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SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION Metro Flex Gym in south London is home to some of the most successful bodybuilders in the UK but welcomes other members from all walks of life. Workout found out more about the club that is proud to be ‘elite, but not elitist’.
Metro Flex members are encouraged to experiment with eating regimes By Louise Cordell METRO Flex Gym in Sydenham was opened up in 2004 by Terry Gilmour and Dave Talbot. They took on the club from bodybuilder and TV personality Michael Van Wijk, better known as former Gladiator ‘Wolf’, with the aim of turning it into a gym that people enjoy attending. Dave said: “We have a very successful track record in bodybuilding many of our members compete at national and international levels and others are on the verge of turning professional. “However, we also have a wide range of other men and women who come along and we have members aged from 16 to 60. “We believe in retention and results and we get both by keeping our members happy. “We get to know them and find out what they want to achieve, and if we don’t see them down here for a couple of weeks then we are on the phone to them to find out why! “I believe that the industry has gone full circle in this way - it has gone back to being about people and service. We want to break down barriers and make bodybuilding more accessible – what makes a successful club is the people in it.” The club is over 5,500 square feet and features a huge range of weight training equipment as well as a cardiovascular section and a socialising and ‘refueling’ area.
The club’s mixed martial arts facility
Dave Talbot Its boxing facilities have a sparring area, speedball and bags and other facilities include a sunbed, steam room, changing rooms and a physiotherapy suite. Justin House, one of the gym’s personal trainers, said: “We have a great range of equipment - to say that we have everything is putting it lightly – and we cherry pick from all the manufacturers to get the best of everything for our members. “We also avoid the traditional gym music, our members like to hear pumping house, and it creates a great, energising atmosphere.” As an extra benefit, Metro Flex employs a full time sports therapist, Jeff Noakes and an in-house doctor, Dr David Parry, to help advise members on how to work out safely and to provide treatment when needed.
The club also sells a range of natural supplements, but provides these alongside their own general nutrition guidelines. Members are advised to base their diets around real, whole foods before turning to supplementation, and to experiment with eating regimes to find the routine that works for them. Carole Roycroft, one of the club’s personal trainers, believes that the gym’s success is down to the fact that, even though many members are training for competition, there is no competitive atmosphere. She said: “It’s a friendly gym where everyone commends and compliments one another on their own relative performance, efforts and achievements. “Even the female clients enjoy coming here – they don't feel intimidated
Members socialising
Personal trainer Carole Roycroft helping a member train by the amount of testosterone in the place. “As a qualified female trainer I try to encourage more ladies to experience Metro Flex to help them realise that using weights will tone and help sculpt their body and that they won't end up looking like Arnie if they do!”