From its beginnings all those years ago Dave's gym now offers all of the latest equipment and facilities, whilst still keeping the spirit, which made it so popular.

1970's
Daves Gym was founded in 1973 by Dave Mather in two rooms behind a youth club at Winnington. Supported by Roberts Bakery, friends and enthusiasts with just a few weights benches and dumbbells, the gym was initially only open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6pm to 9pm for men only .It soon became apparent more space was required for the ever increasing equipment accumulated. Gradually the youth club allocated more and more space to the gym as it quickly expanded. At that time it cost just 20p to train and was basic with no carpets, bare walls and although there was a variety of equipment this too was basic and nowhere near today’s standards (Cardio-What was that!)

1980's
As we entered the 80’s the gym had obtained its 1st sunbed and realized that women also wanted to train in a gym environment. Hence the introduction of ladies nights in 1982 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. The first floor of the youth club then became available and changing rooms and showers were located with yet more equipment. Soon the whole Mather family became involved in running the gym. Wife Joyce on reception with daughter Karen and son Neil opening up at the earlier time of 4pm after school. In the mid 80’s the power lifting background was still very apparent with members competing in power lifting and bodybuilding competions. In 1984 Dave’s hosted the Northwest countries weightlifting competition. The gym welcomed visits from Tom Platz, a competitor in Mr Olympia, Brian Buchanan who was Mr Universe and Bill Kazmaier, the world’s strongest man. Exercise classes such as fatigues, a military style intense workout lasting half an hour were introduced. In 1988, step aerobics, the latest exercise phenomenon swept the country resulting in both Joyce and Neil taking classes which became very popular. Some of the very first members to participate still attend the current exercise classes. Cardio exercise was running up and down Winnington Hill.

1990's
The gym obtained its first exercise bike, a Tunturi, unaware of the imminent cardiovascular explosion. A Charity Day was held in aid of the Scanner appeal at Leighton hospital where members attended classes and exercised for sponsorship and managed to raise just under £8000

In 1994 the gym started its popular sunbed hire service, offering door-to-door sunbed hire. Around the same time as starting its sunbed hire service the new gym got its first major addition in the form of a stage for CV equipment.

Over the next few years the gym membership steadily grew along with the equipment and facilities. In 2000 the gym's capacity was reached and more space was needed. As a result the gym installed a mezzanine floor. This would give the gym the extra room it needed.

2005 core training
In 2005 Dave's acquired some of the latest core equipment available on the market in the Power Plate, Flexibar and bosu. This was the first wave of a growing trend towards core equipment featured at Daves.

2006 a busy year
In 2006 Daves Gym made some major changes to the gym. Firstly Dave's Gym built a new fitness centre for all of the gyms classes along with a beauty salon. This allowed the main gym to be significantly extended where the classes had been. For the extra capacity Dave's Gym also extended the car park for the increase in gym users.

Today
Today sees the gym as a hive of activity with friendships that started in Winnington all those years ago still just as strong as ever with new friendships being made all the time. The spirit of the old gym is still carried through to the present day and it's what makes Dave's gym what it is today.