HELPING members become injury free, achieve their fitness goals and feel relaxed at the gym are crucial to the success of Namix Performance Centre.

And they’re just some of the reasons why clients voted for the Northwich venue to win Best Gym in Mid Cheshire for the second year in a row.

Husband and wife team Charlotte and Chris Wood scooped the 2022 title and they’ve added the 2023 award to their collection.

Each week, we will be searching for the best Mid Cheshire has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 16 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Oliver Gibney Hairdressing

Best for Pies – Ka Pie

Best for Nails – Samantha Dean Nails and Makeup

Best for Roast Dinner – The Red Lion in Little Budworth

Best for Cocktails – Grape and Bean

Best for Breakfast – Kanya Bistro and Bar

Best for Fitness – Simon Daniels

Best for Fish and Chips – The Corner Fish and Chip Shop

Best for Tattoos – Ink FX Tattoo

Best for Pizza – Oakwood Smoke and Dough

Best for Pets – Willowsway Cat Rescue

Best Independent Shop or Business – The Style Hut

Best for Desserts – Layers Treats

Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time

Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best Beer Garden is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Afternoon Tea.

Next on the list was the search for Mid Cheshire’s Best Gym and Namix Performance Centre took the latest Best of 2023 crown taking back-to-back awards.

Namix took the 2022 and 2023 Best Gym title

Namix took the 2022 and 2023 Best Gym title

Namix Performance Centre on Denton Drive is owned by Chris and Charlotte and managed by Tom Merrick.Brother and sister Tom and Charlotte grew up in Hartford and Chris grew up in Wincham.

The therapy business was established in 2013 with the gym side of the company opening in August 2019 just a few months before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Charlotte, who is 27, said: “Our centre is an all-in-one training facility where we offer injury assessments and treatments, sports massages and one-to-one personal training and exercise rehab as well as strength and conditioning training plans and gym memberships.

“We’re a little different to other gyms because in our premium gym memberships, you receive a 30-minute sports therapy session every month, bring a friend passes and discounted PT sessions.

“This ensures we offer the whole package in one health membership.

“Chris has run his own sports therapy business since 2013 and over the years he has continued to expand the company and the clientele to the point where that the company actually outgrow the injury clinic.

“We spoke about what the future of our business would look like and decided to take on a gym premises and run a gym and therapy centre in one.

“At the time, we had very little experience of running a gym but knew from being in previous gyms what we wanted to get out of a gym and we run it based on that.”

One-to-one personal training and injury rehab sessions at Namix

One-to-one personal training and injury rehab sessions at Namix

Between Chris, Charlotte and Tom they’ve found the perfect combination to run a gym - Chris looked at the gym from an injury rehab perspective, Tom considered what a gym would look like from a strength and conditioning perspective and Charlotte thought about what it would look and feel like from a female perspective.

Charlotte said: “Together our concept merged to become an empowering and supportive environment for all.

“Our background as directors is professional sports and sports therapy.

“Chris and I have worked in professional sports settings and Chris has an extensive background in injury therapy, meaning he could lead the team in bridging the gap between the traditional physio and a gym membership.

“Our type of business truly allows us and our team to help and support others in their health and well-being.

“To us, there is no better type of business.”

Namix Performance Centre opened on Denton Drive in Northwich in 2019

Namix Performance Centre opened on Denton Drive in Northwich in 2019

So what makes Namix Performance Centre different to other gyms? What sets them apart from their competitors?

Charlotte said: “We are injury management and sports performance specialists.

“This means that whatever your sport, from football to rugby, we’re here to support your performance with our strength and conditioning sessions.

“We also specialise in MSK injuries including back and neck pain and knee pain, therefore anyone that wants to improve their fitness but struggles with these issues is given the right support at Namix.

“We look after clients from pain to performance.

“We offer sports massages for all members on their birthday, sports therapy sessions every month to keep members injury free and ongoing support and advice to our members when they need it.

“Not only that, but since reopening after Covid, we have implemented monthly gym challenges and social events to also help members improve upon their social and mental wellbeing.

“A gym shouldn’t just be about the physical health but the overall wellbeing including mental and social.

“The gym challenges and social events help members feel engaged, support each other and meet new friends.

“This is now a big part of Namix and our social events can range from team social drinks to hikes and tough mudder races.”

Sports and injury massage at Namix

Sports and injury massage at Namix

Chris added: “The most rewarding part of our job is helping people with their goals.

“Whether it is seeing members succeed, seeing them become injury-free or even becoming relaxed in the gym environment – it is always so rewarding.

“The great thing about our business is no two hours are the same.

“One hour we could work with junior athletes who are on Team GB pathways and then work with a 70-year-old lady who has had hip surgery.

“We love the variety in our jobs.

“Currently, there is more emphasis on people trying to find ways to proactively manage their medical conditions such as arthritis, rehab after fractures and soft tissue injuries, pre and post-surgery rehab and hypermobility – this is just to name a few.

“This is where we come into our own as most gyms don’t specialise in MSK injuries and we can support the NHS waiting lists by offering affordable private treatment and health memberships.”

After winning Mid Cheshire’s Best Gym in 2022, everyone at Namix was thrilled to find out they’d made the shortlist again this year.

Charlotte said: “As independent family-run gym, everyone has respect for other independent gyms in the area, such as Dave’s Gym, and it was great to see both of us nominated and backed by our customers.

“To win Mid Cheshire’s Best Gym is amazing but to win this two years in a row is just incredible for us.

“Since our last win in 2022, we have continued to work hard to improve the gym experience and we’re delighted that members are enjoying their experience with us.

“We’d just like to thank our customers and clients for all their votes and support.

“We are so grateful to them for not only this year but also for voting for us twice to win in two consecutive years.

“It was an absolute dream for us to open Namix and it really does mean a lot to us to see our members enjoying the gym we worked hard to create.”

For more details go to facebook.com/NamixPerformance