A Newark fitness enthusiast dedicated to promoting the benefits of exercise to people living in deprived areas is aiming to reach even more people thanks to a number of community grants.
Gorilla Man Fitness has now become a Community Interest Company, meaning owner Adam Savage will be able to apply for community grants to buy more equipment, purchase a van and fund the running cost, enabling him to reach more people in the community.
“When you have been through what I have been through in life, all I want to do with my life is help and inspire people because if it wasn’t for people helping and supporting me, I would not be where I am now,” Adam said.
Adam was just 11 years old when he was hit by a car at 90mph while on his bike, leaving him in a coma for six weeks, and his parents were told to expect the worse.
When he woke from my coma he had to relearn everything, and was told by the doctors that he would not walk again.
But after a year in a wheelchair, he defied all the odds and managed to not only walk again, but has now gone on to own his own fitness company and aims to promote the benefits of fitness within the wider community.
In order to grow his business, Adam contacted the Economic Team at Newark and Sherwood District Council for help with a business grant for a van in November 2023.
Because he doesn’t make a profit and is the only staff member, he wasn’t eligible, so he applied to become a Community Interest Company (CIC) instead, which was approved, and he said his plan is to set up more community fitness groups in deprived areas where people can’t afford a gym membership.
He said: “I feel great now that I am set up as a CIC because it is another step up the ladder and I feel accomplished.
“It has taken a long time to get here, and now I can work on the next step of my plan to help people.
“It means I will be able to reach the wider community and set up more community fitness groups.
“Fitness helps your mental health more than keeping fit, the Community Fitness Groups will also enable people to meet up with other people and have a chat, a laugh and socialize while keeping fit.”
Adam has already helped a number of people to improve their mobility and fitness levels during his sessions, including a lady who trains with him in a residential home who can now reach her cupboards and carry shopping bags without pain, and a gentleman who always sat down for the class as he uses a walking frame to walk, but now stands up.
As his business grows, Adam said that he is hoping to employ people from the area.
“I still can’t believe how it has grown in the last five years since I had the idea of becoming a personal trainer to what it is now,” he said, “I am a big believer that if you work hard at something then you get results.”
“I love doing my job because I see what an impact I am having on people’s lives.”