Interview with David Ling, General Manager – Hammersmith Fitness First
Q. What’s new at Fitness First?
We’ve spent £1.8m on our recent refurb to completely rejuvenate the club including a 17.5m pool, three studios (now including hot yoga), brand new CV and strength training equipment and two Olympic Lifting platforms.
Q. Locals tell me your fitness team are amazing. Why?
They are genuine, positive, friendly and committed to helping our members go further in life. We also have more ways to interact with our increase in space, freestyle equipment and gym floor classes.
Q. What is Fitness First’s connection with Team GB?
We are partnered with the British Olympic Association (BOA) as its first-ever Official Fitness Partner, supporting Team GB athletes as they embark on their road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Q. What is Fitness First’s connection with Max Whitlock?
An Olympic medallist, Max trains hard; he’s positive and is an inspiration for me and our team. We have great people and great facilities and the atmosphere is amazing. Max is part of that.
Interview with Olympic champion Max Whitlock
’Set yourself goals. Aim high’
Q. Is ‘zoning’ before a competition fact or fiction?
It’s true. You’ve got to get into that zone in every competition you do. You have to be consistent whether it’s a small domestic competition or the Olympic Games. You’ve got to look at it in the same way.
Q. How are plans progressing for Rio?
Me and my coach began a four year plan straight after the London Olympics so I am well prepared for Rio and absolutely solid. We are hitting our targets. Rio is the main aim.
Q. What advice would you offer young people interested in competitive sport?
Set yourself goals. When you reach them reset them. Make yourself even more ambitious. Aim high. If you enjoy the sport keep going at it. What you enjoy you do more. What you do more you get better at. Stick at what you enjoy.