A pair of fitness fanatics are set to buck the trend and open a new gym – despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Although many businesses have been forced to close after struggling through lockdown, personal trainers Keri Taylor and Josh Burns are looking to open a fitness centre in Cleator Moor.

Keri, 44, who set up KT Fitness in her Whitehaven garage, three years ago, believes now is the right time to expand.

And, along with Josh Burns, 25, from Workington, she is looking to run a gym in a unit on the Leconfield Estate, in Cleator Moor.

Keri said: “Josh and I had the idea. I am definitely going to do personal training and my husband James Taylor will also be coaching in the gym and Josh is a personal trainer who will also be taking clients.”

The application is with Copeland Borough Council for the change of use from industrial use to a gym, the building is currently empty.

Keri hopes that it will take about four weeks until the next stage, but hopes to be in the property by October if the application is successful.

She said Covid did not put her off at all, in fact it was during lockdown that she has been able to plan out the new gym business.

She added that there has been more interest than ever in exercise and: “People have taken more notice of exercise throughout lockdown.”

They intend to run classes at the new gym and will offer functional fitness – a combination of weight training, gymnastics and body weight exercises for all the family.

She also currently offers RockFit classes, which will also be available and as a qualified weightlifting instructor Keri will have all female weight lifting classes. She is also qualified in pre and post-natal classes.

Keri said she hopes to have a “little corner”, where customers can bring their children while they work out.

They also want to be able to offer a rent-a-space facility to other personal trainers, much like the rent-a-chair scheme at a hairdressers, where other personal trainers will be able to train their clients.

Keri, who also runs KT Tuition, and is about to start a teaching job at St Bees School in September, said the trick to being able to juggle all her businesses is having good time management abilities.

By having Josh and her husband James involved will ensure there is cover at the gym at all times.

Friends have been very supportive of the idea and she already has willing customers for services at the gym.

The application can be seen on Copeland Borough Council’s planning portal under 4/20/2289/0F1.

For more information on the classes contact Keri Taylor on instagram at @k.t.fitness.and.nutrition or contact Josh Burns at his instagram account at @joshburnspt