Residents Battle Noisy 6.30am Gym – A Fight for Peace

An Ex-Serviceman’s Home Gym in a Quiet Hampshire Village – A Cause of Uproar

A former serviceman who converted his £125,000 garage into a Hyrox gym has caused a stir in his quiet village of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire. The locals complain that the ambiance has taken a noisy turn, with the serenity marred by deep, monotonous bass beats, often beginning as early as 6.30am and continuing until 7pm.

A Home Studio Reborn as a Gym

The ex-serviceman, Glen Jepson, 38, transformed his garage into a fitness hub in 2020. He conducts mini-classes up to five times a day, with the membership cost going up to £158 a month. Jepson’s fitness sessions incorporate Hyrox, a sought-after indoor fitness routine that mashes up running with traditional exercises like lunges, burpees, and sled pushes. Founded in 2017, Hyrox now has a presence in 11 countries and aims at challenging participants to complete eight rounds of short runs and exercises in the least amount of time.

The Noise Complaints and Planning Permission

Following the noise complaints, Jepson – a former Royal Navy engineer – has been asked to seek planning permission from the New Forest district council to use his garage as a gym. His application has garnered 72 comments supporting the transformation, mainly from gym members, while receiving ten objections, primarily from close neighbours.

Residents Voicing Their Concerns

One of the residents, Jennifer Croxson, notes that the gym, known as Skwat, seems out of place in a quiet, residential cul-de-sac. She adds that the monotonous bass beats are not just audible but can also be felt, making it uncomfortable to be outside during certain gym sessions. Another pair of residents, Simon and Paula Ince, share similar concerns. They liken the situation to residing near a nightclub.

Other residents have shown concern over parking issues, as gym-goers often park on the streets, occasionally obstructing access to homes. Robert Wyatt, a resident of a neighboring road, mentions that the booming bass sounds from the gym often wake them up as early as 6.30am, making it difficult to relax in the garden or keep windows open.

The Value of the Gym to Members

Despite the objections, several supportive comments highlight the gym’s value to its members. Jepson defends his gym by stating that the volume is kept below legal thresholds and is significantly reduced before and after classes. He also ensures that parking isn’t an issue as the property has 15 parking spaces and classes accommodate no more than 12 people. The New Forest district council is set to decide on the application next month.

The Thriving Culture of Hyrox Fitness

Hyrox, also referred to as the “world’s coolest fitness rave,” is a growing fitness trend that encourages intense workout sessions accompanied by loud dance music. The format includes running a kilometer around an arena, followed by a functional exercise, a pattern that is repeated eight times. With a motto like “Walk in strong, crawl out stronger,” it is no wonder this fitness trend is popular among influencers. It also offers a great opportunity for a post-workout group photo, often seeing participants in designer gymwear. As per internal estimates, Hyrox is projected to make around £70 million from race fees alone this year.