If you are looking for York's premier health club take a walk along the western bank of the river Ouse to 'the shield maker's street', the Viking name for Skeldergate, and along there you'll see The Old Sawmill. The Old Sawmill is conveniently tucked inside our city walls in the heart of historic York and, as you would expect, has a unique story of its own. It was built early in the 19th century as part of the industrial revolution. As the name suggests it was a fully functioning wood mill, taking deliveries from Emperors Wharf of timber from the forests of Northern Europe via the river Ouse. Most of the wood cut here was sold to local carpenters. If you live in a 19th Century house in York, chances are the wood within it was shipped out of our front door. Flash forward two centuries and The Old Sawmill has become part of York's cool urban apartment culture. Slap bang in the middle of where it all happens, The Old sawmill is now part of a thriving commercial district surrounded by shops, restaurants, hotels and bars.
Established in 1991 Emperors is an independent, family owned business, and is now the longest running health club in York. With state-of-the-art cardiovascular machines, the latest resistance machines, an impressive array of free-weights, Emperors has given The Sawmill a contemporary Hi-Tec make over. You'll see Emperors hangs on to it's history and endearing character with the building keeping many of its original features but also has a fashionable and modern quality. We are pretty confident that we have not only the best looking health club in York but also the best equipped.
That's who we are, here's are a couple of things that we are not. Emperors is not a body building gym. We welcome all shapes and sizes from teenagers, students, professionals, parents, families, retirees and the elderly. Whatever your reason, feel free to join us anytime without prejudice or intimidation. We are not part of a chain or national company. At Emperors you are more to us than just a number. We believe in quality not quantity so we have no pushy sales staff and there are no hidden costs. Beware of budget health clubs, though they may seem inexpensive these places depend on vast numbers of members, so you'll be lucky if anyone has any time for you. At Emperors your wellbeing is our number one concern, you'll be greeted with a smiley face, and you'll make friends fast. And if you want to take time to yourself and just get on with it well that's ok too!
Mark Robinson
Mark first came to York back in 2000 when he studied for a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. During his graduation he worked here at Emperors as a part-time fitness instructor and worked his way up to become the general manager. Apart from running his own personal training business mark has worked closely with patients prescribed exercise on the Gp referral scheme and has taught many exercise classes. His closely guarded secret is that he is also a qualified aerobics instructor. Recently Mark has completed an NVQ in business management, was awarded a certificate in teaching and qualified as an NVQ assessor. He plans to start up his own training company based at Emperors for aspiring fitness instructors.
Robbie Collinson
Robbie Collinson first worked for Emperors in 2004 as a fitness instructor but left to follow his dream of joining the Royal Marines Commando. After four years dodging bullets and an unfortunate injury Robbie is back with a renewed passion for the fitness industry. Since his return Robbie has been awarded advanced fitness instructor, nutrition for weight management, lifestyle and fitness assessment certificates, and began his own personal training business. Robbie plans to extend his portfolio into sports therapy. Robbie is one of our indoor cycling instructors.
Joel Popplewell
Joel joined the Emperors team just under a year ago on the T.A.G programme helping arrange work experience and training for young people. Joel impressed us so much that we asked him to stay and become a full-time member of our staff. Since then Joel has worked hard gaining valuable experience and completing his Level 2 and 3 NVQ in fitness instruction and personal training. He recently begun another NVQ in customer service. Joel is also one of our indoor cycling instructors.
Sara Saunby
Sara first started training at Emperors nine years ago and is a regular face on the body building circuit taking part in many competitions over the years. We were so impressed with Sara's dedication, passion and hard work that we asked her to be part of our team. Sara is a qualified fitness instructor and is now in the process of completing an NVQ in personal training. In her spare time she likes to dance and in the future will be teaching Zumba classes here at Emperors.
Matt Hyde
Matt is Emperors newest recruit. A former kickboxing instructor Matt has several years experience instructing in a fitness environment. Matt is currently studying a degree in Sports Performance Conditioning at York St John University, where he also completed his qualification in fitness instruction. Matt plans to continue his development and complete the personal trainers qualification. In his spare time Matt is a recruit in the Territorial Army. Look out for Matt's circuit training classes starting soon.
Laura Bough
Super-fit Laura is one Emperors most qualified and experienced studio instructors. She has taught exercises classes in York for over 25 years. For 7 of those years she has put thousands of our members through their paces and has established a dedicated following of fans. Laura has a huge repertoire of classes such as legs, bums and tums, fitness kickboxing, fitness yoga, total body conditioning and step. You'll find Laura here every Monday and Wednesday.
Tanya Adamson
Tanya is a proud mother of two children. When they were at school Tanya found herself in the gym and it was then she decided her hobby would become her vocation. Tanya qualified as a Fitness Instructor and joined our team this year. Her biggest love is to dance and after becoming licensed to do so begun teaching Zumba here at Emperors. Tanya also teaches aerobics, Legs Bums and Tums, Body Toning, Boxing Circuits, Ab Blast, Over 50's, Circuits, Dancercise and Hooping for kids in a number of locations throughout the community.
Joanna White
Jo is one of the latest studio instructors to join the Emperors team. She is a self-confessed fitness enthusiast who's in constant training. Jo regularly takes part in races nationwide, her biggest achievement to date is completing the first ever Scottish Kilomathon (16.3miles). This year she has taken up cycling and is working towards her first Triathlon. Jo enjoys seeing her classes working hard and pushing themselves to their limits, to be part of this join Jo on Thursdays.
Sarah Caldicott
Sarah completed her yoga training at The Yoga Training Centre in Varanasi in 2007 and teaches all levels of Integrated Yoga (Yoga Therapy) through the Indian Yoga Education Society. Sarah has membership with the Kundalini Yoga Training Association (KYTA), and she completed her level 1 teacher training of Kundalini Yoga in 2010, through the tutelage of renowned Kundalini yoga teacher Hari Har Ji. Outside of teaching yoga Sarah is completing her full-time Occupational Therapy programme and provides all levels of Reiki workshops in York.