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Meet the Team

About Orwell Fitness

A unique community-driven gym
based in the South of Ipswich

First established by Kirsty Turner and Darren Hotten in 2018 with the intent of delivering an effective, enjoyable, and empowering training experience for all abilities, our state-of-the-art venue has now doubled its class offerings.

Orwell’s programmes put you first. Whether you’re new to fitness or an accomplished athlete, our leading roster of classes, fitness instructors, and facilities can help you set, meet, and exceed your most ambitious goals both in and out of the gym. From Olympic lifting with British Weightlifting certified coaches, strength-based gymnastics drills, and strongman training to bespoke conditioning combinations, you’ll find your place with us.

Book a Free Trial

Meet the Team

Our community of trainers, coaches,
and members are at the
heart of our work

Orwell’s coaches, trainers, and fitness instructors are at hand to guide you through the ups and downs of your fitness journey. With over 45 years of combined experience in the gym, our hand-selected team of leaders, innovators, motivators, and game-changers find purpose in bringing out the best in each of our members, every session.

Each of our team member’s unique, inclusive training styles are flexible by nature – meaning they can be scaled up or down to meet any ability level – preventing injury, and driving progress.

Emily Anderton Crossfit Coach
Emily Anderton

Coach

Read Emily’s Bio
CrossFit Coach Callum Paxton
Callum Paxton

Coach

Read Callum’s Bio
CrossFit Coach Jacob Finnigan
Jacob Finnigan

Coach

Read Jacob’s Bio
CrossFit Coach Alex Bigby
Alex Bigby

Coach

Read Alex’s Bio
CrossFit Coach Darren Hotten
Darren Hotten

Co-Owner & Head Coach

Read Darren’s Bio
CrossFit Coach Kirsty Turner
Kirsty Turner

Co-Owner

Read Kirsty’s Bio
Ipswich Gym Members

Start Training With

Our Members

Orwell Fitness members train, sweat, and succeed together. Since opening, we’ve already formed lifelong friendships, smashed goals, and supported each other through even the toughest fitness challenges.

Getting Fit Together in Ipswich

Let's Succeed Together

Our growing group of workout enthusiasts, gym newcomers, repeat visitors, weightlifting champions, and weekly workout aficionados is open to everyone. Whether through group CrossFit, gymnastics, strongman, conditioning, or even open-gym, we’ve got each others’ backs.

Our members are the most important part of our gym and culture. Claim your free trial today to find your place in our classes, and at the heart of our community.

Book a free trial

Our Facilities

  • High-End Equipment
  • Over 3000sqft of Space
  • Concept 2 Rowers
  • Rogue Echo Bikes
  • Concept 2 Ski Ergs
  • 34ft Rig
  • Barbells, Kettlebells, Dumbbells and More
  • Private Showers
  • Changing Rooms
  • WC

BOOK YOUR FREE TRIAL CLASS

Are you ready to experience our classes first hand? Complete the form below to claim your free, no-obligation trial.

BOOK YOUR FREE TRIAL CLASS
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FAQs

Everything you need to know about Orwell Fitness. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for?

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What do fitness instructors do?

Fitness instructors are an integral part of any gym or fitness centre. Their daily tasks typically revolve around leading, coaching, and supporting members or class participants, meaning much of their time is spent creating both group and individual exercise programs, and, as their name suggests instructing (delivering classes, demonstrating exercises, making corrections, and motivating). 

Orwell Fitness’ fitness instructors are highly educated and experienced across a number of specialisms, including CrossFit, weightlifting, and gymnastics. Each of our core team members holds an official personal training qualification. 

What qualifications do fitness instructors have?

Fitness instructors don’t tend to follow one set path in terms of their qualifications, with many specialising in accordance with their strengths or interests. Many complete a large course in a related subject such as sports science at university or college, touching on subjects such as exercise physiology, nutrition and dietetics. These courses generally will prepare people to become certified personal trainers and group fitness instructors, but many will go on to do further training in line with their work, e.g. CrossFit, personal training, and British Weightlifting qualifications. 

Orwell Fitness’ hand-selected fitness team hold a wide range of qualifications and are backed by years of competitive and coaching experience. To find out more about them, read above. 

Is getting a fitness coach worth it?

Whether or not getting a fitness coach is worth it or not depends on a wide range of factors, including what kind of training you prefer, what your goals are, and what classes and coach you select. On an individual basis, if you’re brand new to the gym, consulting a fitness coach or personal trainer can be particularly useful in establishing a routine that works well for you. Fitness coaches are also an excellent option for those looking for motivation, new to a specific discipline, training for competition learning to use equipment, or looking to reach a particular goal.  

