Groundwork Fitness

Fantastic experience: Excellent gym with fitness equipment and best physiotherapy. Newcastle. Highly recommend Phillip Stucky for both physiotherapy and general fitness advice.

Fantastic experience: Karl is very knowledgeable and takes the time to ensure you understand the correct way to exercise without strains or aches ( I lied about the aches)

Fantastic experience: Strength training under Karl's watchful eye has really improved my golf. I visit Groundwork Fitness twice a week and over the past six months I have noticed very positive changes in core strength, balance and also just a feeling of well being. I am 76 years young at heart and this sort of exercise keeps my body strong.

Fantastic experience: Karl is professional, highly skilled with years of experience and a caring trainer. He has the ability to make you want to do and be better!! I love going to my 3 sessions every week - my health and confidence has improved thanks to Karl Review by Di McArtney

Fantastic experience: At the wrong end of my 60 plus years I was beginning to feel my age. My strength was in rapid decline and it felt like my bones were doing the heavy lifting rather than muscle. A friend recommended Groundwork Fitness and after my initial visit with Karl I had some one on one training to learn the correct techniques for exercise with weights. In the 5 months I have been training with Karl I've noticed everyday tasks much easier to perform, my balance has improved and my bones and body feel stronger. Karl's personality makes training 'interesting' with never a dull moment and lots of laughter. The facilities and equipment are state of the art and always scrupulously clean. Karl is not only an inspirational trainer but is also a whiz with a mop and bucket

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Groundwork Fitness for those who are serious about improving their ongoing fitness through strength training using the correct technique. I had never exercised in my life and never contemplated I would walk into a gym. A year ago, in my late 60’s, I became very concerned about noticeable muscle loss and slowing down in movement. I was lucky enough to attend a talk on aging whereby Karl gave an inspiring talk on the importance regular strength training using correct technique. I was so inspired, I immediately went home and booked an appointment with Karl at Groundwork Fitness and have never looked back. I have remarkably improved my strength and balance with little effort. Groundwork Fitness has great new equipment, lots of space to move about, plenty of parking, all the members are friendly and there for the same reason. Karl is a wonderful, caring trainer. He is passionate and knowledgeable about technique and the right strength training for the individual. He also makes a superb coffee!

Fantastic experience: I love Groundwork Fitness.. Karl is a treasure! He has a wonderful sense of humour, extreme attention to training in weights, a wonderful gym with excellent equipment and spotlessly clean. The format for weight training suits me perfectly as it is paced on a one-to-one structure with an app to guide me along now that I'm familiar with technique (but always learning). Highly recommended for those setting out at any age with the goal of improved health and fitness.

Fantastic experience: Great Gym to learn how to lift weights and improve your body strength in a caring/fun atmosphere. Exceptionally clean and well run gym by owner. 30-100 years old try it! Happy customer LT

Fantastic experience: Last year, I visited Karl at Groundwork Fitness after my doctor suggested that I explore weight training. My doctor was discussing the most effective ways to manage bone density. This medical discussion led me to arrange a meeting with Karl at his gym in Carrington. At 60 years old, and sporting an old knee injury, I wasn’t yearning for any ‘gut-busting’- circuit training- boot-camp experience. I was looking for a training method designed for my specific needs; to train smarter for my ‘body of experience’ if you like. At that first meeting, Karl and I just talked, shared a coffee and he made note of my medical history, past injuries and of my motivation to weight train for improved movement and strength. Our next few meetings involved working through a series of 1-on-1 weight training sessions. Karl is very big on safe and effective lifting technique, so he coached me to lift smarter and move safely. Then, with my specific weight training plan in place, I started to work-out alongside others at the gym. From day one, I found that I was meeting a great and varied collection of people training at Groundwork Fitness. Finding my way around the equipment was made easy with the helpfulness and approachability of others there. Karl is never far away and is quick to assist if he spies anyone’s form slipping or if he can add a quiet challenge. With such friendly support, I felt ‘at home’ quickly and weight training became part of my routine. One of my goals for my weight training has been to gain strength and to stabilise the damaged knee. Within just 4 months, I felt the benefits of improved strength in that knee with a definite reduction in pain. A bit of a surprising by- product of weight training has been the effects of body reshaping too which gives a bit of a confidence boost. I am feeling stronger and am starting to feel ‘great again’. I train with people of all ages and fitness levels, and we are committed to actively aging well. It is inspirational to witness such quiet commitment in each person. I have found that everyone here at GWF has their own ‘body of experience’ to quietly work with and it is a place with longevity on offer. Karl has introduced me to the idea of smarter training for stronger living.

