An Alexandria gym owner who set up her business as a single mum looking to get the area healthier has admitted that she can’t believe it has been named the best in Scotland.
Lisa Milton founded Fit-in Fitness Instruction in January 2018, moving into her own premises in Bridge Street the following year.
After holding classes remotely during the pandemic, Fit-in gradually returned to in-person training – and was rewarded when it was named Dunbartonshire’s best fitness business at the Scotland Business Awards last year.
The ceremony is one of the biggest business competitions in Scotland.
The top honour qualified Lisa’s business for the national award, and she admits she was speechless when it was announced as the winner at a glittering ceremony recently.
Lisa told the Lennox: “I was lost for words. It was overwhelming.
“My clients are great and they are the most important thing.
“But being recognised for something like this is just lovely. It’s just a great feeling.
“We were emotional, it all got a bit chaotic. We were so shocked.
“It was nice for some of my clients to be there too. It meant so much that they wanted to come and support us.
“It was nice to have them to celebrate with as well. I look at the award and think, my goodness. I still can’t believe it. It doesn’t seem real. It’s just amazing.
“It shows that you can achieve your dreams if you just go for them.”
Lisa overcame the challenges of being a single parent to launch her own fitness business.
She was a stay-at-home mother for four years after the birth of her daughter Emily.
When her daughter was set to start primary school, Lisa decided it was time to make her dream of running a fitness school a reality.
And Lisa, who attended the awards bash with husband Kevin Madden, said that it was her clients who make Fit-in what it is. She explained: “It’s definitely not just down to myself, it’s down to my clients who create a nice atmosphere when you go in.
“My main goal when I started out with Fit-in was that everybody fits in.
“There are still so many people who are scared to exercise.
“I think a lot of people are stuck with the mentality that you need to be fit to go and exercise.
“But that’s what we’re there for.
“I get messages all the time saying once I’ve lost weight or got fitter I’ll come to the classes. That’s what I’m there for.
“Once people come in they should feel comfortable.
“We have all different ages who come to classes and everybody is at different levels.
“We’re about feeling comfortable and not having that cliquey sort of atmosphere.
“When the mystery shoppers have come in I think they’ve obviously felt that environment.
“It’s down to my clients, whether it’s day or night it’s enjoyable.
“When anybody new comes in I see everybody welcoming them.
“It’s always the same.”
