The Rest Is Fitness

This week we talk about the history of Alex working at the gym and we dive into some funny moments we have done together!

Mid-Year Goals, HYROX Prep, and England Football: Onwards and Upwards at CrossFit Shropshire Graham and Alex introduce a new music intro, chat about their mid-year progress, and share updates from CrossFit Shropshire. Alex discusses training for HYROX (including Birmingham and a possible abroad event), adding Pilates, growing gym membership and classes, and finishing a new PT studio for a July launch. They drift into England football talk, including West Ham’s relegation, England beating Mexico 3–2, and jokes about “Three Lions” and “years of hurt.” Graham shares his own progress: dropping from 120kg to 110kg through training three times a week, reducing alcohol, eating better, and lowering cholesterol by one point to 5.26 with a 3.6 ratio. They preview HYROX in October, a new running club with coach Jenny starting in July, record membership momentum, and a July dragon boat race fundraiser, then offer tips for listeners: start now, start small, build routine, and work with a coach who tailors goals and a plan. 00:00 New Intro 01:13 Midyear Goals Check 01:42 Alex Wins So Far 02:29 Tech Glitch Moment 03:30 Football Tangent 06:33 Graham Weight Loss 07:58 Food Everywhere Problem 08:48 Cholesterol Update 10:27 Hyrox Training Plans 11:57 Dragon Boat Fundraiser 12:44 Tips To Start Now 15:01 Wrap Up And Socials

Rest is Fitness Podcast: Summer Events, New Merch & Gym Favourites at CrossFit Shropshire Graham and Alex welcome listeners to the Restless Fitness Podcast, noting the last episode brought new members and record views, and they discuss making more episodes now that their setup is built (with thanks to Lenny for a loaned microphone).They outline CrossFit Shropshire’s summer community focus, highlighting the dragon boat race on the 18th (Saturday) with a barbecue, supporters, and a request for donations/sponsorship via a link, plus more socials and a September event tied to Graham’s CrossFit anniversary and birthday.They preview new T-shirts/merchandise with Kaz helping and a possible link. The conversation shifts to favourite and least favourite exercises (squats, deadlifts, burpee broad jumps, sled push, pull-ups, inchworms), mentions Alex’s massage work, naming workouts after members who emigrate (including Adeola moving to Canada), and compares gym culture and cleanliness in Japan and Hong Kong, before closing with growth goals and an Australia sponsorship email.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:09 Gym Updates and Setup01:01 Summer Plans and Merch01:30 Dragon Boat Fundraiser02:22 Barbecue Banter03:21 September Anniversary Event04:06 New T-Shirts Drop04:58 Favorite Exercises Talk05:20 Squats Deadlifts and Hyrox05:45 Sled Push vs Burpees06:17 Pilates Flow Banter06:41 Worst Exercises Debate07:00 Massage and Recovery Plug07:43 Inchworms Explained08:38 Naming Workouts for Clients09:41 Culture Food and Gym Talk11:15 Fitness Travel Amsterdam Plans11:49 Wrap Up Views and Sponsors

Graham and Alex welcome listeners to the Rest Is Fitness podcast and discuss launching HYROX at their gym over the past two weeks, including building a smooth, official 20m sled track using tons of MOT and sharp sand with help from Eric. They outline how HYROX has been integrated alongside CrossFit without replacing classes, bringing the schedule to 40+ sessions weekly, plus yoga, Pilates, and BJJ. They explain the main HYROX class formats: HYROX 90 (scaled full eight-station workout with gradual running build-up and alternatives), HYROX 60 (shorter version), HYROX EMOM (45s work/15s transitions across stations and rounds), HYROX Engine (cardio focus), and HYROX Strength (technique and progression from open to pro weights). They mention upcoming simulations, community event travel plans, small-group coaching, and invite potential coaches to get in touch.00:00 Podcast Kickoff00:17 Launching HYROX00:58 Building Sled Track01:31 Track Specs Benefits02:11 Weekly Class Lineup03:32 What Is HYROX 9005:17 HYROX 60 Monday05:52 HYROX EMOM Tuesday07:02 HYROX Engine Thursday07:53 HYROX Strength Friday08:35 No Rep Frustrations08:55 Technique Over Strength09:07 Events And Community09:35 CrossFit Meets Hyrox09:48 Full Circle Training10:37 Filthy Fifty Lesson11:37 First Hyrox Sickness13:36 Gym Offerings And Sessions14:36 Growing The Coaching Team15:54 Like Subscribe Farewell