Fantastic experience: Freindly, learned heaps. Carl is a great guy.

Fantastic experience: Karl’s Groundwork Fitness gym is everything my husband and I were looking for once we decided that we were done with regular high intensity interval training . We have always enjoyed the weigh component of our gym class training and Karl has pushed us to the next level with his gentle ( and not so gentle ) encouragement. His incredible wealth of knowledge of technique and how far he can push makes us feel very safe and we have had no injuries at all. I have some mild bone density issues and I know for a fact that this training has improved my results. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Karl is welcoming and professional. His techniques to build strength and fitness mean that I’m doing it safely and my performance exceeds my expectations. I’m very satisfied with Groundwork Fitness - and so is my wife and doctor.

Fantastic experience: A well equipped, friendly gym where you get lots of direction and support from Karl. Never thought I’d be lifting weights, but need to gain strength to help with back issues as I get older, and can already feel the benefits. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Last January I was feeling every single one of my 51 years. It was the point of no return, I really needed to do something. I have a love-hate relationship with exercise, mostly hate. I came across an ad on Instagram for Groundwork and thought, ok, I can't do much but I can lift heavy stuff! Almost a year later, I'm still turning up. And for some of us, that's the hardest part. If you're not into active wear and mirrors, and just want to feel stronger and better about yourself, this is the place for you. It's a safe place with friendly people, and the coffee isn't bad either (thanks Karl!). The only downside is you may have to listen to some of Karl's appalling music choices. There's always noise cancelling headphones ...

Fantastic experience: Best gym I’ve been to. No matter your age or fitness stage, Karl has created a supportive, inclusive environment with excellent personalised training plans. He is passionate about fitness, very knowledgeable and brings it all together with a great sense of humour. Strength training has had a major improvement on back and joint pain and I feel physically and mentally stronger than I have in years. Great place to work out. Highly recommend getting in touch with Karl for a visit!

Fantastic experience: I haven't typically found strength training enjoyable, working with Karl has changed that. His approach to training has fit really well with my goals and needs. His approach has helped me see progression, maintain consistency and find enjoyment in strength training that I haven't found anywhere else. I would absolutely recommend Groundwork Fitness to anyone.

Fantastic experience: I had been trying to find a way to improve my fitness level as I was finding walking and cycling painful due to arthritic knees so wasn't doing much exercise. The exercise physiologist I visited had given me specific knee exercises but these just exacerbated the pain so I eventually stopped attending. After reading an article about Groundwork Fitness, I decided to contact Karl to find out if exercising with weights would help improve my fitness level whilst accommodating my damaged knees (I am also trying to delay knee surgery). From my first meeting with Karl, I could see that his focus is to teach people how to train safely and effectively using weights to build strength and bone density. His goal is to take each client through purposeful techniques, allowing for any particular injuries or limited movement. This is something I hadn't found in gyms I'd previously attended as I was so often just given a brief instruction on each machine then left to myself. I signed up to have 5 coaching sessions with Karl and was glad I had as each time I attended, we focused on a particular exercise and I finally learnt the correct way to use weights to help me attain my goal. My only regret is that 4 hours after my final coaching session, Newcastle went into lockdown so I haven't been able to put that training to good use. When Karl is finally allowed to open his gym up again, I know he will be there ready to help me remember the importance of the correct technique.

