Hebburn gym No Lippy Fitness shortlisted for prestigious National Fitness Awards
A Hebburn-based ladies only gym has been shortlisted for a prestigious fitness industry award.
A ladies-only gym in Hebburn has been shortlisted for a prestigious fitness industry award.
Donna Kerr-Foley, owner of No Lippy Fitness, has been shortlisted in the National Fitness Awards, the UK’s most prestigious fitness industry awards, and are therefore now in the running to win one of the industry’s top accolades.
The gym, located on Victoria Industrial Estate, has been shortlisted in the Ladies Only Gym of the Year category.
The Awards recognises excellence and achievement in fitness facilities throughout the UK with shortlisted facilities being the length and breadth of the country, as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Cornwall.
Former athlete Donna has raced and competed all over the UK until she was 22 and was ranked in the top five in the country over 100 metres.
She says she is still the fastest female sprinter ever to come out of the North East of England, and the record she set as a teenager has stood for more than 30 years.
After years of teaching at gyms, health clubs and council facilities, she wanted to start her own business, named Geordie Boot Camp.
Then she held a womens only session and said she realised nobody was holding back in the class.
No Lippy grew from bootcamp into a gym, but after some time away from the industry, Donna decided to make the gym’s mission to help make women feel strong with coached strength and conditioning sessions designed to build muscle, improve fitness.
The gym is for women aged 21 to 70.
“Over the moon”
No Lippy Fitness owner Donna Kerr-Foley said: "I am over the moon to be shortlisted and in a possible position to be crowned the best Ladies Only gym in the country.
“My members have created the most amazing supportive environment and community any one coach could as for and I am super proud to be their coach and friend."
The finalists will now go through to the next stage of the judging process where they will be out to impress by showcasing first-hand the great work they do in fitness in the communities that they serve.
The winners will be announced by Olympic medal winner and fitness expert Gail Emms at a glittering black-tie awards gala on Friday, November 27, at The Athena in Leicester.
“It’s a huge achievement”
National Fitness Awards’ event director Mike Hewitt said: “We have had a record number of entries this year, with the standard across the board being excellent – a true testament to the innovation and strength of the vibrant UK fitness industry.
“Getting on a shortlist has been more difficult than ever this year and it’s a huge achievement for all those that have made the finals – truly the elites of the fitness world.”