Gareth is 65 years old and lives in Clapham. He joined Hex Life after plenty of encouragement from his partner, knowing he wanted to build more strength and muscle as he moved into older age.
What makes Gareth’s story even more special? He’d never been to a gym before.
The Challenge
Before joining Hex Life, Gareth knew staying strong as he got older was important — but he wasn’t sure what he was capable of.
Like many people later in life, the idea of starting gym-based training felt daunting.
He wanted to improve his strength and muscle, but without any previous gym experience, it was hard to imagine how far he could really go.
Why He Nearly Didn’t Start
Gareth never thought the gym would be “for someone like him”.
He couldn’t picture himself lifting weights, let alone training for a competitive fitness event.
There was uncertainty around where to start, what was realistic, and whether he’d actually feel confident enough to keep showing up.
The Turning Point
Once Gareth started training at Hex Life, things changed quickly.
With the right guidance, encouragement, and structure, he began doing things he never thought possible — and enjoying them.
Training became something he felt proud of, not intimidated by.
The Results
In less than a year, Gareth achieved results that genuinely surprised him.
He’s now:
✅ Built noticeable strength and muscle at 65
✅ Taken part in Battle Cancer — something he never imagined doing
✅ Gained confidence through consistent training
✅ Deadlifted 100kg, an achievement he’s incredibly proud of
Here’s how Gareth puts it:
“Participating in Battle Cancer makes me feel very proud.
I’m doing something I never thought eight months ago I would ever achieve.”
And his favourite exercise?
“My favourite exercise at Hex — which I never thought I’d be able to do — is the deadlift.
I’ve achieved 100 kilos and I’m very proud of myself.”
What This Means for You
If you think it’s “too late” to start, or that the gym isn’t for you — Gareth’s story proves otherwise.
At Hex Life, age and experience don’t limit what’s possible.
With the right support, you might surprise yourself far more than you expect.