Personal trainer Lauren Caffrey opened her Liverpool gym, The Zone, in April fulfilling a dream she had had since 14 – and the investment is already paying off. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool personal trainer Lauren Caffrey was warned she was taking a big risk opening a new gym before COVID-19 restrictions had been fully lifted.

However, she went ahead and launched the The Zone at ill Lane Trade Park in Wavertree on April 12. On the day it opened, the business had a clientele of around 60, mainly people already existing clients of Lauren and her 13-strong team PTs.

However, just over four month later that number has doubled to more than 120. That early growth is a reward for Lauren’s entrepreneurial instincts. Now aged 23, she has dreamed of owning her own gym since she was 14.

And to top off that initial success, Lauren has also been shortlisted for the Enterprise Vision Awards’ Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. The awards celebrates female entrepreneurship across the North West.

Lauren, from West Derby, said: “For me it’s about helping as many people as possible. Human interaction was so limited during the multiple lockdowns and my aim is to return to normality as much as possible at The Zone.

“Our bootcamp classes also went live in May and have created such an amazing atmosphere at the gym. It’s incredible to have classes back on and pushing our clients to be the best version of themselves.”

Bootcamp classes feature a combination of boxing, HIIT and treadmill work are on at various times every day of the week and are aimed at people who want to train before or after work.

“To think that I’ve been shortlisted to the final six for the award out of 700 nominations is crazy,” added Lauren. “We’ve been open less than six months and this recognition feels like such an amazing achievement. I’m so grateful to have been nominated and it would mean the world to me to win.”

Since opening The Zone, Lauren has added a kettlebell class with Kettlebell specialist coach Tom Simpson which takes place in The Zen; the unit’s yoga studio. This is a 30/30 class of 30 minutes of kettlebells and 30 minutes of yoga with Jess – a pre and post natal qualified PT and teacher.

Lauren received help from the Liverpool City Region Enterprise Hub, via The Women’s Organisation, before opening her business. You can speak to the Enterprise Hub team via enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8113. Enterprise Hub is part funded by European Regional Development Fund and is free to access.