PROJECT SISU FIT EXPANSION

The aim of your project 

The goal of this project is to upscale our current model of group-lead training sessions with a better equipped and fully functioning facility so that we are able to work with more people looking to improve their health within Medway and the surrounding areas.

We will also have a commercial gym space and membership that allows members to be flexible with whatever time they want to exercise. This area will be fully equipped with all the functional/Hyrox training equipment needed and embed more people into our fitness community.

Alongside the commercial space we will have “Hot & Cold” therapy room, a spin studio where members can access their own cycle class at their convenience alongside a separate mobility studio, with the aim to introduce mobility, pilates and yoga sessions. 

We are upgrading our resident coffee shop “SIP” which will be able to offer our members and the local community speciality coffee, health and planet- conscious food, as well as a ‘third space’ to work or just enjoy. 

Who are we?

We are Sisu Fitness and our mission has always been to provide high quality coaching, a community and significant results with all our clients and members. 

Our USP has been creating a product and service that bridges the gap between a BIG class you would find at a regular commercial gym, and a one-to-one personal training session. 

With BIG classes in regular gyms we believe you do not receive the feedback and coaching such as in a one-to-one personal training session.

Our goal has always been to create a product and service that is as effective and nurturing as a one-to-one personal training session with the affordability of a gym class.

The group model allows enough time and personalisation for our members to work with our passionate coaches and sustainability without the price tag of personal training.

We believe this is how we have changed thousands of clients and members' lives by improving all their health markers with this exact model. 

Our inclusive, friendly and supportive community does an amazing job of making everyone feel welcome and important. This does mean our members are more accountable and being more accountable ensures our members health targets are met.

The story so far:

My Name is Matt Grimshaw and I have owned and managed Sisu Fitness since its inception in 2017.

From being overweight and in bad health myself in my early twenties, I went on a huge personal journey to educate myself about nutrition and exercise.

After I had lost 3 stone in weight I knew that helping others achieve the exact same thing was my calling. I qualified as a Personal Trainer and then switched my career to helping others.

A few years later my diary was completely full with one to one clients and I couldn't spread my knowledge, skills and coaching any further. 

At this point I decided to open Sisu Fitness, where I could work with hundreds of people instead of a small handful through the group training sessions. 

Over the years we have seen Sisu Fitness continue to grow every year to the point where we are unable to work with any new members. 

Now we have the infrastructure to move to a bigger premise that is 4 times the size of our current offer, it will allow us to grow and work more with our local community to guide them to achieve their health and fitness goals. 

We have noticed that as the functional fitness industry becomes more popular our offer needs to grow also. That’s why we need to expand our current premises in order to widen our offer to include additional functional fitness space, equipment and hot and cold therapy. And if you know about Sisu already, you know we like to make things different from your average gym, so expect other fun things in the new place too!

What are we crowdfunding for?

This is a £450k project. The monies raised during the crowdfunding campaign will go towards ensuring that the new premises complete fit out is done to the highest specification.The crowdfunding campaign helps us get closer to the total amount needed to complete this project. 

Our mission is to produce a space that feels comfortable, yet upscale. 

If anyone reading this campaign also has other skills or resources they could offer us to complete the fit out of the new premises, we would love to hear from you too. 

We would love you to donate and become part of our ‘Founders Club’ - a group of people who help us to create our dream. You will forever be part of the Sisu story and in turn enjoy the rewards associated with this unique club. A breakdown of the rewards are in the individual reward donation info boxes. 

Who will this project benefit?

Not only will this project benefit our current members, but the wider local community too. Sisu’s aim has always been to create a community of people within Medway, who enjoy spending their leisure time within facilities that offer high-end coaching and equipment. 

Expanding Sisu to the new premises means we can facilitate a healthy lifestyle for more members (split between coached classes, our new commercial (open gym) space, our spin studio and mobility studio). 

Sip also attracts many regulars who aren’t members of Sisu, who we treasure dearly, so we would like to provide an even better space for all of them, and of course the Sisu members to continue to enjoy. 

Why is fitness so important? 

Mind’s website currently stats on their ‘Mental Health Facts and Statistics’ Page that; 

• 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England
• 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England

And according to Medway Council’s website 69.4%of adults in Medway were overweight or obese in 2020/21, and there are concerns this number is growing. 

We know that working out regularly combats both mental and physical health. Many of our members explain how accessing Sisu ensures they are held accountable, happy and healthy. 

Please help us achieve this target by…

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who has supported us with this project so far.  We are now in the final phase of fundraising and can't wait to get started on the fit-out so that the new facilities can be used in time for Christmas and start making a huge difference to so many lives, including ours!  We would be so grateful for any support you can give us.