A Shrewsbury business that has created a new movement community and helped transform the lives of many of its members is celebrating its first anniversary in September.
Over the past 12 months, Runlates has brought together people of different ages, abilities and sporting backgrounds through its inclusive programme of Matwork and Reformer Pilates, strength training and functional movement classes.
Members include those rebuilding strength and confidence as they recover from cancer or surgery, returning to exercise after childbirth, grandparents wanting to keep active, runners, cyclists, golfers, hockey players, hillwalkers and more.
The business, based at The Hay Yard on Shrewsbury Business Park, will celebrate its first year with a special event on Saturday 26th September, featuring £5 taster classes, a birthday picnic and the unveiling of a new Footprints community wall.
The wall will recognise 26 members who have each completed more than 50 Runlates classes during the studio’s first year.
Runlates founder and instructor Vic Gidney said that although opening the doors to a permanent home for the business had been her proudest moment of the past 12 months, the greatest impact had come from seeing the difference the classes and community had made to the people attending them.
“Opening the doors to a proper home for Runlates was unquestionably my proudest moment of the year,” said Vic. “But what has meant the most is seeing the changes people experience and the confidence they develop.
“For some members, that might mean returning to an activity they thought they would have to give up. For others, it is feeling stronger, moving more comfortably or being able to cope more confidently with everyday life.”
One member who has experienced that difference is 66-year-old triathlete Ian Imeson. Longstanding back and knee problems had begun to affect Ian’s ability to run and even made it difficult for him to walk longer distances with his dog.
“I had an extremely stressful job and doing the exercise and exercising hard was absolutely critical,” said Ian.
“The only thing I think that kept me going at times was to go out and really exercise hard. It was critical for me, but I was reaching the point where I wondered whether I would be able to keep running.”
After working with Runlates through Reformer Pilates and personalised movement and running-technique coaching, Ian says he feels stronger and more confident about remaining active.
Things are now back on an uphill trajectory, and I’m looking forward to carrying on with triathlon for at least another 10 years,” added Ian.
Vic said Ian’s experience was one example of the many different forms progress can take at Runlates.
“Stories like Ian’s show that achievement means something different to every person. It is not always about running faster or lifting more. It can be about continuing to take part in a sport you love, walking the dog more comfortably or simply feeling more confident in the way your body moves,” she said.
“Those achievements can have a huge effect on how people feel physically and mentally. That is why the Footprints community wall is so important to us.
“Everyone arrives with their own goals, needs and hesitations, but they usually leave with a smile and feeling better than when they walked in.”
Runlates now offers around 26 classes each week, with different class types and times that allow members to fit exercise around their work, family life and other commitments. The studio’s instructor team is also growing from four to six later this year.
And Vic, who is also an England Athletics Coach in Running Fitness and volunteers and runs with the Shropshire Shufflers, is looking to build further as she heads into year two with a new Pilates+ class using weights and resistance bands due to launch and quarterly memberships being introduced.
She said: “It is an exciting time for us and the anniversary event on 26th September is an opportunity to thank everyone who has helped create this community and to celebrate how far they have come, as well as sharing what we have here with others looking for support in working towards their own individual goals.
The event will be held from 9am to 4pm at 4, The Hay Yard, Anchorage Ave, Shrewsbury SY2 6NH. For more information contact Victoria on hello@runlates.co.uk or visit the website at www.runlates.co.uk
