The Evo Bench helps Class Boutique Fitness to create interesting classes
Where most boutique studios operate within a niche, we approached things from a different perspective,” says Rob Suchet, founder of Class Boutique Fitness in Bath, UK.
“Rather than focusing on just one form of activity, we looked at what humans need in order to achieve the broadest range transferable fitness – that is, fitness we can use in our everyday lives. And the answer, of course, is that we need variety in our workouts.”
The boutique club, which opened on 18 February 2019, was therefore designed around a culture of movement and health, offering both yoga and HIIT classes – restorative yin and dynamic yang – alongside healthy nutrition in its HealthBAR café.
Going Upper Class Of the 55+ classes offered each week, eight are labelled ‘Upper Class’ to denote a lower impact option for older adults and those new to exercise.
“We don’t want anyone to feel patronised or as though we’re trying to create easy workouts for them,” says Suchet. “Neither do we want them to think they can’t go into the other classes if they prefer. However, we felt it was really important to properly cater for older adults: this is a group of people who can benefit from exercise more than any other age group.
“Above all, we wanted Class Boutique Fitness to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome, and we really do have all ages and abilities in every class: our membership base is about 30 per cent under 40, 50 per cent aged 40–60, and 20 per cent over 60 years.
“We also have a special offer for those aged 60 and over, whereby they get their first month free. To date, 70 per cent have gone on to become members.”
Personalised service Suchet continues: “We worked with Physical Company on our HIIT studio, where our Turn & Burn classes offer both cardiovascular and resistance training in just one workout.
“We wanted people to have all the kit they needed immediately to hand, and when I discovered the Evo bench – an inclinable bench with integrated storage – I knew I’d found the answer. We went for the fully-stocked model which holds 2–12.5kg dumbbells, 8kg and 12kg kettlebells, a slam ball, battling rope and two resistance bands. It means we have a huge range of exercises at our disposal, which allows us to create really interesting classes.”
He adds: “Physical Company also supplied Ecore Bounce 2 flooring, a top-of-the-range product that has all the functionality of impact flooring, with rubber backing to protect the joints and absorb noise, but with a wood finish that’s in line with our premium design.
“Working with Physical Company gave us the perfect combination of great products and personal service.”
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
The Evo Bench helps Class Boutique Fitness to create interesting classes
Where most boutique studios operate within a niche, we approached things from a different perspective,” says Rob Suchet, founder of Class Boutique Fitness in Bath, UK.
“Rather than focusing on just one form of activity, we looked at what humans need in order to achieve the broadest range transferable fitness – that is, fitness we can use in our everyday lives. And the answer, of course, is that we need variety in our workouts.”
The boutique club, which opened on 18 February 2019, was therefore designed around a culture of movement and health, offering both yoga and HIIT classes – restorative yin and dynamic yang – alongside healthy nutrition in its HealthBAR café.
Going Upper Class Of the 55+ classes offered each week, eight are labelled ‘Upper Class’ to denote a lower impact option for older adults and those new to exercise.
“We don’t want anyone to feel patronised or as though we’re trying to create easy workouts for them,” says Suchet. “Neither do we want them to think they can’t go into the other classes if they prefer. However, we felt it was really important to properly cater for older adults: this is a group of people who can benefit from exercise more than any other age group.
“Above all, we wanted Class Boutique Fitness to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome, and we really do have all ages and abilities in every class: our membership base is about 30 per cent under 40, 50 per cent aged 40–60, and 20 per cent over 60 years.
“We also have a special offer for those aged 60 and over, whereby they get their first month free. To date, 70 per cent have gone on to become members.”
Personalised service Suchet continues: “We worked with Physical Company on our HIIT studio, where our Turn & Burn classes offer both cardiovascular and resistance training in just one workout.
“We wanted people to have all the kit they needed immediately to hand, and when I discovered the Evo bench – an inclinable bench with integrated storage – I knew I’d found the answer. We went for the fully-stocked model which holds 2–12.5kg dumbbells, 8kg and 12kg kettlebells, a slam ball, battling rope and two resistance bands. It means we have a huge range of exercises at our disposal, which allows us to create really interesting classes.”
He adds: “Physical Company also supplied Ecore Bounce 2 flooring, a top-of-the-range product that has all the functionality of impact flooring, with rubber backing to protect the joints and absorb noise, but with a wood finish that’s in line with our premium design.
“Working with Physical Company gave us the perfect combination of great products and personal service.”
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure
destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international
portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.
Anytime Fitness opened more than one club a day in 2025 and is on track to maintain this rate
of growth this year, as parent company Purpose Brands targets further international expansion.
The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK,
creating a next-generation public leisure, health and wellbeing hub for the local community.
Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley, has reopened following
a £17m transformation designed to secure the long-term future of the public leisure asset and
reposition it as a community wellbeing hub.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
