ConFit: A Sydney gym run by ex-cons: ‘we hit rock bottom and used fitness to turn our lives around’

A Sydney gym set to open is run by ex-prisoners, who have used fitness to turn their lives, and the lives of others around, with a particular focus on young people who've hot rock bottom.

Former convict Joe Kwon is opening ConFit Gym in Parramatta. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

A gym run by ex cons – all trainers at the new ConFit Gym in Parramatta have served time in prison.

The brainchild of Joe Kwon, who spent nine years in jail for directing a criminal enterprise and for the supply of large commercial quantities of MDMA, ConFit is not about taking on the big fitness chains but providing a fresh start.

Former prisoner Joe Kwon is opening ConFit Gym in Parramatta, which employs all ex-cons and is targeted at people coming out of the justice system, particularly youth. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“All of our trainers have hit rock bottom in their lives and they have found redemption through fitness,” Kwon explained. “That is what makes us so special as coaches, because we have got that lived experience of hitting rock bottom and using fitness to turn our lives around and we are teaching others in society how to do that.”

It is hard, Kwon added, for those that have served time in prison to get their lives back on track and that includes finding legitimate work.

“So many individuals come out of the system that want to make a positive change for themselves and they want to clean their hands but if society doesn’t provide opportunities for these individuals, how are they going to change when the only thing they know in their lives is crime?” Kwon said

“We are creating an inclusive community. The public has this perception that inmates are bad people but all of our trainers are transparent and they have a story to tell.”

ConFit Gym is a social enterprise with revenue raised from gym memberships going to youth mentorship programs across NSW.

“I am not saying that everyone coming out of jail is perfect,” Kwon said.

“But we are here to support those that are here to make that change and to provide that second chance. We are just using fitness as a vehicle, as a platform, to be able to spread our mission and to create social impact, to help those that are disadvantaged, reduce recidivism rates.

“I am not saying we are going to have a massive impact but we are doing our part through what we know how to do best.”

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