Entrepreneur hits the right gear with nightclub inspired fitness events

A fitness fanatic has turned a former warehouse into a fitness event studio, designed to transform a trip to the gym into being part of an interactive event.

Complete with its own dance floor and disco lights, Built90 Fitness in Doncaster resembles a nightclub more than a traditional gym.

The business was pioneered by Michael Fraser, who launched it after securing start-up loan funding from alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise.

Fraser was on Doncaster Rovers’ books as a youngster and keen to pursue a football career. However, he found himself side-lined through injury and unable to play.

He secured a room in a pub in Doncaster and began running weekly spin and fitness classes.

His success inspired him to launch his own fitness events company and he approached Finance For Enterprise for help.

Working with business lending manager, Gillian Pickard, he was awarded a £12,000 Start Up Loan, which he used to secure a lease on an empty industrial unit, as well as investing in exercise bikes and gym equipment.

Wanting to offer an alternative to a traditional gym environment, he added a nightclub feel with strobe disco lighting, a dance floor and a music system.

Since opening his business in January, Fraser has appointed a nutritionist and is making plans to open a second studio.

He said: “I didn’t want to simply run a traditional fitness class, I wanted to create a type of experience that was closer to being part of a show. My fitness philosophy is all about encouraging people to enjoy the time they spend exercising.

“I’m now hosting between eight to 15 events per week. I called the business Built 90 because it took me 90 days from considering running my own business to opening the doors of the gym.”

Pickard said: “Michael is a very driven and hard-working entrepreneur who is bringing a unique way of exercising to Doncaster. He knew from the outset that his business would require investment, to enable him to purchase the exercise bikes needed to run his spin classes.

“I helped by talking him through the options available through the Start Up Loans programme.

“Start Up Loans were specifically designed with new entrepreneurs in mind, and after reading through Michael’s business plans, which were supported with robust financial forecasts, I felt confident his business ideas would be a success. With funding in place, he was able to transform his ideas into reality.”