A Warminster couple with a shared passion for fitness have followed their dream and opened their own gym.
Tom Carpenter-Rich, 24, and Jay Baker, 23, met in 2022 and instantly bonded over their love of powerlifting.
At the time, Tom worked at Bishopstrow Hotel and Jay at the Flow Bar in Frome but they both soon made a move into the fitness industry.
After finding the “perfect” unit for their dream gym on the Woodcock Industrial Estate in 2024, Tom began sourcing equipment while Jay focused on marketing and admin.
They both did this while juggling their full-time personal training and coaching businesses.
Jay, who is originally from Gillingham, while Tom is from Warminster, said, “It was hard graft from both of us! Tom was travelling pretty much every weekend in 2024 in a hire van, up and down the country to collect equipment. It was many days of 16 hours or more driving on his own, grabbing multiple things in one day and sometimes sleeping in the van overnight.”
Jay says her dad, Stuart, was a “lifesaver” as he, along with other family members, helped fit out the unit ahead of its opening.
The Training Room is members-only, which Jay and Tom hope will boost community spirit and interactions between members.
They say looking back on their journey feels “pretty crazy.”
Jay added, “Being so young, we always had people doubting us or underestimating our idea – thinking we were just going to be opening a small little studio rather than a full-blown gym.
“But we’ve both worked incredibly hard to create this dream. We’re incredibly proud of ourselves and so happy we just took the risk and went for it.”
On Saturday 23rd August, between 1pm and 4pm, The Training Room will host an open day with free access to the gym, pizza and more.
To find out more, go to thetrainingroomwarminster.com