On a group basis, fitness coaches are an essential element of classes; creating the structure itself, leading from start to finish, and offering participants motivation and corrections.

What is Orwell Fitness?

Orwell Fitness’s is a 3100sqft gym based in South Ipswich. Its unique, primarily CrossFit influenced fitness experience is designed with a clear mission in mind –  to deliver effective, enjoyable, and empowering training to individuals of all abilities.

Orwell’s programmes put you first. Whether you’re new to fitness or an accomplished athlete, our leading roster of classes, coaching, and facilities can help you set, meet, and exceed your most ambitious goals both in and out of the gym. From Olympic lifting with British Weightlifting certified coaches, strength-based gymnastics drills, and strongman training to bespoke conditioning combinations, you’ll find your place in our classes, and at the heart of our growing community of like-minded members and accredited trainers

What facilities does Orwell Fitness have?

Orwell Fitness’ 3100 sqft gym was hand-designed by expert trainers and co-owners Kirsty and Darren to be the ultimate environment for any workout – from light circuits to gymnastics. Here, you can push further, reach higher, and become greater than ever before. Although many of our workouts are bodyweight based, our gym houses a range of equipment and facilities, including:

Over 3000sqft of Space

Concept 2 Rowers

Rogue Echo Bikes

Concept 2 Ski Ergs

34ft Rig 

Barbells, Kettlebells, Dumbbells and More

Private Showers 

Changing Rooms

WC

To find out more about our gym, arrange a free trial or drop-in session using the form above. We can’t wait to welcome you. 

What happens during my free trial session?

At Orwell Fitness, we offer a free, no-obligation trial in order to ensure you have the best possible introductory experience, and that our gym is a good fit for your goals and preferences. Before signing up for a class or monthly gym membership, we ask those new to us to book in to explore what we have to offer, meet the team, and discover their strengths.

During your free trial, you’ll complete a class of your choosing (we typically recommend the WOD as it offers a wide variety of exercise types) alongside our existing coaches and fitness community. We’ll be sure to give you a warm welcome, and all the encouragement you need. 

What is Orwell Fitness’ drop-in policy?

We love visitors! To schedule your drop-in session, please fill in the form above. We’ll reach out to you as soon as possible!

What equipment do CrossFit gyms have?

CrossFit gyms are often called ‘boxes’ in reference to their minimalistic, functional nature. As a large number of CrossFit exercises are bodyweight based, a CrossFit gym may focus less on machines than a typical gym or leisure centre – offering a strong focus on functional equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells, pull up bars, ring sets, medicine balls, climbing ropes, and plyo boxes – though some are equipped with rowing machines and stationary bikes. Orwell Fitness’ primary equipment is as follows:

Concept 2 Rowers

Rogue Echo Bikes

Concept 2 Ski Ergs

34ft Rig 

Barbells, Kettlebells, Dumbbells and More

To find out more about our gym, arrange a free trial or drop-in session using the form above. We can’t wait to welcome you.

What is a Crossfit Level 2 coach?

CrossFit Level 2 coaches have completed two thorough levels of coaching and exams in line with CrossFit’s official requirements, meaning they’re well equipped to lead a WOD, or coach athletes through a wide range of movements and disciplines including gymnastics, weightlifting, and HIIT. Coaches of this level should be highly competent, train effectively, possess a deep understanding of the CrossFit methodology, create solid, measurable goals and outcomes for their members, and be able to devise quality program structures featuring scaling for any ability level. They should also be able to correct their athlete’s form and instruct them in a way that minimises the risk of injury. 

Orwell Fitness’ hand-selected fitness team hold a wide range of qualifications including CrossFit Levels 1 and 2 and are backed by years of competitive and coaching experience. To find out more about them, read above.

What is personal training level 3?

Personal Training Level 3 is a  well-recognised certification in personal training, accredited by both the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. In order to complete this qualification, personal trainers must first complete Personal Training Level 2 (covering health, safety and welfare in a fitness environment, anatomy and physiology within the context of exercise, the principles of health, fitness, and exercise, gym planning, instructing, and support). Throughout their Level 3 training, personal trainers build on this further upon this knowledge, particularly within the fields of anatomy and physiology for health and exercise, the principles of nutrition for physical activity, and programming personal training with clients.

Orwell Fitness’ hand-selected fitness team hold a wide range of qualifications including Personal Training levels 2 and 3 and are backed by years of competitive and coaching experience. To find out more about them, read above.

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