Fantastic experience: Hands down the best gym in Newcastle. I’ve never enjoyed going to the gym before but Karl has really created a unique and awesome gym space. Karl individualisation all sessions and works to your ability. In the few months I’ve been going I already feel so much stronger and feel like my fitnesses has improved so quickly. Karl also creates Such a welcoming space and I would highly recommend to anyone.

Fantastic experience: Karl and the crew at Groundwork are exceptional. This is not a gym you go to to hang out with Instagramers and stare in the mirror; you go here to change your function, get stronger and create life long habits for health. Karl is living proof that proper training is necessary for a good life, so get inspired and get onboard.

Fantastic experience: Our disability health program visits Karl and Bianca at the gym each fortnight. They are both extremely passionate, supportive and able to find exercises to challenge all levels. Our program loves Groundwork Fitness

Fantastic experience: I am in my late 70s and my wife in her 60s. We were both sceptical about the benefits of progressive resistance exercise training at our age but the benefits have surprised us. The quality of the training is excellent and we would recommend this.

Fantastic experience: I did 10 weeks of the Lift and Learn programme with Karl, learning the deadlift, squat, overhead press and bench press. I had never done any strength training in the past as I was always intimidated by gyms and didn't know where to start. After 10 weeks of one on one teaching from Karl I felt so much more confident in the gym using this equipment. I loved going in to see Karl for his chat and his wisdom as well as his strength training expertise! The equipment is fantastic and the whole environment so welcoming. Karl and his team are so friendly and couldn't do enough to help me out - especially around the time of me moving back to the UK. Sadly I had to leave Groundwork Fitness as I was returning to the UK but I was so pleased I found Karl in time to learn to lift and would strongly recommend him to anyone!

Fantastic experience: Having learnt the fundamentals of strength training from Karl at Groundwork I will never go back. This is the first time I have ever stuck to a gym having tried all kinds of gym programmes/classes/personal trainers in the past. Karl is a fantastic coach with a wealth of knowledge and experience that he uses to tailor your work outs to your needs/injuries/health goals. The gym itself has a brilliant atmosphere and state of the art equipment. I would highly recommend popping in to check the place out for yourself and have a chat with Karl about strength training if you have never done it before!!

Fantastic experience: I have been training with Karl at Groundwork fitness since January 2021 and am absolutely loving it. I have never felt healthier, I'm sleeping better and my golf game has benefitted from the extra strength, flexibility, balance and positivity that I have gained. The facilities at the gym are the best in the business. Karl is an exceptional coach, trainer, mentor. He is smart, funny and committed and is an absolute stickler for ensuring correct techniques are followed to stay healthy and avoid injury. Apart from having every academic qualification possible in sports science and exercise physiology he has a lifetime of experience, undergoing training himself since he was a child. This is a welcoming, fantastic neighbourhood facility that specialises in training everyone no matter your age, experience or any disability. The gym is a fun, BS free zone! I'm in my 50s, have never trained before and never stuck with a gym membership for long - Groundwork Fitness is totally different. I urge you to try it.

Fantastic experience: Last year I was experiencing lower back pain, which was worsening as time went on. A scan showed that I had a slipped disc. I went from being active and training every week to multiple chiropractic visits, trying yoga, then pilates as well as constantly applying a heat pack to try to ease the pain. Nothing worked. The last thing I thought of doing, was weight training. I started at Groundworks with Karl just after Easter and 7 weeks later my back pain has gone, I’m feeling strong again and back to doing all the things that I love doing.

Fantastic experience: Karl has been turning me into ironman since early January. Awesome gym and vibe. Plus no mirrors is a bonus

Fantastic experience: Karl is such a passionate trainer/owner! His knowledge is endless and he will go the extra mile for you and your workout needs! A workout, coffee and definitely a few laughs and you will leave the gym feeling amazing