RISE

Interview with Alex Would, Owner of RISE

What's the history of RISE?

I started off as a one-on-one personal trainer. I moved into the new premises three months ago to allow myself to offer small group training, as well as some two-on-one and three-on-one sessions. Now, moving forward, I’d like to open up further studios in the coming years.

What type of gym is RISE?

It’s aimed at a variety of people. There’s definitely a HYROX element to it, but it can be strength-based or cardio-based fitness. We also offer mummies and babies classes.

How has the rise of fitness racing such as HYROX influenced your training or programming?

There’s definitely a need for people to be doing different types of exercise. Introducing the sled has been a big thing for us because there aren’t many places around here that offer the ability to use one. We can also offer a full HYROX simulation here, which not many spaces have managed to create yet.

The competition side of things is definitely growing. We’ve got our first competition coming up in October. People are training towards events, whether individually or paired with a partner.

Interview with Alex Would, Owner of RISE

How did you work with Wolverson to create your space?

I initially contacted the team. I had worked with them previously in our home studio. I sent them some ideas and CAD designs from a friend. We edited and adapted them with communication over WhatsApp with the sales team to find the right fit. We made changes right up until the last minute. Even when some of the kit didn’t quite fit, it was resolved straight away and we got exactly what we needed.

Would you recommend Wolverson to others looking to open their own space?

Yes, definitely. A lot of my clients have come into the new space and commented on how good the quality of the kit looks and how well it fits. Personally, I can say the quality is excellent. There’s a great variety of equipment — from Concept and Centr kit to Functional rigs. We were able to find all the attachments we needed for the rigs, benches, and dumbbells.

I’m also really happy with the new flooring
and the sled track.