Evolutis at 10: A Gym for Over 40s in Coolock

You want to get fitter. You're just not sure you'll feel at home in a gym.

Maybe it's been years since you trained. Maybe you've joined before, gone for a few weeks and gradually stopped.

You wonder whether everyone else will be fitter than you. Whether you'll know what to do. Whether you'll feel awkward walking in on your own.

When work and family already take most of your time, finding the energy to start again can be hard enough.

As we celebrate ten years of Evolutis in Coolock, that uncertainty is something I keep coming back to. Creating a place where people feel comfortable getting started has shaped what we do here

​Ten years in Coolock, with the same purpose

Our first Superdad Fitness Project group started in 2014. Two years later, we opened the gym in Coolock.
The idea grew from my own experience as a dad trying to look after myself while managing everything else that comes with family life.

I wanted to create something that helped other people do the same.

Today, we coach adults over 40 from Coolock, Artane, Raheny and the surrounding areas. People with jobs, families and plenty going on outside the gym.

That everyday reality still shapes how we train, how we coach and how we welcome people through the door.

The story Dublin Live picked up on

We were delighted to be featured in Dublin Live as we approached our tenth birthday.

The article explored the gym's role as a place for adults over 40 to train, connect with other people and have an outlet during a busy week.

One of the things I spoke about was the friendships people have made here. Some of our longer-standing members have built their circle of friends through the gym.

You can read the Dublin Live feature about Evolutis and our tenth birthday.

If you're thinking about joining, that social side matters. Having familiar faces around you can make the next session easier to turn up for. You have people to talk to, a coach to ask for help and somewhere you can take a bit of time for yourself.

What that looks like when you start

The welcome needs to be backed up by good coaching.

At Evolutis, our 45-minute small group personal training sessions give you a clear plan to follow, with a coach there to explain the exercises and help you with your technique.

We work from your current ability and experience. You can ask questions. You can get help choosing an appropriate weight or adjusting an exercise.

You also follow a structured programme, so there is a purpose to what you're doing and a way to build on it over time.

For a busy adult getting back into training, that takes a few things off your plate. You book your session, come in and have someone guide you through it.

As the sessions become more familiar, so do the people around you.

What our members say

We now have more than 200 Google reviews, alongside the feedback members have shared on Facebook. We're grateful to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review.

The comments about feeling welcome, getting help from coaches and enjoying the atmosphere are especially useful if you're wondering what to expect.

Brenda put it simply in a recent review:

"No judgement just encouragement & acceptance"

You can read our member reviews and hear more from the people who train here through our member stories.

Over 100 people coming together to celebrate

On Saturday, 19 September, we're celebrating our tenth birthday, with over 100 people already booked to come along.

Current members. Former members. Coaches and former coaches. Friends of Evolutis who have been part of the story along the way.

Seeing that mix of people coming together means a lot to me.

Every one of them has contributed to the place we've built. Through their effort in sessions, their encouragement of other people or the welcome they've given someone on their first day.

To everyone who has been part of Evolutis over the years, thank you.

Your first step can be a simple one

If you're reading this as someone who has been thinking about joining a gym, you don't need to know anyone here already.

You don't need previous experience with weights. You can start with questions, nerves and a busy diary. We can work with that.

Our 6 Week Kickstart gives you a chance to meet the coaches, get comfortable with the sessions and begin building a routine that fits your life.

If you're a busy adult over 40 in Coolock, Artane or Raheny, apply for a place on our 6 Week Kickstart.