Celebrating 40 years of James Brown

We’re raising a protein shake (or maybe a cheeky slice of cake) to wish a massive happy 40th birthday to none other than James Brown, our Assistant Manager and fitness class guru.

James, who’s been with GLL/Better for nearly 20 years, has become something of a local celebrity — not just for his several years at Barking Sporthouse, but for his boundless energy, cheeky grin, and dedication to helping Barking get better, fitter, and stronger.

Starting way back when step aerobics were all the rage, James has worked his way through a variety of roles and centres, collecting experience, fans, and probably more Lycra than one person reasonably needs. His background in fitness classes is second to none — he’s both the mastermind behind the centre’s class timetable and often the one putting everyone through their paces in his weekly Step classes.

From spin to circuits and Step Aerobics, James knows how to motivate a room — and today, it’s our turn to cheer for him.

So next time you’re in the centre, pop in, say hi, and wish James a happy 40th — he might blush (just a little), but he’ll love it. And if you’re lucky, you might even get a birthday burpee challenge!

Here’s to you, James — 40 years fabulous, 20 years loyal, and still going stronger than a pre-workout espresso shot.