Seaham gym announces new partnership as it embarks on new chapter
A Seaham gym facing closure has joined forces with an independent family-run business as it heads in a “completely different direction”.
ATD Fitness is leaving its home in Seaham Grange Industrial Estate at the end of the year to collaborate with Gym 55, in Church Street.
Earlier this year, ATD Fitness announced it would be leaving its current premises in December after owners were told their lease would not be renewed.
ATD Fitness founder, Andrea Dixon, said: “Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we weren’t able to secure suitable new premises and we’ve now made the incredibly difficult decision to close the doors to our current gym in December.
“Rather than giving up on everything we’ve built over the years, we’ve decided to take ATD Fitness in a completely different direction.”
Andrea has decided to move away from her group exercise studio and focus solely on personal training, supporting small groups of up to six women both in-person and online.
She said: "As women age, especially through perimenopause and menopause, maintaining muscle mass, bone strength and physical independence becomes increasingly important.
“I don’t just want to help women look good now. I want to help them stay strong, healthy, capable and independent for decades to come.”
Andrea continued: “Over the years, through coaching women of all ages, I’ve become increasingly passionate about educating women – particularly those in their 40s, 50s and beyond – about the importance of strength training for their long-term health.
“So many women still think exercise is purely about burning calories, losing weight or getting smaller.
“I want to help change that mindset.”
Andrea and her husband John, who also helps run ATD Fitness, are looking forward to partnering with Tony and Dawn Attrill of Gym 55.
Tony and Dawn, who also runs pilates and dance business Dawn’s Fitness, took over the running of the Church Street gym back in 2014, putting “their heart and soul into it”.
Andrea said: “The owners of Gym 55 have built their business from the ground up and invested a huge amount of money into developing the gym over the past couple of years, including introducing 24/7 access.”
Speaking about the new partnership, Tony and Dawn said: “We are very excited to have ATD Fitness on board.
"Andrea has built such a great community which she can bring here.
"She has so much positivity around what she does – it’s infectious.
"We’re both just really excited.”
From January, Andrea will be working within Gym 55 to deliver her new sessions in an environment that “gives women access to the equipment and support they need to build real strength”.
She said: “It’s been an emotional decision because we’ve built such a fantastic community at ATD Fitness, and naturally, a lot of our members are devastated that the classes are coming to an end.
“But we’re also genuinely excited about the opportunity this creates.”
There will be an open day at Gym 55 on Saturday, November 7 from 10.30am to find out more about what Andrea has to offer.