A GYM owner has been left fearing for the future because of the latest lockdown.

The Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre has been unable to welcome fitness fanatics for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Aaron Tyler made numerous sacrifices - including selling his own home - to run the facility, in Wash Road, Laindon.

But, with gyms remaining shut due to the latest guidelines put in place by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Aaron fears his business could go bust.

He said: “It was my passion and dream to own and run a fitness and wellness centre. I sold my home and belongings to enable me to do so.

“The club supports families, including my own. I am a family man and have a one-year-old daughter.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Keeping the community fit - Aaron has been hosting virtual workout sessions on his YouTube channel

“The last year has been extremely difficult for everyone to survive and I have now had to close the doors to the club for over six months, still not knowing when I will be able to re-open again.

“That, in itself, is worrying as I want to be able to live out my dream, support my members and support my family.

“As a club we are, of course, supporting our members during these challenging times and offering to freeze memberships.

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“However, I am very fortunate in that we also have members who are able to continue to support the club and continue their memberships despite the option to freeze.”

Aaron, 42, has been keeping club members proactive during the pandemic through his YouTube channel and even won the Essex Activity Hero award thanks to his virtual workouts.

But the latest lockdown means he will be unable to welcome members back to the Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre for a prolonged period.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Closed - the Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre has been unable to welcome club members for more than six months due to the pandemic

Aaron, who grew up in Laindon, feels gyms should not be made to suffer after working to meet guidelines which were initially put in place.

He added: “Gyms were giving clear guidance on Covid-19 measures they had to put in place in order to be allowed to reopen.

“That needed a huge financial investment but also resulted in changes to our operational processes and procedures within the club for both the staff and members.

“Statistics were released stating that gyms were one of the safest places to be, based on research carried out by UK Active - the governing body that represents gyms across the UK.

“Despite all of this, we are forced to remain closed.”

To join in with one of Aaron’s workouts, visit tinyurl.com/y5qzc4q9.

Every week we will be unveiling our Personal Trainer of the Week as we look to champion local fitness gurus across south Essex. To nominate yourself or a personal trainer you enjoy working with, head to echo-news.co.uk/my/ccn/assignment/DEF5VE9Q.