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In the corner of a large room with a fuzzy green and red carpet, Judith Morgan stood behind the wood-panelled bar and asked: “Do you want a drink, love?”

She started-up the blender over the low rumble of chatter and lively music and made a baby-pink protein shake for Connor – everyone is on a first-name basis.

It’s clear this is a place where everyone knows each other, at the heart of the community. It’s also a place to exercise, with at least four treadmills, two rowing machines and two stationary bikes in the same room – because it’s actually a gym.

In fact, it’s Rhymney’s only gym, Fit4Living Fitness Centre – and it’s at risk of closing.

“It is really difficult,” said Judith about the fate of her gym.

“It is very community-based,” she said, “that’s what it’s all about.”

With recent patrons ranging from grandchildren of gym-goers – supervised, of course – to people in their 80s, the gym is a welcoming place. 

“You can leave your phone around here, you can leave your purse around here,” said Judith, speaking about the gym that has been in Buchan building as part of the Whitbread Centre, Rhymney for around 11 years.

“[The gym-goers] all talk to each other.” 

It’s likely the gym will need to find other premises due to a planned Linc Cymru housing development on Rhymney walk.

While no planning permission has been applied for yet, a public consultation revealed the intention to build a children’s home and 27 new homes right where Judith’s gym is. 

Despite not being served notice, Judith is worried she will need to leave sometime this year.

“I’m definitely looking proactively but there is nothing suitable around here,” she said, adding that the new premises would need to be around 2,000 square feet.

What’s available in the area is “too big” or “far too expensive”, according to Judith. 

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about the redevelopment in November 2022, Cllr Carl Cuss, who represents Twyn Carno said: “There is a demand for this type of facility,” referring to commercial buildings like the Whitbread centre.

“If there are any available they’re quite expensive.”

Cllr Cuss also said the council was trying to help and admitted: “We don’t want to lose the gym.”

One of the few available properties in the area would more than double Judith’s annual rent of £11,000 and is out of her price range.

It’s a worry, but Judith stresses that despite her predicament she isn’t anti-development – she’s anti-poor planning. 

“I don’t think the people around here are afraid of development,” said Judith, though that comes with a condition. “Development for development’s sake is not a good thing.”

Especially when, according to Judith, there are not adequate services and infrastructure put in place to accommodate the changes. 

Judith said: “They’re not feeding anything back into the community. We’re finding it hard to get a doctor’s appointment, we’re finding it hard to get a dentist appointment, we’re finding it hard to place children in schools and nurseries – so it’s a lot to do.”

According to the Upper Rhymney Valley Local Wellbeing Assessment report from January 2022, one part of Twyn Carno is ranked as the most deprived area in the Upper Rhymney Valley and is eighth in Wales for overall deprivation, in terms of Lower Super Output Areas – which are geographical areas used to report statistics of small areas. 

It may be a battle to find new premises but Judith has made a promise – it’s Rhymney or nowhere.

“[The gym] has to be in Rhymney and if it can’t stay in Rhymney I really wouldn’t want it to go anywhere else.”

This loyalty, however, goes both ways. Rhymney resident Ian Breen comes to the gym four or five times a week.

“It’s a people’s gym,” said Ian. “It’s a gym where we all help each other.”

It’s sociable too. “I came here to do a gym session and I ended up having about four coffees and no gym session,” he added, “that’s how it is.”

He feels strongly that the concerns of the people who go to the gym – by his estimates up to 270 people – are not being heard. 

“Nobody’s helping,” said Ian, “it’s disgusting.”

Ian’s issues lie mainly with Caerphilly County Borough Council. He said: “When I pay tax I want to think that my council will look after my community – they don’t.

“They’re looking after everybody else,” he added, and as if speaking directly to the council said: “you’re not accommodating the people who are actually here and live here now.”

A spokesperson from Caerphilly County Borough Council told Caerphilly Observer this was a “proposed Linc Cymru development which has yet to receive planning permission.”

A Linc Cymru spokesperson confirmed the Buchan building is proposed to be converted and the Whitbread Centre is proposed to be demolished for planned housing and that it is working with Caerphilly County Borough Council, local councillors and the community to find “appropriate space” for the business owners.

The spokesperson said: “We understand the value of the gym for local people and our team has been proactive in seeking out possible new venues for the gym’s owner. 

“This has included utilising our skills to seek out the unknown owner of the former Lloyds Bank building and facilitating a viewing as well as discussions with the landlord.

“Unfortunately, the building was unsuitable for the gym, though we will provide ongoing support to Judith and her gym community.

“As Linc progresses its plans for this development, we’ll be working hard to ensure the new homes bring wider community benefits, through charitable partnerships, apprenticeship opportunities and community engagement.” 

For Ian, it’s about principles but also practicalities. Travelling somewhere other than Rhymney to exercise would cost time and money.

Ian said: “If I’ve got to go to Tredegar or Merthyr, as soon I jump in that car and go there twice a week I’ve spent a fiver on petrol.”

Darren Withers is also a keen gym-goer. In fact, he’s so loyal to Judith that he’s followed her each time she’s moved – that’s three gyms and counting.

Darren says it would be a “travesty” if it had to close, especially now he’s started bringing his eight-year-old grandson too. It is, he says, the perfect place to ease him into exercise. 

“There’s a different atmosphere, it’s kind,” said Darren.

He also explained there are also womens’ classes there, and hailed how “accessible” the gym is compared to other facilities which can be quite “intimidating”. 

According to figures from The Gym Group’s OnePoll survey, one in three Brits are scared about feeling “out of place” in the gym and women face further obstacles. 

The Nuffield Health Healthier Nation Index survey found that fewer women than men exercise, leading to what some scientists call the ‘gender exercising gap’. 

Judith’s gym seems to buck the trend. “She’s brilliant,” said gym-goer Carla Thomas, who credited losing 19kg (3st) to Judith’s nutrition advice and workout help.

On the prospect of the gym closing she said: “I think it would be a massive hit to Rhymney and the surrounding areas.”

Losing the town’s only gym would only make the fact people in Rhymney struggle with their health worse. According to figures from the Upper Rhymney Valley Local Wellbeing Assessment, on average more people in the area report their daily activities are impacted by health issues at 30.2% compared to 22.7% in Wales overall.

“I don’t think I would go to another gym,” added Carla, “I’ve tried other gyms, I just feel so intimidated.”

As the work day came to a close, clients filed into the gym and Judith remained behind the bar, piled high with protein bars and powders, welcoming people on a first-name basis and mixing up more protein shakes.

Despite having no prospect of where she can move to, Judith clearly has hope. She smiled, turned away from the blender and said: “You don’t know what’s around the corner.”