In this episode, Graham and Alex pull back the curtain on what it truly means to run and support a local fitness business. Transitioning from a bumpy, "winging it" pre-production setup directly into the heart of community culture, the hosts explore the stark differences between local independent gyms like CrossFit Shropshire and giant corporate chains. They dive deep into personal history, celebrate life-changing member milestones (including a gym romance that led to marriage!), and share raw, personal moments of pride, covering everything from breaking gender boundaries in Pilates to overcoming dyslexia in the traditional school system.Key Takeaways & Discussion Points1. What Makes a Fitness Business Truly "Local"?Rooted in Shropshire: Both hosts share their deep local roots. Graeme highlights his journey from Belvedere School, Sixth Form College, and Cardiff University (Product Design) back to Shropshire for its beautiful green spaces and tight-knit community. Alex shares his path from living abroad to settling in the area to raise his family.*The Destination of Revenue: Unlike massive corporate chains where profits disappear into a corporate void, every penny made at CrossFit Shropshire goes right back into the facility. Over the last 5 years, a massive 300%+ revenue increase has funded crucial infrastructure updates like new toilets, showers, car park upgrades, and a constantly moving fence!Scaling Content & Classes: The gym has scaled dramatically from offering just 10 classes a week to preparing to cross the 40+ weekly class mark, targeting a bustling community atmosphere from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.2. Independent Gyms vs. Corporate Chains (The USP)Knowing Your Name: The major Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of a local gym is that you are never just a membership number. Even if members attend different times (6:00 AM vs. 6:30 PM), community and social events mean everyone knows everyone.The "Ghost Membership" Corporate Model: Corporate chains thrive on thousands of ghost memberships—hoping 90% of people sign up but never actually walk through the door. Local gyms provide true accountability. If you drop off, the team reaches out to help you navigate when life gets in the way.Flexible, Human Policies: A local business doesn't burn bridges. If a member needs a pause, a cancellation, or a refund due to unforeseen life events, they handle it personally without predatory corporate contracts.3. Coaching, Mentorship & Changing LivesHomegrown Coaches: CrossFit Shropshire acts as a incubator for growth. Multiple regular members (including Lucy, Tim, Nick, Stu, Abby, and Alex himself) enjoyed the environment so much they pursued their own qualifications to become fitness professionals.International Impact: They celebrate the development of former coach Bea, tracing her progression from running her first flawless class to moving out to continue her journey in Australia.4. Deep Dive: Moments of Pride (Fitness & Life)The Mental Shift: For both hosts, the proudest fitness moments aren't just about heavy lifting or weight loss; they are about helping highly anxious, self-conscious individuals realize they are strong and belong in the gym space.The Gym Wedding: A standout milestone for the gym community was seeing two members, Dan and Annie, meet at the facility and ultimately get married.Alex's Pilates Triumph: Alex shares a personal proud moment of stepping wildly out of his comfort zone as the only male in a 20-person Pilates instructor certification course—a decision that fundamentally fixed his body from years of football and heavy lifting.Overcoming the Odds: Alex reflects on growing up with dyslexia 20 years ago in a rigid corporate school system that shoved him aside and told him he would struggle for the rest of his life. Through raw work ethic and determination, he built a life traveling the world, owning a home, raising a family, and thriving in business.Top Tips From This Episode for Gym BeginnersIf you are incredibly nervous or anxious about stepping into a gym environment, Graeme and Alex suggest a clear roadmap:1. Go the 1-on-1 Route First: Book a private session with a coach before joining a large group class. It helps you get a feel for the "vibe" of the facility in a low-stakes environment.2. Build Technique & Confidence Gradually: Use personal sessions to master the basic mechanics so you feel safe and capable.3. Interview Your Professional: Make sure the coach you are working with operates on the same wavelength as you and has the specific skill set to address your goals.Support the Podcast!The guys went viral with 22k views on their last major drop and they are aiming even higher for this episode! Help them hit their goals:👍 Target 1,000 Likes on YouTube 🚀 Target 50,000 Views🔔 Target +50 New Subscribers to the channelUntil next time, turn up, bring the work ethic, and take care!

What would you do… if you had to start your fitness journey all over again?No strength.No routine.No confidence.Just you, at day one.In this episode of the Fitness, Health & Happiness Podcast, Graham and Alex break down exactly how they’d rebuild their fitness from scratch, smarter, faster, and with far less frustration.Because the truth is… most people don’t fail because they’re lazy.They fail because they start the wrong way.Inside this episode:The biggest mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)What actually matters in your first 30 daysHow to build confidence before intensityWhy consistency beats “going all in” every timeThe simple routine we’d follow if we had to restart todayThe honest truth:If you try to do everything… you’ll end up doing nothing.The people who succeed in fitness aren’t the most motivatedThey’re the ones who make it simple enough to stick.This episode is for you if:You’re thinking about starting but feel overwhelmedYou’ve started before… and stoppedYou want to get fit but don’t know where to beginYou’re ready to do it properly this timeTake the first step:If this episode hits home, don’t just listen, act.Send us a message, come try a session, or just start small today.Because the best time to start…Is before you feel ready.