Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and following subsequent Government regulations, Bridge Road Barbell Club have had to temporarily close our doors until we have been cleared to re-open to the public.

I appreciate how frustrating this very difficult period is for everyone.  We were left with no option but to close our doors at the start of the official lockdown, but hope that the strong measures taken by the Government will allow us to return to relative normality in the not too distant future.

Training is a huge and important part of our lives and it leaves a very big hole when it is taken away and our routines are disrupted. Several people have borrowed equipment to enable some training to continue at home and I urge as many of you as possible to maintain whatever form of training you can.  It is beneficial for both your physical health but also your mental well-being. With many of us being confined to barracks for large parts of the day, which can be quite depressing, having a period each day where you can release some endorphins from exercise is imperative.

To all my members and clients, I imagine you will be concerned about losing the results you have worked so hard for. Whilst I am sure there will be a few weeks in which we all have to spend building back up and reacclimatising ourselves to the weights we were used to, you will be pleasantly surprised how quickly strength comes back.

It is important that you look after yourself during this time and even if you cannot train as heavy as you would usually do, maintaining some base levels of physical fitness, joint mobility, flexibility and strength is important. Even some daily stretching, mobility work and bodyweight based exercises, combined with a daily walk can be enough to keep the body ticking over. Yes some strength will most likely be temporarily lost during this prolonged lockdown period, however what is vital is that when we can return to proper training, we are fit and healthy and ready to begin ramping up training again.

Whilst this forced reduction in training loads and intensity is irritating, you must try to make the best of the bad situation. If you’ve been experiencing joint pain, mobility issues, or technique / movement pattern problems then why not use this time to correct any of these issues or at least take a step towards fixing them. Some rest can be beneficial to allow joint or muscular inflammation to reduce from overuse during intense training periods.

To all members and clients, please email me on info@bridgeroadbarbell.co.uk or message me on 07788268672 if I can be of help with ideas / plans whilst training at home. Whether you have access to equipment or not, I can structure routines to maximise the potential of whatever kit you do have or give you great ways of making bodyweight training challenging.

Please know that at the earliest time possible I will look to re-open the gym but we have to follow the Goverment guidelines at the moment. Wishing you all the best, and I hope you are all well and staying safe.

Thank you to all the members/clients still supporting the gym during this time. It is greatly appreciated and the gym will return stronger than ever. I look forward to seeing you all again, and will be offering as much help as I can to get people back to full strength again and breaking PRs once normality resumes.

See you all soon.