The idea for the venture started in 1990, when a group of young Asian men took up weight training in a friend’s garage using home made equipment and bits and pieces bought for personal use over the years. After a while, word spread amongst friends and the garage became a popular resource for more and more people.
 | | Spotting at GymNation. |
Due to the large numbers turning up to use the makeshift gym, it soon became apparent that larger premises were needed. The gym then moved into various other premises, including another garage, a shop, a church hall and even at one stage a disused shower room. GymnAsian, as it became known was then offered rent free space at the former factory warehouse, now known as City Works. The City Works premises were only a temporary measure and it was soon time for a permanent place to be sought. With the help of many individuals and organisations, GymnAsian took over a neighbouring commercial gym and has since continued to grow.  There is much more to the gym than just fitness. You can get help there and it's more of a community thing. | | Ashraf Rhyman. |
Ashraf Rhyman from the Barton area has been using the gym for nearly six years. He said: "I started using the gym just after I left school at 16, and now I try and use it at least three times a week. "There is much more to the gym than just fitness. You can get help there and it's more of a community thing. I like to go there after work just to see what's going on". Today GymAsian is known as GymNation as it is used by many more communities than just the Asian community, and it aims to be more than just a gym, acting as one of the key voluntary groups in the City. Over 100 people, made up of many different nationalities and background use the facilities each week.  | | Asian women training at GymNation. |
It is open seven days a week, has one full time and two part time members of staff, and a number of volunteers. GymNation’s ethos is to try and encourage healthy lifestyles for its members, helping them to gain confidence, and increase their physical and mental well being. Louis Dixon from Gloucester heard about the centre years ago and has recently started using the facilities. He said: "I have a really bad back and the staff at GymNation have really helped my recovery. I wouldn't be walking if it wasn't for them. "I go about four or five times a week and I have lots of friends down there. "I would recommend GymNation to anyone and have told many of my friends about it. It's really friendly, not in your face and there is always someone to help if you need it". GymNation aims to utilise its facilities as a platform to give members a chance to find out about opportunities, especially in relation to education or employment. Many of its members are ‘disaffected’ people, including refugees, asylum seekers and ex-offenders who do not make use of mainstream facilities and are reluctant to attend formal courses.  | | Shebaz training at GymNation. |
The gym is currently running a fitness instructor course in conjunction with Young Gloucestershire and the Adult Education Team. It is also helping to promote and assist people with applying for vacancies in the leisure industries. Louis Dixon said: "The staff have helped me with my physical training and also with job applications. It's a great place and really friendly". The aim of GymNation is not only to provide a meeting place and social activities in the Barton and Tredworth area, but to utilise the informal setting to achieve a number of aims, including: - Encouraging social interaction amongst different groups, e.g. youth, refugees, young and old, Asian, Afro Caribbean and white people.
- To work with the police, statutory and voluntary organisations to encourage them to meet with the local people.
- To refer people with queries and problems to the relevant agencies, e.g. law centre, housing and benefits advice.
- To consult with the young people to identify their needs and concerns and ensure that these are fed back to the appropriate agencies.
- To encourage people to get involved in voluntary activities and agencies around them (this includes working as a volunteer at the centre.)
- To promote and assist people with employment and education opportunities.
For more information contact Imran Atcha, Development Worker on 07077 022 393. | 
