New 24/7 gym Driven Athletica opens in Cannonvale

Promising ice baths, a sauna, creche, hyrox sessions and 24-hour access, the newest gym owners in Whitsunday say it’s the members vibe that makes a difference.

Owners of new 24/7 gym in Cannonvale, Driven Athletica, Gabriel and Carina Tamou with their son Raphael. Photo: Contributed

A new 24/7 gym has opened up in Cannonvale providing locals with a different gym experience to what they’ve been used to.

Driven Athletica has taken over the gym space at 8 Galbraith Park Road, Cannonvale promising 24 hour access to state of the art equipment, fitness classes, a creche, and personal training in a welcoming environment.

For owners Gabriel and Carina Tamou the opportunity to purchase the gym came out of the blue.

The couple own a gymwear brand, Driven Gym Apparel, and were in discussions last year with the owners of the gym that occupied the space at the time to do a photo shoot. There, the idea of purchasing the gym was thrown around.

“One thing led to another and a few months down the track, we owned it,” said Ms Tamou.

Upgrades are ongoing at Driven Athletica with plenty of exciting new additions to come. Photo: Contributed

By late October Gabriel and Carina had taken it over and started making it their own.

Now they’ve experienced the “pretty amazing” feeling of their grand opening, Carina said.

“With all the changes that we’ve made to the gym floor and just getting the feedback and seeing the members, it’s been nice because it’s such a good energy,” Ms Tamou said.

The facility now offers a “modern and inspiring” space creating a motivating environment.

Gabriel said it was all about the members, who they see as family, not numbers.

“I think our strength is really saying g’day and getting to know the members,” he said.

“It’s the value the gym space provides for the member, but it goes both ways.”

While they have created the environment it’s the members who give the gym the energy that makes it a space people want to keep coming back to.

“You kind of feed off the energy and inspiration from other athletes within the gym, especially the female market where I feel like the ladies really lead the inspiring aspect when it comes to training,” said Gabriel.

Driven Athletica offer a variety of membership options to suit all gym goers. Photo: Contributed

Carina added it was a like minded community where people could find a stronger, more confident version of themselves.

“You’re going to have other people in your corner who are always there to push you that little bit extra when you’re thinking you can’t do it,” she said.

“There’s always somebody there cheering for you.”

Driven Athletica has members in high school to seniors in their 60s, and welcomes parents by offering a creche service.

While functional and hybrid training sessions run multiple times daily, Carina said many members stick to the 24/7 gym space.

Plans for the future are big with a sauna and ice bath recovery rooms being added within the month and HYROX training beginning next week which Gabriel said is a big niche for the region, and that is just the beginning for Driven Athletica.

Carina and Gabriel encourage anyone interested to get in touch with Driven Athletica as they have plenty on offer including Fitness Passport and lots of different membership options including ones that facilitate unique rosters for miners.

Originally published as New 24/7 gym Driven Athletica opens in Cannonvale