Stadium Premier Fitness named Gladstone’s best gym |2023

From rugby pro to the gym owner of Gladstone‘s best — and largest — gym of 2023, Stadium Premier Fitness Gladstone, Chris Stolk has teamed up with his brother and childhood friend to bring a city style gym into the region.

A former Manly Sea Eagles rugby player is now the proud owner of Gladstone’s best — and largest — gym of 2023.

Chris Stolk partnered with his brother, Travis and childhood friend Whetu Austin, to bring Stadium Premier Fitness to Gladstone in September 2022, after seeing the success of its first location in Emerald.

“There is definitely a market for it in Gladstone and there’s no gym like it here,” Chris said.

The onsite owner of Stadium Premier Fitness to Gladstone, Chris has been running the gym since it opened its doors in September 2022.

“It’s felt very quick (since the gyms opening), but it’s also been a long haul,” he said.

Whetu runs the sister gym in Emerald whereas Travis — who is based in Brisbane — operates between both gyms.

Owned by brothers, Chris and Travis Stolk, and their childhood friend Whetu Austin, Stadium Premier Fitness Gladstone has gained more than 1000 members since its opening in September last year.

Raised in Emerald, Chris has been passionate about sports and fitness his whole life, actively playing sport since he was around 8, doing martial arts, cricket and rugby.

When he was 18, he moved to Sydney to play rugby professionally for the Manly Sea-Eagles for three years, before relocating to Gladstone when he was 20.

Chris has lived in the region for 13 years now, and is now raising two young children here.

Before opening the gym, he worked in leadership at heavy industrial sites for a company called Clean Away industries.

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“I’m now ingrained in the Gladstone community after being here for the last 13 years,” he said.

Being raised in Emerald, Travis and Whetu opened the first gym to give back to where they grew by bringing a city style gym to the rural town.

“It’s something they deserve but haven’t got until we did it,” Chris said.

While Chris has been in Gladstone for many years, Travis has also spent some time there, they have both grown a connection for the community and wanted to offer the same support that they provided to Emerald by bringing a city gym to this region.

“I have a sense of belonging in Gladstone,” Chris said.

Located at 35 Gladstone Benaraby Rd, Toolooa, Stadium Premier Fitness is the largest gym in Gladstone with 1500 square feet (under roof).

With the highest quality gym equipment you can get, Stadium Premier Fitness is the only Hammer strength certified club in Gladstone, described by Chris as the ‘apple of the phone world’.

An all round gym that aims to cater for all, Stadium Premier Fitness encompasses a 1500 square feet space (under roof), and has more than 1000 members.

Home to a team of 15-20 staff, built up of creche ladies, trainers and sales people, the gym’s objective has been to set the standard for Gladstone, offering state of the art equipment, knowledgeable staff and personalised training.

“Just the sheer size of the gym is something that sets us apart from the rest.”

“We have more than 60 different pieces of equipment, and have invested $50 000 in more equipment which is on it’s way.”

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Gladstone’s fitness scene caters to so many demographics, with BEAST Martial Arts And Fitness Academy coming in close second with 3 per cent between them.

“We are very honoured to have won this competition,” Chris said.

“This year, we have also reached the top five for the Gladstone’s best in the business from the Chamber of Commerce.”