Forever-Strong Fitness and Performance celebrates third birthday

The Forever-Strong Fitness and Performance centre is celebrating its third birthday.

Operated by owner Gary Rothwell, Forever-Strong started as a small personal training gym in 2016, with only six gym members. It has now expanded to a team of eight coaches and support staff, helping people from the Rochdale area regain their confidence and enjoy life through health, nutrition, fitness and well-being activities.

Gary said: “The amount of people who have done over two years with us is incredible.

“Each and every one of them has seen incredible results during that time, whether it’s with weight loss, health benefits or just a feeling of well-being and self-confidence.”

One of the biggest aspects of the Forever-Strong community has been its fundraising efforts: each year, the gym raises money for charities close to its members’ hearts.

In 2018, the gym raised over £9,000 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation after one member was diagnosed with lung cancer, aged only 36, as well as raising over £1,800 for the Save Samantha fund.

In April this year, Gary ran a 40-mile ultra-marathon and Louisa Corlett ran the London Marathon in aid of Melanoma UK and over £2,000 was raised by the duo.

 

 

In June, a group of Forever-Strong gym-goers tackled the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge, walking the 25 miles in just over 11 hours, raising over £650 for Manchester Mind.

Gary continued: “With the summer holidays behind us, September meant it was back to business as far as fundraising goes. Over 30 of our ladies braved the unknown and took part in a fitness competition called The Sisterhood Trials on 15 September.

“To support the girls, the guys picked up their pom-poms and dressed as female cheerleaders and raised over £700 in support of CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and Melanoma UK. The event itself was fantastic, and the ladies pushed themselves through several physical events, winning the Tug of War event at the end.”

 

 

Forever-Strong also runs a homeless shoe box appeal throughout the year, where gym members have kindly donated their wares. On the last Friday of each month, a dedicated and committed team travel around the streets of Rochdale and Manchester to provide for those in need.

If you would like to take part in the shoebox appeal for the homeless then you can drop off items at Unit 3N, Moss Mill Industrial Estate, Woodbine Street East, Rochdale, OL16 5LB.

Forever-Strong will hold its annual fundraising event, Kettlemania – eight hours’ worth of physical activities – on 23 November.

Kettlemania is geared to all ages and abilities, with activities such as parent and child sessions, family yoga and a fancy dress session to help make it more fun.