Type of facility: Bodybuilding gym
Membership costs: Around £44 per month.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6:00-22:00 / Sat-Sun 9:00-18:00
Address: 112 Down Street,West Molesey, Surrey, KT8 2TU
Telephone: 020 8979 2245
Website: physiquewarehouse.com
Twitter: @physiquewarehse
How did Physique Warehouse start?
Physique Warehouse started eight years ago. I’ve worked in gyms for 20 years, doing everything from touring the UK with American bodybuilders, selling equipment wholesale, and retailing clothing at bodybuilding shows. I’ve kind of been in the middle of it all! Having a gym to pull all the aspects of the business together was the logical way to go.
One of my customers had done a great job in turning a derelict building into a gym but then decided to go in a different direction so we came in and took the facility to another level. It took time and substantial investment however it’s been worth it. I wanted to create a bodybuilding, strength, fitness and conditioning facility that wasn’t purely spit and sawdust.
What’s the general ethos of the gym?
From a training point of view it’s intense. It’s hardcore but it’s still all friendly. People are approachable and ready to give advice to newcomers of the game. It’s a stimulating atmosphere.
My ethos is this is a centre of excellence. We attract people from all over who come to train here. People do travel and they do put in the stint to get here.
What does your gym offer that other gyms don’t?
I wanted to create a gym that had a strong community spirit, somewhere with heart. We’ve devoted space in the reception area for a lounge and coffee bar where you can get shakes and food. We could have stuck a load of kit in there but I wanted to create a welcoming environment. Somewhere that’s got a little soul.
We actually won the National Strength Gym of the Year award last year. We were up against all sorts of other gyms up and down the country. So we’re definitely doing something right.
If you’re not a body builder is it still a good gym to visit?
Absolutely. I generally prefer the term body sculpting anyway, as body building is often synonymous with just getting bigger. We actually attract a lot of people who are after the “beach body” look and since our award last year our percentage of female members has absolutely rocketed. We also have a lot of independent personal trainers bringing their clients to train here and there’s a therapy room with a variety of physiotherapists using it.
If you’re serious about your training and you want a gym that has a hardcore atmosphere but not a hardcore attitude. Just because of the people who train might be massive it doesn’t mean they’re not polite!
