THRIVE

Ollie Holtam (Owner of THRIVE)

WHAT TYPE OF GYM IS THRIVE?

We offer small group personal training. We work on a six to one ratio, so that is one coach to every six members. Regarding who we work with and who we love working with, it is genuinely people who have historically been a little disillusioned with standard gym memberships; those who turn up and aren't quite sure what to do.

Interestingly, if you took a snapshot of our members, there is a very diverse demographic. However, what is really evident from speaking with them is a shared underlying motivation. Regardless of their background or age, many are simply looking to "stay in the game." They want to be as strong and fit as possible while ensuring they stay safe doing it. Having high quality coaching ensures they are heard and listened to, making sure their goals are specifically curated through every session.

HOW DID YOU WORK WITH WOLVERSON?

Any time I called, somebody picked up the phone immediately; they were always there with an answer and happy to give me their time. I had a clear idea of what I wanted. I spoke with the team regarding our square footage and the rig we have; I knew I wanted three bays back to back. They provided a custom solution, saying, "Yeah, that is absolutely something we can do," even though it wasn't necessarily an "off the shelf" product.

They also gave me a good idea of how much kit would fill the rack. It was really important to me that I wasn't just buying equipment for the sake of it, but rather utilising the space effectively.

HOW HAS FITNESS RACING CHANGED THE INDUSTRY?

Events like HYROX and some of the newer competitions coming out are really appealing. But for us, it is about stripping it back and having a conversation with someone who says, "That looks really cool." To be able to do that, you need to understand the fundamentals of your body's mechanics. What can you physically do? What can we improve? What do we need to identify and work on?

Whether it is a basic squat pattern, a hinge, a push, or a pull, it has been awesome to see people aspiring to do these cool events. From my point of view, it is about making sure they do not miss that first step: understanding how to move really well and creating a baseline of strength. When it comes to pushing your body to the extremes, whether that is HYROX, a marathon, or whatever else, fundamentally, you need to know how to move well first.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND WOLVERSON TO OTHERS?

Yes, absolutely. I would definitely recommend Wolverson. There are always "bells and whistles" you can add, but their core equipment, the racks, the benches, and the basics, is all premium, durable, and feels great.

It is also about the simple touches, like being able to stand our benches up to utilise floor space. Knowing they have thought those things through really improves our member experience. In terms of quality and the experience of working with them, I have no issues at all. I would happily recommend Wolverson to anyone.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Initially, it is really important to us that we keep improving the experience for our existing members. We are always looking at ways to enhance that, as many of our members are rightly interested in increasing the longevity of their health, fitness, and strength.

Our focus is on getting the right people through the door, the ones we truly want to work with, while constantly evolving our membership and our coaching to ensure we provide a truly premium experience.