VANGUARD Fitness has been helping Lithgow residents become fitter, healthier and happier for five years.
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Owner and head coach Phil Evans reminisced about the early days of the business and was proud of his achievements.
"We opened up with a plan of making an impact on the health of people in Lithgow," he said.
Evans said it was a slow start having just two people in his first class and a personal training session.
"We tested the waters for a week and we kicked off memberships, we had maybe 10 and from then we fluctuated up into the 90s," he said.
"We're back down in the rebuilding phase coming out of this last lockdown."
Evans said he had a good member base who continued to support Vanguard despite coming in and out of lockdowns.
"I definitely don't agree with something like a gym being shut down when you're dealing with a health crisis," he said.
"It's been tough especially on people's mental health and the society as a whole but we've kicked through it."
During lockdown, Evans did his best to ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of his clients.
"We ran online challenges, zoom classes and just tried to make people keep going," he said.
"This one's [last lockdown] probably been particularly hard for everybody. Me personally, it was tougher because I just didn't know what was going to happen coming up to five years and uncertain if it was going to survive but we'll keep on fighting, we're not going anywhere."
Evans said he was proud of the fitness community he had formed in his 'Vanguard family'.
"It's been the biggest highlight for me and particularly coming out of our second lockdown having members open up about how they've been feeling through the situation," he said.
"Just to see them walk back through the door and see the change in their overall mental health, their productivity and all the benefits of exercising."
He encouraged more people to join the gym which houses a great community aspect.
"We are a CrossFit affiliate, but we also have personal training and boot camps and other elements. One of the principles of CrossFit is that community aspect and in here, we just have a great mix of age from teens to people in their 60s," he said.
"We all train together and have a laugh and support each other. So regardless of your age or gender, you're always welcome."
He wanted to thank everyone who has come through the doors over the last five years and supported one another.
"It's the fact that even if I'm the coach and I'm teaching the technique helping people, every other member is there to support and cheer them on," he said.
"There are so many people to thank for the five years and they will know who they are."
Vanguard will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a combined birthday and Christmas party in December.
"We'll have a combined party and put together some workouts and all have a good time. Past and present members or anyone wanting to know more about us will be able to come," he said.
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