A CONWY mobile fitness instructor who switched to supplying exercise equipment in lockdown has now just opened his second gym - and business is booming.

Jamie Bowen invested in gym machines stored in units at the giant Lock Stock Storage Park in Llandudno Junction and shipped to fitness fanatics for use at home.

Demand soared and when lockdown eased, the 34-year-old opened a new Ignite gym in Llandudno’s Oxford Road; he’s now opened a second on Church Road in Rhos on Sea.

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Jamie said: “I got into fitness as it was something I enjoyed and was eager to help others and coming from being a bit overweight I felt I could really help people in the same position.

“I got my qualifications and was doing mobile sessions back in 2017 when I had to give up my driving licence for a couple of years due to illness.

“I sold my car to fund my first unit to hold fitness classes and installed a few gym machines and then in lockdown I started renting out the equipment to locals to use in their homes to stay fit and saw an opportunity to rent more widely.

“Afterwards, I saw that gyms further afield wanted gym equipment so jumped on this.

“I sold the machines in my gym, generated extra money and started buying more equipment and it snowballed from there but I needed extra storage fast and turned to Lock Stock to help me out.

“I stored new and reconditioned gym equipment in 40-foot units at Lock Stock’s site in Llandudno Junction for sale and rental – rental had helped a lot of people who couldn’t afford to buy keep themselves fit and active in lockdown.”

Jamie now employs six people and has plans for further openings.

He added: “The gym has created a really strong community and people have found lifelong friends here.

“We see people come in after having a bad day and leave feeling amazing. It is really so much more than just a gym and we want to keep this going in more areas because we could see there was a gap in the market for a good, well-equipped modern gym and it has grown from there.

“This year has really started well. January is always a really busy time and we get people of all ages. Of course they want to get fit but it’s really good for mental health as well and many come just for that.

“I want our gyms to be nice places to be. Spit and sawdust are things of the past – we’ve got a special posing room for people to look their best, merchandise and sunbeds because our customers want to look good as well as feel good.”