pro life fitness centre
London
We first opened our doors in June 1990 in a small 3,000 ft industrial unit in
Espedair Street in Paisley. The fitness industry was very much in its infancy
back in those days with no other stand-alone gyms or sports clubs in the Paisley
area. Pro life was very much ahead of its time and one of a kind. Alex Whelan (7
times Scottish Body Building Champion) and family friend Brian Corkindale formed
a partnership to create a state-of-the-art fitness centre in the heart of
Paisley. Cybex fitness equipment and Startrac cardio machines were imported from
America and over £10k was invested in fitness testing equipment. The dream very
quickly became a reality and Pro-Life was born. The facility in Espedair Street
quickly took off and was a major success. Alex saw the potential for expansion
and in Feb 1993, Pro-Life embarked on a new chapter moving to a purpose built
12,000 sq ft unit and grew from 500 to 1200 members on its opening day. The same
year Brian left the business to focus on the licensed trade leaving Alex as sole
owner with the ambition to grow the business to new heights. Over the years,
many further expansions and improvements have taken place to develop the centre
to what we see now – an amazing 30,000 sq ft health & fitness centre with a
separate stand alone five-a-side football complex incorporating 5 parks,
function room, sports bar and cafe. In 2014 Pro Life entered an new exciting
chapter when Alex made the decision to licence the main gym to Renfrewshire
Sports Charity. The business is now run by a Board of Trustees as a registered
charity. All profits made from trading go to our 2 charities – The Accord and St
Vincent’s Hospices as well as supporting young up and coming talented
sportspeople in the Renfrewshire Area. In November 2019 Pro Life entered the
National Fitness Awards for the first time and won both categories we entered –
Best Gym In Scotland and UK Strength Gym of the Year – in what was a night we
will never forget. A fitting tribute to all our amazing members who have
supported the gym for the last 30 years in Paisley and to Alex and all the staff
that have made it what it is over the last 30 years.
