About Fitness At The Farm
Here At The Farm, we look at fitness classes a little differently.
With a philosophy to help people develop healthy attitudes towards nutrition and physical activity and to find happiness in their bodies, our community isn’t like what you might find in a conventional gym environment.
Meet Leah
Hello! I’m Leah and I have been running Fitness At The Farm since January 2018.
I have the enormous privilege of living on a beautiful farm in South Oxfordshire which means I have all the space anyone could need to keep active.
I never really loved the gym environment and always found the regimented, rep counting, calorie tracking approach to exercise very unnecessary.
When I qualified as a PT, I knew that I didn’t want to teach in a gym because my personal preference when it comes to movement is to be outside and I wanted to create a safe space for others to experience just that.
I haven’t always been that active and I only really got into exercise in my early 20s. I started to love exercise when I took on the challenge of triathlons, because that was when I started to explore physical activity outside of the gym. Being outside made me feel so much better about what I was doing. I wasn’t monitoring how far or how fast I went, I was just enjoying the exertion. I worked out when I wanted to, because I wanted to and I didn’t want it to ever become a chore again.
Since I started my own business, I haven’t done any organised events. I don’t have the time or inclination for training any more and that’s fine. It’s something I used to love, but I’ve moved on to other ways of movement. I now do a lot more strength training. In a few years time that focus may change again to something else. So long as I can find some way to move my body in a way that excites, challenges and calms me, I’ll be good.
Being active is a joy for me; preparing and eating food is a joy for me; not something that I ever want to relate with feelings of guilt or inadequacy. I am not one of those trainers that you’ll find on instagram posing in unnatural positions with rock hard abs. I am just a woman in her 30s who is finally at peace with her body just as it is. Someone who exercises for fun and because it makes me feel great, not for ‘results’. Someone who eats intuitively, for pleasure and as a way to connect with others.
My aim with my business At The Farm is to help people develop healthy attitudes towards nutrition and physical activity; to find happiness with their bodies at any size; to get outside more and just feel good.
I now work with a great team of independent fitness instructors as well as my full time emotional support coach…Geoffrey.
Meet the team
Geoffrey
Support Coach
Greeter, running partner and emotional support coach at all classes
Leah
Founder/Coach
Farm Circuits, Car Tyre Fitness & Blast classes
Martin
Coach
Blast Classes, Weekend Circuits & Box Fit
Jenny
Coach
The Power Hour, Small Group Training, Weekend Circuits & Personal Training
Lucy
Coach
Farm Circuits, Blast Classes, Buggies At The Farm & Personal Training
Nat
Coach
Blast classes
Colin
Coach
Sunday Specials
Poppy
Mischief Maker
Every class
FAQ’s
Do I need to be fit? Will I keep up?
Our classes are designed so that all levels of fitness can enjoy every class. There is no ‘keeping up’ needed because you are allowed to go at your own pace in your own time. You can take as many breaks as you need. Or you can go heavy and hard if that’s what you are here for. We encourage you to work with your body, to not worry about what anyone else is doing and to ask for help or alternatives as and when you need.
Do I need to book in advance or can I just turn up?
All classes and sauna activities MUST be pre-booked via the website.
You cannot join a class if you have not booked in advance via the website. We do not accept cash and we need to know numbers in advance of each fitness class. Even members who pay a monthly subscription MUST book their space on a class in advance.
Sauna activities get very booked up in advance as we have limited spaces in each session so you need to have a booking in order to enjoy the sauna.
What happens when it rains?
We run classes in all weather apart from excessively strong winds or thunder and lightning. Rain doesn’t stop up getting outside but we do have sheltered areas for when we want to stay dry. We love the outdoors, but even our coaches draw the line at standing in the pouring rain for an hour. The Tipi and The Shed provide plenty of cover for the more extreme wet days.
Do you run classes throughout the winter?
We run classes all year round. In the winter we have flood lights for the early morning and evening classes.
We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather, e.g. in Winter: plenty of layers, waterproof clothing and warm kit for before and after. Also, be aware that the seasons each bring their own hazards. Heat stroke and sun burn are very possible in the summer, whereas slipping in mud is a common hazard in the rainy seasons. Winter can bring extreme cold, ice and other hazards which you want to consider before driving here.
What happens if you have to cancel a class?
Make sure to check the timetable for any cancellations due to bank holidays / bad weather / staff issues. You will not be able to book on to a class if it is cancelled and we will put a notice on the booking system.
Anyone who had already booked will receive an email to notify them and also a text with as much notice as is possible. You will receive a refund or the opportunity to rebook if we are the ones who need to cancel.
If you cancel a booking I’m afraid we cannot offer refunds, and can only rebook if you cancel with more than 48hrs notice.
What do I need to bring?
For Fitness Classes
Comfortable for doing outdoor exercise (you will be outside and may spend some time on the ground so make sure you wear clothes and trainers that you don’t mind getting muddy or scuffed).
Make sure your clothes are appropriate for the season and the weather on the day (e.g. waterproofs if raining, layers and warm gear for winter, shorts for summer etc.)
A water bottle (you can top up here from the tap).
Suncream and insect repellant if needed during the summer months.
For the Sauna Corner
2 Towels - one for sitting on and one for drying after
A water bottle (you can top up here from the tap)
Swimwear (nudity is not permissible anywhere on site)
Flip flops or crocs/sandals as the gravel is hard under foot
Warm clothes for after
Do you have toilets and showers?
Yes there are 2 warm gas powered showers in the sauna corner. There is a changing hut that is just one room with a privacy screen. Anyone is welcome to use these facilities, but be aware that others may also be using them so there may be a wait. The shower cubicles also offer privacy for changing if you would prefer to use them over the communal changing hut.
We have 2 toilets that can be found at the back of the carpark next to the greenhouses.
Can I use the showers after a class or PT session?
Yes, anyone is welcome to use these facilities except during private hire sauna sessions.
Can I bring my child or my dog?
Yes people often bring their children to class. Our waiver and terms and conditions do state that any child, dependent or animal that you bring to the farm is fully your responsibility.
Dogs must be well behaved and be able to get on with other dogs, children and people. If a dog is not well behaved we may ask that you do not bring them again.
Interested in a
membership?
We are fully inclusive and have a plan for everyone
With several membership options that include fitness classes, sauna sessions and dual plans, there’s bound to be something to suit your lifestyle.
