That's the view of Naheed Akram, owner and founder of new Blaydon fitness centre and community hub MyRooh.
The centre, at Blaydon Works, Blaydon Bank, is not a gym, rather a space for classes, therapies and treatments with the emphasis on fun and inclusivity for the whole community and with the added bonus of a health café! It’s something new-mum Naheed has wanted to bring to the area for some time and she is now excited to see her dream become reality.
A project manager in the banking sector, she has always been interested in fitness and health and has a diploma in nutrition and weight management. Currently on maternity leave, after giving birth to first child Layla ten months ago, she set her sights on opening MyRooh and, after raising the cash needed, is now enjoying seeing her vision become reality.
“What Ive tried with MyRooh is implementing the classes I enjoy doing, which don’t always feel like exercise,” she explains. “It’s not like the gym, which can have that corporate feel to it where you go do your workout and leave without talking to anyone.”
“Essentially, its about everything I like doing in terms of more group-based classes, with the same people you can see every week and make friends with and hang out with in a nice, chilled-out environment.”
“MyRooh has a personal touch and a community vibe – an alternative social healthy place for people to hang out.” Naheed says issues surrounding body confidence in today’s society means many people don’t feel comfortable working out in a space such as a gym. So that’s where MyRooh comes in.
The company takes a holistic approach to fitness, concentrating on classes that are fun, which are complemented with relaxing therapies aimed at giving you a complete mind and body workout. All ages are encouraged to get involved, regardless of fitness levels, with the focus on inclusivity and being non-judgemental.
MyRooh fitness centre’s goal is to give clients a feeling of long-term wellbeing and it does that by offering classes and therapies carefully selected by its trainers and focusing on the latest and most sought-after trends in fitness and wellness around the world.
But overall wellbeing is not just about exercise and getting fit, so MyRooh complements its classes with a large range of therapies, from sleep rituals to salt scrubs, facials and massages as well as reflexology treatments and nutrition consultations.
Now a mum herself, Naheed was keen to offer classes to mums-to-be and new mums, with sessions and therapies specifically geared towards them and including postnatal fitness and yoga and prenatal dance and pilates. Rest-assured those leading the classes are all highly experienced in their different fields, with years of knowledge and expertise to make each session the best it can be.
“We’ve had an overwhelming response to our job advert and if anyone else is interested please do get in touch,” says Naheed. Plus, to provide the best possible service and to offer that community vibe, MyRooh wants to hear from you to learn about your fitness habits and goals and what you want from the centre.
At present, class types include dance, ballet, dance cardio, clubbing fit and music video routines – the latter really putting the fun into working out and de-stressing.
When it comes to fitness, the classes include high intensity interval training, butt and abs, kettlebells, boxfit and even back to the 80s! There is also a selection of pilates workouts and yoga classes to whet your fitness appetite.
Mind, body and soul treatments help you become the healthiest version of you, according to MyRooh, which is why it has an extensive range of therapies for clients, inspired from across the globe. These include a renewal rose ritual, coffee sculpting treatment, digital detox facial, pregnancy massage, Himalayan salt scrub and deep relief CBD oil massage.
Pricing starts at £7.50 for drop-in classes, £32.50 for bundle packages and £38.99 for monthly subscriptions.
For more information, follow @MyRoohHealth on Facebook