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When Lucas and his wife Debs relocated from South London to Torrington in August 2024, they happened to move in next door to what would become a life-changing place: Function Fitness.
“I walked past for a couple of months and noticed it wasn’t full of your typical gym guys,” says Lucas. “People were laughing, shouting, groaning — in a good way! They looked like regular people of all shapes, sizes, genders and ages having fun. That was what drew me in.”
A toy designer by trade (and affectionately known by Charlie’s kids as “Mr Hot Wheels”), Lucas was travelling often between London and the US for work and felt his fitness had slipped. He was also in the middle of renovating Cromwell House — a project that, as he puts it, “involves a lot of heavy lifting and carrying.” Getting stronger wasn’t just about looking better — it was about feeling better and keeping up with life.
“My goal was straightforward — to regain my general fitness,” Lucas explains. “I wanted to lose a bit of weight, build some muscle, and feel like the best version of my 53-year-old self.”
With Charlie’s guidance, Lucas started with two group classes and one semi-private coaching session each week. He also committed to working with Gemma on his nutrition. As a self-declared foodie (and with one of his sons working as a chef at Claridge’s), food wasn’t something Lucas wanted to sacrifice — he just wanted a healthier, more sustainable relationship with it.
“I’ve done Slimming World and Weight Watchers before, but the weight always came back. Gemma helped me understand the psychology behind my food choices. No guilt — just support, encouragement, and accountability. The weight is coming off slowly, but the habits are changing for life.”
With Steve’s patient coaching in semi-private sessions, Lucas quickly built the foundations and confidence to join in with larger group classes. “I’m lifting heavier weights now — and most importantly, doing it safely.”
The support didn’t stop with the coaches. “When you join Function Fitness, you make a lot of friends. I came to Torrington knowing very few people, and now I feel like part of the community. Everyone — Charlie, Steve, Gemma, Harry — they all cheer you on, give you confidence, and yes, occasionally trash-talk you too! (Thank you, Steve.)”
Lucas has had several proud moments since joining — like deadlifting 100kg at an inter-gym competition thanks to the encouragement of his gym buddies. “I would’ve stopped long before that if they hadn’t pushed me to keep going.”
But one of the moments that meant the most? “I was in a class, doing barbell squats, and mid-rep Charlie walked through and said my technique was perfect. Steve had worked with me for weeks to get it right — so hearing that from the boss felt amazing.”
Then there was HYROX — an epic challenge full of sweat, grit, and… cowboy costumes. “It was such hard work, but so much fun. I gasped and laughed in equal measures. That day was a turning point for me.”
Lucas isn’t chasing extremes — he’s building a foundation for a strong, active future. “I’m going to keep turning up, keep laughing, keep gasping. My friend Caroline and I agreed — we’re doing this for our future selves. Strength and conditioning will pay off most as we get older.”
“Come and have a go. It can be whatever you want it to be. It’s such a welcoming place, everyone is friendly, and it’s actually fun. You’ll hurt like hell after the first few sessions, but you’ll feel amazing. You’ll get the bug, meet brilliant people, and soon you’ll be boring your friends with all the gym things you’ve done that day!”
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