Clare Everest – Building a Community Through Fitness

Nestled in the heart of Southam, Everest Fitness is more than just a gym—it’s a welcoming community hub where people of all ages and fitness levels come together. At the helm is Clare Everest, a Southam resident for over 30 years, whose passion for health and wellbeing has shaped the centre into what it is today.

Clare grew up in nearby Harbury and attended school in Southam, where she recalls a time when fitness wasn’t widely recognised as a structured discipline. Back then, it was simply ‘sport,’ and PE was often dismissed as less important. However, Clare always loved pushing herself physically and knew fitness would play a central role in her life.

Her career in health and fitness spans years of experience managing high-profile health clubs. Clare has helped refine and improve well-known establishments, including St. Nicks, Virgin in Rugby, and Walton Hall Health Spa. She has also trained personal trainers, always eager to share her knowledge and skills. But the dream was always to create her own fitness centre—one that was integrated into the local community rather than set apart in an industrial estate.

That dream became a reality in October 2019 when Clare opened Everest Fitness, transforming a former bar into a fully refurbished wellbeing space. Just months later, the arrival of Covid-19 presented an unexpected challenge for such a new and socially focused business. Even as restrictions eased, people remained cautious about group settings. Determined to keep her community connected, Clare introduced Zoom fitness sessions, which have continued to be popular even today.

Everest Fitness is designed to offer something for everyone. Mums pop in after school drop-off, older adults enjoy yoga sessions, and many visit simply for a coffee and a chat in the café. Beyond fitness classes, the centre boasts a treatment room, a nail salon, and a space for various holistic therapies. The treatment room is rented out to practitioners offering services like chiropractic care and hypnotherapy, while Clare herself provides sports massage therapy.

Running her own business means Clare wears many hats—whether leading classes, managing treatments, or overseeing daily operations. She works six days a week, reserving Sundays to recharge. Her goal is to ensure Everest Fitness is seen as more than just a place to exercise—it’s a wellbeing centre where everyone feels welcome, supported, and encouraged.

Looking ahead, Clare is eager to make even greater use of the fitness space during afternoons and weekends. She’s exploring new opportunities such as martial arts, dance classes, and even using the area as a meeting space—all with the aim of growing and strengthening the Everest Fitness community.

For Clare, fitness isn’t just about being in peak physical shape—it’s about wellbeing, connection, and making people smile. And that’s exactly what she’s built at Everest Fitness: a place where people can feel at home, whatever their fitness journey may be.