Inverness Women’s Gym Embarks on New Chapter: Empowering Health Through Fitness and Community
A beloved women-only gym in Inverness, Scotland, is entering an exciting new era. Curves, located on Harbour Road, has a new owner and a bold vision for the future. Linda Bailey, an exercise and fitness specialist with a passion for helping individuals overcome health challenges through movement, has taken the reins from retiring owners Audrey Barnett and Jane Harris.
"It was a chance to celebrate the incredible legacy of Audrey and Jane, who have run Curves Inverness for 15 amazing years,” Bailey said. “Over this time, their leadership has created a vibrant, supportive environment for women and raised thousands of pounds for local charities.”
Bailey, who specializes in GP and clinician exercise referrals, brings 25 years of experience to the table. She’s devoted to empowering people of all abilities to achieve their fitness goals in a safe, social, and meaningful way. Her expertise has been invaluable to individuals with various medical conditions, helping them improve their quality of life through carefully tailored exercise programs.
Bridging Fitness with Wellness: A New Social Enterprise
Bailey’s vision extends beyond Curves. She’s establishing a complementary social enterprise, Bailey’s Gym, at the same location. This initiative will cater to individuals with specific medical and therapeutic needs, offering specialized programs for a range of conditions.
"As they step down, I’m honored to take over and continue the mission of empowering women through health, fitness, and community,” she said. “Alongside taking the reins at Curves, I am also introducing Bailey’s Gym that will complement Curves by offering fitness and wellness solutions tailored to individuals with specific medical and therapeutic needs.”
From Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis to anxiety, depression, arthritis, and diabetes, Bailey’s Gym aims to make fitness accessible to everyone. Its services will include vibration training, mobility classes, infrared treatments, and personalized therapy sessions.
Bailey’s passion lies in helping individuals reclaim their health and well-being. “There is a time for rest, but there is a time for activity, also,” she explained. “Often, through activity, people will recover faster. It is all about quality of life. Quite understandably, people can be fearful of exercise after or during illness – and that’s where I can help them.”
Bailey’s vision extends beyond individual improvement, nurturing a strong community aspect. "It is about reaching as many people as possible, so we will be working online as well as in person," she said. "It is also about getting people out of their homes, providing the opportunity to meet people with similar issues and challenges as them. They can make new friends and shake off some of the isolation that people can experience through illness and other factors.”
[Image of Audrey Barnett coaching Mary Mulroy, who has MS, on gym equipment. Caption: Curves Gym offers 3 months free membership to people living with Multiple Sclerosis. Credit: James MacKenzie]
Celebrating Past Success, Embracing the Future
A recent Christmas party, hosted at the Columba Hotel and supported by gym members, marked a joyous celebration of Curves’ legacy while enthusiastically welcoming its new chapter. Amidst dinner and dancing, a raffle raised £800 for Gateway, a local charity dedicated to supporting the homelessness community.
Bailey, who holds a Level 1 GB exercise referral specialist qualification, is well-equipped to collaborate with GPs and NHS clinicians, providing personalized support for patients seeking to improve their health through exercise. This collaborative approach ensures that individuals receive individualized care tailored to their specific needs and medical histories.
Her dedication to community well-being extends beyond her professional work. Bailey also serves as a trustee of the Highland Senior Citizens Network (HSCN), actively participating in initiatives like the Warm Space Winter Initiative. This program offers welcoming, heated spaces for vulnerable community members during colder months.
As Bailey embarks on this new journey with Curves and Bailey’s Gym, she is driven by a deep passion to support the health and well-being of Inverness residents. Her vision promises a brighter, healthier future for the community, one step at a time.
[Image of Kirsty Caldwell using the equipment at Curves Gym. Credit: James MacKenzie]
