One gym in Deptford’s creative quarter is redefining what it means to be a local gym, writes Lilian Mulholland…
For those who want to step away from the chaos of a busy gym, the Fitness Laboratory is set up with community in mind.
Former headteacher Darrel Barsby opened the space in May 2025. “Something that I definitely bring to this place through my experience is that kind of care and consideration.”
With 23 years of teaching and four years of training behind him, Darrel brings a level of care into the gym with him that he says is often missing from bigger chain gyms.
“Something that is missing in the fitness industry is a supportive, encouraging, developmental fitness space”, he said.
Darrel tells me the gym was “purpose built for performance and community”, pointing to this slogan printed on the sign outside. “My philosophy for the Fitness Laboratory is that everybody will be supported.”
The gym is an open space, where members can train for as long as they need. Either Darrel or one of two personal trainers are on site at all times to provide support.
The motivation behind the Fitness Laboratory’s design is a recognition that many people do not know how to make use of the range of equipment in a gym.
Darrel said: “The thing that normal people lack is the knowledge of what to do and how to do it in the gym.
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“Ninety per cent of people don’t know what they are doing in the gym, and these places can be incredibly intimidating.”
The gym is small but has a spacious feel, filled with top-of-the-range machines and premium brands of protein power.
Every aspect of the gym has been meticulously thought-out by Darrel, but what really creates a sense of place is a feature that began by accident.
The walls are lined with sheets of cardboard, personalised training plans penned by Darrel for the people who use the gym.
“I write everything, to start with, on cardboard”, he tells me. “They’ve become a thing, people love them.”
A mix of people come to the Fitness Laboratory each week, from beginners to experienced weight-lifters.
After a few weeks on cardboard, plans are moved over onto an app designed by Darrel with the help of a developer. The app displays workout plans and allows users to track their progress. After two to three weeks on a training programme, these will be tweaked and adapted by Darrel.
He also sends out a weekly newsletter, inviting clients to speak with him about revisions in their training plans. This also includes an exercise of the week, a challenge to clients seeking to try something new. He sends those who take him up on the offer video demonstrations of the move with his voiceover, explaining each stage.
Elliot Sturt, 31, who is a drag queen, joined the gym having struggled to get himself to his previous commercial gym more than a handful of times a month. “This is a space where I have found I can be comfortable. I’m not intimidated anymore.”
I spoke with Elliot on what happened to be his hundredth visit, the gym’s most active member – even after taking off two weeks for his wedding earlier this year.
“It’s made me feel a lot more confident in my job, although I’ve had to throw away a lot of my costumes because I can’t fit my shoulders into them anymore”, he added.
Elliot comes to the gym five to six days a week having previously barely managed two to three visits a month to the commercial gym he once used. He follows four sessions a week from his personal trainer, but also makes use of the cardboard plans.
Looking for his personal bit of cardboard on the wall, Elliot said: “I don’t think it was a thing he started on purpose, but it became a thing that everyone likes.”
Fabio Baravelle, 31, works remotely as a software engineer. He uses the gym to powerlift for Brazilian JiuJitsu training.
Fabio often films himself, with help from Darrel, and watches back these clips to analyse his form. His use of the gym is meticulously methodical, and demonstrates one end of the spectrum of use members make of the space.
“I keep Darrel busy quite a lot”, Fabio laughs. “Whenever I need support, I either get that from Darrel or the people in the community, and that’s why I really like this gym.”
“One of the main factors of why I come here is the community. Everyone is friendly”, Fabio adds.
Having first made his way through the doors on the advice of the physiotherapist, injured with a dislocated knee, Fabio is now preparing to return to competitive Brazilian JiuJitsu in February.
Memberships are priced at £150 per month, and at a lower rate of £90 per month for students and seniors.
