Rich Harvey, who runs the Hurt Locker on the Dreadnought Trading Estate in Bridport, spoke of his excitement after his gym was recognised in the England Business Awards.
He said: “It’s surreal – it’s only just sunk in this week.
“It’s all come as a massive surprise really. I was accidentally nominated in the Bridport Business Awards, and won that which put me through to the regional English Business Awards, where I was competing against other gyms in the Dorset, Devon and Cornwall region.”
Hurt Locker was awarded the best health and fitness business in Dorset at the regional awards, which will see Mr Harvey go up against national competition in November.
Having spent 13 years with the army, Mr Harvey said that his three-and-a-half-year-old business had a tough start.
He said: “After my time serving in the military was up in 2020, I had four weeks holiday which ended just as Covid started, so I was unlucky to be jobless for the next two years as a result of the pandemic.
“Having all this free time on my hands I wanted to do something I love, and I studied and worked hard during lockdown to build my own gym out of army savings.”
Mr Harvey said that he built up a great base over time to make his gym what it is today.
He said: “I have had zero advertising and everything has been word of mouth. Just quality people creating a positive, encouraging atmosphere that everyone loves – instead of feeling embarrassed or not wanting to be confident.
“It’s only me. I get the sets together, I’m the director and the cleaner, and I think it was the leadership of being a sergeant in the military that helps, and has meant that everyone respects everyone else. The other day, I saw a 19-year-old helping out a 70-year-old with an exercise.
“It’s been nice to be recognised and to be representing Dorset regionally, let alone nationally.
“Thanks to anyone who nominated me- you have helped make this the best and most inviting place in Bridport.”