Personal trainer sees 'incredible' response to new Ascot fitness studio

A personal trainer is glad he finally ‘made the jump’ to open his own fitness studio in Ascot.

After working as a football coach and a PE teacher, Lee Baldwin became an exercise instructor a decade ago and has been working at clubs and leisure centres along the Windsor to Staines ‘corridor’ ever since.

Now the 34-year-old from Bracknell has achieved a ‘major goal’ since joining the fitness industry and unveiled Shift and Shape Studios in Ascot High Street.

“I plucked up the courage – it was scary to actually jump into starting my own business,” he told the Express.

“I just wanted to find a place that was in a good area and around my customers.

“It's incredible. I'm so glad I made the jump and had the courage to go for it.

“I've had so much love and support from everyone, and it's been such an overwhelming experience.

“I’m so happy – trying to keep the ball rolling, that's the main thing. Just keep busy, keep going.”

At the opening ceremony on Saturday, August 16, the studio hosted fitness challenges and gave away prizes in a raffle and a ‘guess how much protein was in a jar’ competition.

They also hosted three free personal training sessions and provided freebies to attendees, including t-shirts and travel mugs.

“Everyone that I knew came along, which is good, and new people from around the Ascot area saw through Facebook and came along. A lot of new faces, which is just brilliant,” said Lee.

“We've got a good parking area where people can pop in, and the train station is not far.

“If I could reach everyone in Ascot, that would be incredible, and obviously, the surrounding areas would help as well.”

Joining owner Lee is head personal trainer Abbi Carter from Datchet, who will be available twice a week, whilst Pilates classes will also be available.

Lee searched for these premises for more than a year, keen to avoid office blocks and wanting to be on the ground floor level for easy accessibility and proximity to the High Street.

After receiving the keys for the unit on July 31, he undertook a two-week renovation in time for the opening day.

“It was two units, so we had to take out a wall in the middle and an office section in one of the units and make it one big open space,” said Lee.

“A lot of DIY. Two weeks in and out. We had to replace the floor and the ceiling, and do lots of painting – I don't want to see a paintbrush ever again.”

But he had the support of his family and friends, and his dad was a ‘major help’ in bringing the project together.

“I’ve been walking around everywhere posting leaflets to everyone, but [it’s been a] good response so far, so I'm very happy with how it's going,” Lee said.

“Fitness in general is more accessible. People are getting more and more into it, so I think that the demand for fitness is very high.”

Shift and Shape Studios at 3B on Ascot High Street is open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm and from 7am to midday on Saturdays, but timings can be flexible.