How a 10-Year Dream Became a New Chapter for One of Coventry’s Oldest Gyms

For more than a decade, Tamara “Tammie” Tirzite dreamed of owning her own gym. When the opportunity arose to take over Capitol Gym, a much-loved Coventry fitness institution approaching 40 years in business, CWRT provided a £150,000 loan to help make her ambition a reality.

As a member of the National Enterprise Network (NEN), CWRT is proud to share success stories that demonstrate the difference access to finance and ongoing business support can make to entrepreneurs, established businesses and local communities.

Tammie’s journey is a great example of how the right support can help turn a long-held ambition into reality, breathe new life into a longstanding local business and create opportunities for the future.

Tamara “Tammie” Tirzite, owner of Capitol Gym in Coventry.

 

A 10-Year Dream and Nearly 40 Years of History

Tammie had wanted to own a gym for more than 10 years. As a personal trainer with a passion for fitness, business ownership was an ambition she had always hoped to achieve. However, she never imagined that the opportunity would involve taking the reins of one of Coventry’s longest-standing gyms.

Capitol Gym has been part of the city’s fitness community for almost four decades, building a loyal membership and becoming a familiar fixture in the local area.

When the opportunity to acquire the business arose, Tammie needed funding to take the next step. CWRT provided a £150,000 loan, enabling her to complete the acquisition and begin putting her plans for the future into action.

“I’ve wanted to own a gym for over 10 years. I just never in my wildest dreams expected it to be one of the oldest gyms in Coventry. It has such a colourful history and is considered a loved fixture in the community.”

For Tammie, taking ownership was about more than purchasing an established business. It was an opportunity to build on Capitol Gym’s history, introduce her own ideas and help secure its future for the people who depend on it.

Her ambitions also extend beyond running a successful gym. She is passionate about encouraging more people to become physically active, helping tackle the health challenges associated with inactive lifestyles and creating a positive environment where younger people can train, develop their confidence and become part of a community.

With CWRT’s funding in place, Tammie could begin turning those ambitions into a plan for Capitol Gym’s next chapter.

Making the Opportunity Possible

Despite dreaming about owning a gym for years, Tammie was unsure whether she would be able to secure the level of finance needed to acquire an established business.

As a personal trainer, she had concerns about whether a lender would be willing to look beyond her existing income and recognise the potential of the opportunity in front of her.

What she needed was a lender prepared to understand her experience, listen to her plans and consider the wider potential of both the business and its future owner.

She also needed access to funding within the required timeframe, with clear repayment terms that would help her plan confidently as she moved into business ownership.

This was where CWRT was able to help.

By taking the time to understand Tammie’s circumstances and ambitions, CWRT was able to support her in taking a significant step towards a dream she had held onto for more than a decade.

How CWRT Supported Tammie

Tammie had not worked with CWRT before and, throughout the funding application process, worked closely with CWRT Loans Officer Alexander.

Alexander took the time to understand Tammie’s background, her experience in the fitness industry and what she wanted to achieve with Capitol Gym. Working alongside the wider CWRT team, he considered the opportunity as a whole, looking at Tammie’s plans and the potential of a business that had been part of the Coventry community for decades.

CWRT’s £150,000 loan enabled Tammie to complete the acquisition and make the transition from personal trainer to business owner.

However, the support did not end once the funding had been provided.

Tammie particularly valued the personal approach she received throughout the application process. That relationship-focused support has continued through CWRT’s post-loan business support, with Rob, CWRT Commercial Relationship Manager, helping her navigate the realities of running and developing her business.

“The support given when applying for the loan made CWRT different. I’m also receiving business aftercare support now from Rob, CWRT Commercial Relationship Manager.”

For CWRT, this ongoing relationship is an important part of supporting business owners. Access to finance can help make an opportunity possible, but having someone to turn to as a business develops can also be valuable.

Tammie’s experience demonstrates CWRT’s commitment to looking beyond the initial funding decision and building relationships that continue to support businesses as they grow and evolve.

As a member of the National Enterprise Network, CWRT is pleased to share examples of the difference this kind of support can make to entrepreneurs and the businesses at the heart of their communities.

Breathing New Life into Capitol Gym

With the acquisition complete, Tammie can now focus on the part she had imagined for more than a decade: owning her own gym and developing it for the future.

Her takeover represents a new chapter for a longstanding Coventry business, providing an opportunity to build on Capitol Gym’s established reputation while introducing fresh ideas and continuing to serve its members.

Tammie wants to create an environment where people can improve their fitness, access advice and work towards their personal goals, while preserving the character and history that have made Capitol Gym such a valued part of the local community.

She also sees the gym as an opportunity to make a wider positive difference, encouraging healthier lifestyles and providing a welcoming space where people can connect, develop and feel supported.

As Tammie explains:

“It’s given me the opportunity to do something good in the local community and to build on a dream.”

Her ambition is to ensure Capitol Gym remains a place where people of different backgrounds and abilities can pursue their fitness goals and feel part of something bigger than themselves.

By taking ownership, Tammie is building on nearly 40 years of history while working towards a future shaped by her own passion for fitness, wellbeing and community.

Walking the Walk: Becoming an IFBB Pro

Alongside taking on the challenge of business ownership, Tammie has achieved a significant personal milestone: earning her IFBB Pro status.

For Tammie, her personal fitness journey and her role as a gym owner are closely connected. Owning Capitol Gym has given her even greater motivation to push herself, continue developing her skills and lead by example.

She believes that encouraging others to exercise and improve their health comes with a responsibility to demonstrate that same commitment herself.

“I don’t just see the gym as a money making scheme. I see it as an opportunity to help members and give exercise advice. I wouldn’t be a good advocate of that if I wasn’t walking the walk myself.”

Achieving professional status while taking on the responsibilities of running a gym reflects the determination Tammie brings to both her personal and professional ambitions.

She is not simply building a fitness business; she is an active part of the community she wants to create. By training, sharing her experience and supporting members, she hopes to inspire others to recognise what dedication and working towards a goal can achieve.

Her IFBB Pro achievement is another milestone in a journey defined by ambition, perseverance and a commitment to helping others.

The Bigger Picture: Supporting Local Business Success

Tammie’s story began with a dream she had held onto for more than 10 years. Today, she is the owner of a gym approaching four decades at the heart of Coventry’s fitness community, with the opportunity to shape its future and continue making a positive contribution to local life.

With CWRT’s £150,000 loan, Tammie was able to acquire Capitol Gym and take the next step in her career. She has since achieved IFBB Pro status and continues to champion fitness, wellbeing and the importance of community.

For Capitol Gym, the acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter in a story that started almost 40 years ago.

For Tammie, it is the opportunity to build something of her own while helping others work towards their goals.

And for CWRT, it demonstrates why understanding the person behind a business matters.

As a member of the National Enterprise Network (NEN), CWRT is proud to share stories that highlight the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and helping businesses access the finance and guidance they need to move forward.

Every business has its own story, ambitions and challenges. Sometimes, a funding application represents much more than a set of figures. It represents an opportunity that might otherwise remain out of reach, a dream waiting to become reality and the potential to make a lasting difference in a local community.

Tammie’s journey is a reminder of what can happen when ambition meets opportunity and the right support helps turn a vision into action.

Find Out More About Capitol Gym

Discover more about Tammie and her journey:

• Website: www.capitolgym.co.uk
• Instagram: @capitolgym
• Facebook: Capitol Gym
• Tammie’s Instagram: @tammiefitness