Club Active: Castle Hill’s gym set up by Chris Hemsworth’s physiologist ‘bans’ Millennials

Chris Hemsworth’s exercise physiologist, Jonathan Freeman, has opened a new gym in Castle Hill but there’s one catch — no Millennials are welcome. Vote in our poll.

A new gym, founded by Chris Hemsworth’s exercise physiologist, is set up for those over 50 and dubbed as an “exclusive new fitness club banning all Millennials, gym junkies and fitness posers” has opened in Castle Hill.

And the move, which aims to improve the health and fitness of Boomers has some Millennials less than thrilled about the idea.

Jonathan Freeman, Club Active’s founder and a trained exercise physiologist, said he created this gym because he noticed a huge gap in the market when it came to exercise spaces targeted towards those older than 50.

“There’s lots of offerings in mainstream fitness, but there’s really no offerings when it comes to the Baby Boomer market,” Mr Freeman said.

“Club Active was born out of a need for those over 50 to exercise in a safe, fun, non-intimidating environment.”

Jonathan Freeman founded Club Active because he noticed a gap in the market.

“As an exercise physiologist, I’ve just seen so many people over 50 who needed help with exercise, but didn’t want to go into a mainstream gym environment because the support wasn’t there.”

Mr Freeman puts many older people’s reluctance to enter gyms down to what he calls “the intimidation factor”.

“The majority of Australians, no matter how old they are, know that exercise is important for them to do … and the biggest barrier to a lot of people walking into a gym is the intimidation (relating) to what, in the past, gyms have always been,” he said.

“We want Club Active to change the way people think about exercise and to change the way people think about going into a gym.”

A husband and wife at Club Active, Castle Hill.

But some Millennials aren’t too keen on the concept of Club Active and have questioned whether it is necessary to set an age limit.

Rebecca Chapman, an accountant who grew up near Castle Hill said she always likes it when people of all ages go to her gym.

“I like it when people have different reasons for attending a gym,” she said.

While Lawrence Rogers, a public servant in his mid-20s, questioned the need for this type of gym.

“I wonder whether it’s age discrimination but I’m not a lawyer,” he said. “I just think there’s no real reason to lock out any age group.”

Lawrence Rogers.

A media alert issued on behalf of Club Fitness said people born after 1970 “need not apply” to join.

“Sydney’s exclusive new fitness club banning all Millennials, gym junkies and fitness posers has opened in Castle Hill and is set to change the way Sydney Boomers view health and fitness,” it read.

But Mr Freeman took a softer tact, saying people are wrong if they think Club Active is discriminating against younger Australians.

“I’m not worried because if you look at (Club Active’s) website, it talks about the over 50s but never says you have to be over 50 to join,” he said.

“We’re very comfortable catering towards the Baby Boomer population … but if you want to exercise at any age, Club Active will be able to help — you just might not be around younger people.”

The gym floor at Club Active.

So far, Mr Freeman has been blown away by the success of Club Active.

He first opened this gym in Tweed Heads and has plans to move into Sydney’s northern beaches after Castle Hill.

“We’re at the forefront of this concept … (too) often in mainstream gyms the support isn’t there — it can just be about harder, faster and more sweaty workouts,” Mr Freeman said.

“We want to help change the way you age … and redefine retirement in Australia.”