A dad has opened a new gym in a former church - where swearing during workouts is banned out of respect. Joe Newbold, 41, bought a church in the village where he lives for £93,000 - and spent three months transforming it into a gym.
The personal trainer, who trains around 50 people a week, hopes the church will bring in the local community and allow him to expand his business. He said: "I've been renting a space in the next village over for about five years, but it was only a small room and I had to bring equipment in and out to train clients.
"I've always been looking for a permanent residence and when the church came up it was perfect. It's got all the space I ever wanted and there's room for expansion in the future. The church itself is so unique - I've Googled gym's in old churches and it's such a rarity throughout the world.
"I've been in the industry for 25 years and I've seen a lot of PT studios that can all look similar and almost boxy - but this is really something unique which is something I've always wanted. We’ll keep the curse words to a minimum but there’ll still be plenty of blood, sweat and tears.''
After months of renovation, Joe, from Culmstock in Devon, was finally able to open the doors to his gym on January 9 2022. He says he hasn't "heard a negative word" from locals who have come to see the old parish church and that people are "happy to see it used again".
He added: "The congregation took the actual crucifix with them, which was good as it certainly wasn't anything I wanted myself. I'm trying to keep as many of the original and unique elements in there though.
''The stained glass windows, the plaques on the wall and the original brickwork around the windows. Of course people are used to grunting or cursing under their breath in the gym when their trainer makes them do some extra reps - but I guess we'll have to try and keep that to a minimum now we're in a church!
"I've noticed people will stop and read the original plaques around the church as well in between sets. I've had open days where all the locals came down to have a look.
''Some of the people who used to come here for church service got to come down and see what it has been changed to. There hasn't been a negative word - most people are just happy to see it used again."
