Birmingham.

Gareth Preston, owner of Aptitude Health & Fitness, launched the gym in October 2020 at Monument Place Business Park, which is owned by The Barnston Estate.

Gareth, a former athlete from Huntington in Chester, said: "We were absolutely delighted to have been nominated for this award after opening in the middle of the pandemic. Winning it has been a dream come true and a total credit to our amazingly talented and hard-working staff and trainers.

"As a gym we strive to offer something for everyone regardless of their fitness ability, age or financial constraint with all services available on a pay-as-you-go basis or with a monthly membership. Our classes are fun, varied and accessible for all and led by some of the best instructors in Cheshire and range from Spin & HIIT to Yoga and Pilates. Our mantra has always been ‘Stronger than Yesterday’.

"We are a new business with lots of exciting ideas for the future. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and with views across to the Welsh hills, our gym is also in an incredible setting with plenty of space to train indoors or outdoors."

Gareth and his team have over 60 years of combined experience in the health and fitness industry with many of the trainers and staff providing a wide variety of new and industry leading classes and one-to-one personal training to help individuals of all fitness levels achieve their goals.

Ed Barnston, Manager of the Barnston Estate, said: "We love supporting local businesses and it has been great seeing Gareth build such a successful business over the past two years. Huge congratulations to him and his team for winning Best Health & Fitness Business in Cheshire. It is thoroughly deserved after the hard work they have all put in."

For further information, visit: https://www.aptitudehealth.co.uk/.