For SCL Members Jay and Emma, fitness racing has become about much more than medals and finish times. It’s about health, friendship, travel, confidence and proving that getting older doesn’t mean slowing down.
Their journey with SCL started long before they had ever heard of fitness racing and indeed before brands like HYROX had even emerged.
More than 13 years ago, Emma decided to stop smoking and signed up for a 10K race to give herself something to work towards.
“I first joined the gym when I stopped smoking,” Emma explains. “I’d signed up for a 10K to motivate myself to get fit and started training to get ready.”
That decision changed far more than her fitness.
While training for that first race, she met Jay, and what began as a shared interest in running soon became a shared lifestyle and eventually they went on to build a life together as husband and wife.
Over the years they’ve thrown themselves into all kinds of training together; running, kettlebells, spinning, gym sessions, swimming. They have both competed in all sorts of events; from marathons to obstacle course races, and are always looking for new challenges to tackle side by side.
Knowing their love of new fitness challenges, in 2024, a friend suggested they jump on the latest trend and give fitness racing a go.
They headed along to a DAVROX class at Swinton & Pendlebury Leisure Centre, and signed up to a HYROX Sim at CrossFit SCL to give the format a go.
They’ve been hooked ever since.
“I love the challenge of it”
says Emma.
That feeling when you finish… wow. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Although she admits the competition itself isn’t always her favourite part.
“I actually love the training more than the competing. I’m not a big fan of big races. I get really nervous, but once I start I won’t stop. I won’t give up.”
Jay enjoys the atmosphere just as much as the racing itself.
I like the competitive side. I enjoy the racing, the vibe and the energy on the day. It’s just something you have to experience.
Together they’ve discovered a sport that’s pushed them further than they ever imagined.
One of the biggest reasons they’ve been able to achieve so much is that they’re doing it together.
Emma laughs that Jay would probably take life a little easier without her encouragement.
“He’d definitely have more rests if it wasn’t for me!”
Jay agrees.
I do better training with Emma. She pushes me, and that keeps me going.
For Emma, training with Jay offers her emotional as well as physical support.
“I do better training with Jay because I know he has my back.”
She says.
Their commitment to their fitness journey extends beyond training too.
“It’s given us a common interest. It’s something we do together as a couple.”
And that common interest has extended far beyond the confines of the gym. More than two-and-a-half years ago, they both stopped drinking alcohol, a decision that has brought significant health benefits and helped them focus even more on their goals.
Since discovering fitness racing, they’ve travelled across Europe completing events in places they would never otherwise have visited, including;
And hopefully somewhere in Poland next.
“Since getting into fitness racing we’ve been to loads of places we probably never would have been,” says Emma.
When you book a fitness race, you aren’t just going away for a beach holiday. You fit your trip around the event, but in doing that, we’ve seen some really cool places and had some amazing experiences.
Since getting into fitness racing, Jay has qualified twice for the HYROX World Championships, which were held in Chicago and Stockholm respectively. Both as a team and individually, Emma and Jay have enjoyed success across several fitness racing events.
Recent achievements include:
However, despite those impressive results, neither of them measures success purely by medals or finish times alone.
Ask Emma what she’s most proud of and her answer is surprisingly simple.
For me, it’s just getting to the start line. I love the training, but I get so nervous before races. Once I’ve finished, though, I’m always so happy and proud.
For Jay, the answer has little to do with qualifying for World Championships.
Obviously I’m proud of that, but for me it’s the community and the friends I’ve made.
That sense of belonging has become one of the biggest rewards.
“You make loads of friends in the gym, but also in the wider fitness racing community. There are people I’ll talk to online from all over the world. People I never would have met otherwise. It’s a great sport for bringing people together, for building a global fitness community.”
They also credit the people they train alongside at Swinton and Pendlebury Leisure Centre for helping keep them consistent.
Being part of the community and the group that train at SPLC keeps me accountable and keeps me motivated.
Jay also credits fitness class instructor and fellow fitness athlete Dave Parkin for helping him early in his racing journey.
“Obviously, training with someone like Dave is really inspirational, but he’s also just been so supportive of my journey. At one of my first events I had a target time, and Dave planned all my stations and splits for me, to help me make sure I got it. That support made a huge difference.”
For Emma, one of the things she loves most about fitness racing is the positive lifestyle it represents.
It’s all about being strong, healthy, fuelling right and getting the most out of your body. I think it puts out such a positive message, especially for women. It’s not about how you look; it’s about what you can do.
They also both credit fitness racing and consistent training with helping them age well. The couple have three adult children between them,
“We’re fitter than our kids!” they laugh.
Emma recently recorded the fastest 10K time she’s ever run, despite dedicating less time to run specific training than she has in previous years.
I’m proud that we’ve not just got older and ‘given up’ on ourselves. If anything, we’ve got fitter and stronger as we’ve got older. This is probably the best shape I’ve been in.
Emma says.
Their racing calendar shows no signs of slowing down.
Next up is DEKA in Manchester before travelling to Malta in November for Deadly Dozen.
Jay is also keen to tick Poland off the list with a future HYROX event.
I’ve never been before, and there are some good races in Poland. I just think – why not?
New races mean new goals, new places to visit and another reason to stay committed.
“Once you’ve signed up, you’ve got something to work towards, and that keeps you motivated to train.” says Emma.
If there’s one message they’d give to anyone thinking about trying fitness racing, it’s simple.
“Have a go. Set your mind to it and sign up. It gives your training a focus.”
They think some people are put off fitness racing because they assume the sport is only for elite athletes.
But they have found the reality to be very different.
Fitness racing is far more accessible than people think. Everyone can do it. The movements aren’t overly complicated or technical, you don’t need loads of specialist equipment, and you can race completely at your own pace. There are so many different events and types of races out there too; it’s not just all about the likes of HYROX.
Most importantly, they say, succeeding with fitness/exercise is about trying everything and finding something you genuinely enjoy.
Exercise is such a good outlet. It’s amazing for your mental health. Find something you love doing and keep turning up.
After more than a decade of training together, that’s exactly what Jay and Emma continue to do, and it’s taken them further than they ever expected, both on and off the race course.
Why not give hybrid training a go with our SCLROX classes as Boughton and Eccles. Find your perfect class now.
Train with Deadly Dozen World Record holder, Dave Parkin, at his ‘DAVROX’ Classes at Swinton and Pendlebury Leisure Centre.
Try daily CrossFit and HYROX training sessions at CrossFit SCL, sign up for a free trial now – or try one of CrossFit SCL’s Bootcamp sessions, included in a standard SCL Fitness Membership – explore the CrossFit SCL Timetable now!
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