A disused stable block on the grounds of Royal Ascot Golf Club is helping locals to smash their New Year’s resolutions, thanks to the vision of a local personal trainer.
Fitness enthusiast Toby Lynch dreamed of running his own studio after more than a decade working in the industry in partnership with the NHS and local health and wellbeing centres.
The Ascot-born 33-year-old and Royal Ascot Golf Club cut the ribbon on the club’s Boutique fitness studio in September 2022 following an investment to convert the golf club’s inherited stable block into a state-of-the-art fitness centre.
It now operates 35 weekly small-group sessions and has built a membership base of more than 65 people. Members have access to a range of equipment including free weights, an assault bike, SkiErg, a cable machine.
The studio has been built by Toby and the club after he took inspiration from visits to equivalent fitness centres in California and Texas.
“It was a dream to run my own gym,” said Toby. “The pandemic acted as a blocker, but I took the plunge when we came out of lockdown restrictions and fell on my feet at Royal Ascot Golf Club.
“The stables had so much potential. At the time they were collecting dust, but the club bought into my vision and now the gym really adds to and compliments the existing provisions onsite.
“It’s taken a lot of time and commitment, but we now have a fantastic membership base of locals and members from the golf club who are using sessions to build strength, assist with injury prevention and be part of a real community hub.
“People are now prioritising their physical and mental wellbeing perhaps more than ever. It’s social, fun, active and within weeks people notice that positive change which is why opening this centre was something we were so keen to make happen.”
The gym’s success story coincides with the 20th anniversary of Royal Ascot Golf Club’s move from the centre of the racecourse to its current course across Winkfield Road in the grounds of Windsor Great Park.
Sam Todd has been a member of the club for four years having first picked up a club as a teenager.
The 29-year-old shot his best round at the club recently having started his fitness journey in October 2023 and put his enhanced ability on the course down to a renewed focus on his fitness.
He said: “It’s easy to underestimate how much a person’s strength and general fitness levels can impact their game.
“Typically, I’ll attend four sessions each week at the club, and it’s helped improve my strength, mobility, balance and core strength which is ultimately allowing me to hit the ball further.
“Having this facility onsite is a game-changer and adds a fresh dimension to the membership experience.”
Stephen Nicholson, general manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, added: “We’re continually exploring how we can make the most of the space available to us to assist with our ongoing aspirations to establish the club as a true seven-day-a-week community hub.
“Toby has done an outstanding job with our disused stable block, and the benefits to our members and the general public both on and off the course are clear to see. We hope this facility and the club continues to thrive in 2025.”
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