Founder
My Buzz
James Hilton, a personal trainer from the Cotswolds, who is a specialist in biomechanics and injury recovery, opened the virtual doors to Jim’s Gym, an online ‘space’ supporting people over 55 to lead a more active life.
Launched on National Fitness Day, Jim’s Gym offers subscribers the opportunity to train with James, following his short fitness videos uploaded weekly/monthly, to either become more active or to help maintain an active lifestyle in later life.
“We are tirelessly told the mental and physical benefits of exercise, but the challenge is in how we keep people engaged in being active. If an older adult is told by a health professional to be ‘more active’ they are often given little help and support in how to do that. That's where Jim's Gym comes in. My view is that even if you do a just little bit more than you were before, that’s progress and a great start!
My Bio
James had a career in sales and marketing based in London and travelled the world. However, he then experienced a long period of unhappiness, which led him to abandon all exercise in order to meet the demands of his job. The impact of that period eroded his confidence and took a toll on his mental health, as well as impacting his partner and first child. Eventually, he left his role and went travelling with his family to New Zealand and Bali.
While away, James started to go running and got back to exercising for fun, and remembered how much my fitness had meant to me, and I’d lost sight of that. As my family and I began to heal from this bitter time, I asked myself if I could help others through fitness.
Supported by my family, James moved back to the South Cotswolds, where he grew up and qualified as a personal trainer and started rapidly building his own business.
That was four years ago, and his next adventure is the opening of Jim’s Gym – an online fitness subscription service with a focus on inspiring older adults to be more active to remain healthy and independent for longer.
My Business Tips
Keep doing things that take you out of your comfort zone, however big or small the challenge.
Be kind to yourself.
Running a business and being self-employed can swallow you whole. Be strict with. your time!