Residents living in housing for people in later life across England will soon have access to fitness classes, wellbeing support and an online community designed specifically for people aged 55 and over, thanks to a new partnership between Gloucestershire-based Jim’s Gym and Anchor’s Be Well 360 service.
Founded by Stroud personal trainer James Hilton, Jim’s Gym helps people aged 55 and over stay active, build strength and maintain their independence through live online classes, on-demand workouts and a supportive community.
The new partnership will see residents at Be Well 360 locations gain access to the Jim’s Gym platform, which helps older people stay active, connected and independent through personalised support and activities that promote physical, mental and social wellbeing.
James said the partnership is a significant milestone for the business.
“It means the world. Jim’s Gym was built to meet the needs of people the fitness industry has traditionally overlooked. To have an organisation of Anchor’s scale and reputation believe in what we’re doing is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
“It’s a huge validation of the model we’ve created. What we’ve built works and is having an incredible impact on people’s lives, and this partnership gives us the chance to prove that at a much bigger scale.”
Founded in 2023, Jim’s Gym was created to make exercise more accessible for people in later life. Members can take part in more than 15 live classes each week, alongside hundreds of on-demand sessions that can be accessed whenever it suits them.
Activities include strength and balance training, yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba, Dancercise and cardio sessions, with seated and standing options available across many classes.
But James believes what makes Jim’s Gym different is that it goes beyond exercise.
Residents will also have access to nutrition support, Fitness MOT assessments and social activities including a book club and creative groups.
“It complements what villages already offer without the cost of hiring multiple instructors and with very little staff input required to run it. Everything is delivered and managed by us,” said James.
“It also goes well beyond fitness. Residents get nutrition support, creative clubs and genuine social connection through one membership. That breadth is what helps keep people engaged long term”.
Brett Jenkins, Wellbeing Development Manager at Anchor said “Supporting residents to stay active is fundamental to overall wellbeing. In later life, regular movement plays an important role in maintaining confidence, independence and social connection.
“What stood out about Jim’s Gym was how accessible and engaging it is. The platform makes movement feel achievable and enjoyable, while offering flexibility for residents who prefer to take part from home.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the difference it makes, both physically and socially, as part of our wider wellbeing offer.”
As the programme develops, James and the Anchor team plan to monitor engagement and gather feedback from residents and wellbeing advisors on site, alongside using health assessments to help residents track their own progress over time.
The partnership will initially be delivered through Anchor’s Be Well 360 service, which operates in areas including Bath, Southampton, Chelmsford, Bingley, Hinckley, Kings Hill, Hook, Woodford, Stevenage, Southend and Sutton Coldfield.
For more information about Jim’s Gym, visit www.jimsgym.fitness