Women and their well-being are a passion for new gym owner Karina Timpson.
Ms Timpson took over rental of the upstairs gymnasium at the Oamaru Rowing Club last week and hoped to have it fully operational by the end of the month.
She was moving equipment and waiting for new equipment to arrive.
”It was delayed a bit with Covid. So it’s in Auckland. I have some really awesome pieces of gear coming up.”
Ms Timpson, who had previously rented the gym space from former owner Jamie Rhodes, continued to manage her women’s groups and clients with what she already had, but was eager to welcome other members when she could.
She had been in the fitness industry in Oamaru for around 12 years and said her focus was definitely on looking after her female clients.
The satisfaction she derived from her work was not the physical results her clients achieved, but “all the other things that go with it.”
”So the self-confidence, just being able to hang out with their kids. Because that was always my goal when I started, was to be an active mom while my kids were growing up. Yeah, it’s that stuff, it’s all emotional.
”I like when people feel good. I love my clients, that’s why I do what I do.”
Ms Timpson had studied female hormones and pre- and post-menopausal support, which was ‘just a different kind of support’.
”Also, pre and post natal is an area I’m really interested in and I will bring a little more to my gym for my clients. ”
As a mother of three herself, with sons Josiah (15) and Max (13) in high school and daughter Elyse (10) in her final year of primary school, Ms Timpson was also busy outside of work, and with 40 clients already on her books, she wasn’t looking too much to grow her client base. A small group allowed her to specialize, which she preferred.
She believed that the biggest challenge faced by women who wanted to prioritize their health was the lack of support.
”Having, I think, someone who is invested and caring – and that’s what I like to do.
“I’ve done a lot of life coaching and wellness coaching, so it’s been fine, and I think that’s what makes a big difference is that they know someone is there. with them.”
Ms. Timpson was a qualified Level 5 Personal Trainer and Wellness and Green Prescription Coach.
“So if people go to the doctor and the doctor says you need someone who can help you with your blood pressure or your weight, then come see me.”
She was also a practitioner of NLP (neurolinguistic programming), which helped her build relationships and communicate with clients, she said.
The gym would be 24/7 for members, with key access, and she would be available to help members if they wanted, which is why she was limiting numbers.
“I’ve had a lot of interest so I might consider taking on another coach in the near future – maybe an apprentice or something, that would be great.”
Ms. Timpson loved the community at the gym, and there were plenty of people who had used it for years and enjoyed doing their own thing, which she was also happy to support.
”I’ve been coming here myself for about 10 years, so it’s always been a pretty active gym. I’m just looking to maybe modernize it.”
Being part of the rowing club building also added great dynamics to the gymnasium, and Ms. Timpson hoped to be able to help with high school training during the off-season.
She also wanted to provide training for teenage girls and young women, to give them more confidence.
“Maybe kids who don’t like to play sports. Something different.
”Mental health is so important — it’s not just adults who struggle, it’s teenagers and young people too. . .it would be so great to trigger something in the younger ones too.”
Inquiries to join the gym can be made now by message Ms. Timpson on her Facebook page ”Coach K” or by emailing [email protected]
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