ARK Konditioning Klub officially opened on October 5 after husband and wife, Jamie and Samantha Hope, transformed a storage unit at Kingmoor Park Central into a gym in four weeks.
The business offers small-group personal training, with no more than eight people per session.
Training includes strength, conditioning and hybrid exercises, supported by planned programmes and coaching.
For Jamie, opening the gym marks a major change after 12 years working as an engineer.
Inside ARK. (Image: Supplied)
With a background playing in Carlisle United’s youth setup and later playing semi-professional football in his mid-twenties, this year, he decided to leave his job and follow his long-held ambition of working in health and fitness.
Jamie said: “Turning 30 in December last year really made me think. I kept asking myself, if not now, when?
“We’re not getting any younger, and I knew exactly the type of gym I wanted to open.”
Since January, Jamie has completed Level 2 and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications with DAHM Academy.
He said: “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my working life stuck in a factory until retirement, doing something that didn’t fulfil me.
“Life is too short not to give your dreams a go.”
Leaving a secure career was a major financial decision for the family.
Jamie said: “It was daunting, and it still is now!
“Sammy is working part-time after we had our little girl, so taking such a big financial risk was a huge decision for our family.”
Equipment inside the new gym (Image: Supplied)
Work on the unit began after a short delay but once approval was given, family, friends and other helpers worked to prepare the premises and install equipment.
Jamie’s father hand-painted the whole gym, working 12-hour days for seven days.
A delivery of equipment also brought an unexpected problem when the team had no way to unload it.
Neighbours at Clark Door, across the road, provided a forklift truck to help move the equipment.
Jamie said: “It really showed how much people were willing to help us get ARK off the ground.”
A soft launch was held at the end of September for close family and friends.
The evening included a pizza van and gave guests the chance to see the completed gym before the official opening.
The Hopes said they were proud to have welcomed more than 60 members during ARK’s first three weeks.
Jamie said: “I think the most rewarding part has been seeing how many of our members have never stepped foot in a gym before.”
ARK Konditioning Klub. (Image: Supplied)
He said coach-led classes helped members receive guidance, support and encouragement during their sessions.
Jamie said: “Walking into a gym for the first time takes courage, so we feel genuinely touched that they’ve trusted us to take that first step with them.
“For us, ARK isn’t just about fitness. It’s about helping people build confidence, achieve things they never thought possible and feel proud of themselves.
“We really are a gym for everyone.”