Aspire Fitness Warehouse, in Newton Aycliffe in Echo’s top 10

This is now the second time that Aspire Fitness Warehouse on Northfield Way in Newton Aycliffe has been up for the accolade.

Offering everything from strength training to cardio, yoga and pilates, the gym has become a stronghold in the town, amassing more than 3,000 followers on social media.

In a previous interview, instructor Sharon Whitehead explained she made a leap into the fitness industry 13 years ago after being made redundant from her global PR role.

Always a lover of fitness classes, Sharon decided to train as a personal trainer when she was 30.
She said: “Fitness has always been part of my life and a passion, so after my redundancy I went back to college.

“I was the oldest there by about 12 years but it was what I loved. I started doing fitness classes locally and it grew from there.

“The community aspect was really important to me, and creating a space for women. We run classes, which range from strength to cardio to yoga and pilates.”

Sharon said she loves to help her clients see what they are capable of in her PT work.

She said: “For us it is all about working out in a group, supporting each other.

“Even though we are all about classes, there’s a massive amount of strength training, whether that is through our Les Mills programme or our own classes, there is something for every level of ability.

“The beauty of the classes is that there is always a coach in front of you who can see if you need to adjust your stance or if you need help.

“It also means if someone has an injury we can adapt to them.”

The full list of nominees to be crowned best gym can be found here.

To vote for your favourite gym, simply complete the form in The Northern Echo this week and return it to: The Northern Echo Best Gym 2026, Local IQ House, 1 Dalston Road, Carlisle, CA2 5NP, before February 4. Votes will be counted shortly after voting closes.