Six months ago, as the beautiful summer declined, we opened the doors to Beyond Walls (somehow exactly on time!) and we stepped inside into the unknown. Would people turn up? Would they enjoy it? Would they ask if this was, in fact, CrossFit? (Yes, they did.)
In the subsequent six months we’ve seen sweat, grit, and determination. We’ve seen people take on their first ever competitions, drag their friends & families in to train, master new skills and make new friends. We've seen 6 week old babies and 84 year old athletes...and dogs, quite a few dogs!
So many highlights, laughter, and the occasional near-collapse on the gym floor. What are my highlights? Here's a few of the moments that have made Beyond Walls what it is today.
👤 Our First Member – A Moment That Felt Right
I won’t embarrass her again, and technically, this happened before the gym even opened, but I will never forget our first member and that early conversation. From the very start, something about Beyond Walls felt right—and having this person as member #1 just confirmed it. She embodies everything we’re about: grit, determination, and a willingness to jump into something new (even if she had no idea what she was getting into).
🚪 Opening the Doors—Just in Time!
Seeing so many of our outdoor fitness crew step inside with us was an unforgettable moment. I’ll never forget the question, "So Jamie, is this CrossFit?" At that moment, I knew we were doing something right… because Beyond Walls was always meant to be more than just a CrossFit gym. Our goal is to measurably improve the health of our community, and that means creating a space where everyone belongs—whether they call it CrossFit or not!
🎄 12 Days of Fitmas – The Generosity (and Cake!)
December is a tricky month for staying motivated, but somehow, you all lifted, ran, rowed, and baked your way through it. Thanks to your kindness (and questionable sugar moderation), we raised over £2000 for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. And let’s be honest—there was a lot of cake, and absolutely no regrets.
🔥 Winter Throwdown – 50 Members Took on Their First Competition!
Most of you had never done a CrossFit competition before, but that didn’t stop you. The energy, the grit, the cheering—it was everything we love about this community. Seeing you step up to the challenge and support each other through every rep was unforgettable.
📊 Athlete Check-Ins – Real Progress, Real Results
Since launching the InBody scanner, 69 members have had at least two scans, and together, you’ve lost 129 kg of weight and gained 36 kg of muscle. But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about seeing people realise their own strength, move better, and feel more confident in themselves. That’s what really counts.
💬 The Messages That Made Me Cry
I go back to our Google reviews whenever I need reassurance that we’re making a difference, but my birthday was something else entirely. The messages from members, sharing how Beyond Walls has impacted them, moved me to tears. Knowing this gym has helped people beyond just fitness is something we will never take for granted.
🏋️ The CrossFit Open – 52 of You Pushing Beyond Your Limits
52 of you stepped up to test yourselves, setting a benchmark for the future. But more than the workouts, it was the way you lifted each other up that stood out. The encouragement, the last-minute reps, the celebrations of personal victories—that’s what makes this gym special. And of course, we wrapped it up in style…
🎉 The Open Closing Party – A Feast of Generosity
After weeks of blood, sweat, and no-reps, we celebrated with an abundance (yep, Julie's word, I'd have said "a shit load") of food, drinks, and good vibes. It wasn’t just about the competition—it was about celebrating each other and the community we’ve built together.
🤱 Newborns & New Mums in the Gym
Thanks to Joanna and her postnatal PT programme, we’ve had brand-new babies (and their mums!) training in the gym. Some of these little ones already have better squat depth than the rest of us!
🎂 Our 84-Year-Old Athlete & Families Training Together
Fitness for life? We mean it. Seeing an 84-year-old athlete train and watching so many of you bring in your mums, dads, kids, and siblings proves that strength has no age limit.
🩷 Broadening the Conversation – Becky’s Pelvic Floor Health Session
Becky’s session on Pelvic Floor health sparked the kind of conversations that don’t happen often enough in fitness spaces. If we can talk about deadlifts and macros, we can talk about pelvic health too. Removing stigma, adapting training, and supporting lifelong fitness? That’s what we do.
These are just the edited highlights, I've had to leave out the first name on the PB board (Rachel!!), Team Building events, Gain Line visiting, Seminars, the 100 member milestone, football happening on-site for the first time in years, the Christmas Social, welcoming our newest coach...the list goes on!
And this is just the beginning. Over the next six months, we’re building on everything we’ve started with a busy schedule of events over the summer and beyond.
Beyond Walls isn’t a building or a set of weights or a workout programme. It’s you—the people who show up, give their all, support each other, and make this place what it is.
We’re beyond grateful for you. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or just joined recently, you are what makes Beyond Walls special. Thank you for believing in this community. Thank you for pushing past your limits. Thank you for making this more than just a gym.
Here’s to six months behind us—and an even stronger future ahead. 💪🔥
#BeyondWalls #StrongerTogether #SixMonthsStrong
