VFC
Half Way There; June at Valesco
July 2025
Hey Team,
Welcome to the June edition of the Valesco Newsletter, yes thats right now half way through the year and still lots to come in the world of Valesco. So settle back and take 5 minutes to have a read.
June was all about ATHX takeovers, SIU and another successful run club. On Saturday 7th June the ATHX team took over at St Philips and it was really well attended and enjoyed by everyone who came in to play. We are working to schedule a date (October has been mentioned) for them to come and take over the Brislington site completing the Valesco ATHX hat trick. So do watch this space Brislington members and anyone wanting to get involved from other sites, should space allow.
The June RunClub took our to the fields and nature around Keynsham and looking at those smiles a great time was had by all. We love getting the Valesco Community out and about outside the gym and do remember that Run Club is open to all with distances and paces to suit everyone. We would love to see as many of you as possible involved in the July edition - date TBC
On Saturday 14th June we held our final Scale It Up event, Triple Threat hosted at Valesco Brislington and it was a great day with lots of home teams and a few Valesco faces appearing on that podium. It was so nice to host this final SIU event and have so many members involved. We have been running SIU's for the best part of 8 years and they have created some great memories and helped us grow the gym and community, however we have decided to retire them for the future but will be putting in place more in-house comps and potential RX competitions to take their place in due course. Watch this space for 2026.
So that was June....what's coming up I hear you ask?
Saturday 12th July - PRIDE!! Need we say more!! A Valesco we love celebrating every single person in our community and PRIDE gives us just the chance to do that! There will be PRIDE themed Team WOD's at each of the three sites and will be hitting the streets of Bristol to take part in the parade as usual. The theme this year is Minion and we would love to see as many of you as possible in yellow t-shirts and dungarees to help us really stand out. Everyone is welcome to march with us and this year it feels more important than ever! It tells every LGBTQIA+ person watching, and those marching beside you, that they are not alone. It shows them they are seen, valued, and supported not just by their community, but by people who choose to stand with them.
Your presence sends a powerful message: that Pride isn’t just a party - it’s a protest, a celebration, and a declaration that everyone deserves to live and love openly, safely, and proudly. Either meet at St Philips at 0915 or Castle Park at 0945. Yellow and Blue balloons are free to anyone who wants them.
Sunday 17th August - Legends Taster Class. We want to get everyone to see the benefits of strength training including those over 60 years old. From mid August we will be introducing a Legends Class at 10:30am on Wednesdays that is specially designed for those over 60 to come and find the benefits of resistance training.Before starting we will be holding a taster day on 17th August at 10.30am and we would love you to bring your over 60 inner circle (parents, grandparents, neighbours, friends) to come and try it out. An email went out last week with full details and the workshop is now bookable on WODboard so please do check it out as we would love to have as many of you as possible getting your inner circle involved and showing them just how accessible what we do is.
Saturday 6th September - Valesco turns 10!!! Can you believe it? 10 years of Valesco and we want to celebrate with you all with a day festival and it's going to be epic. Please get yourself signed up at the gym for £20 per adult with under 16 going free. It's a day festival with overnight camping, of which you can pitch a tent yourself for free or show an interest in a fully furnished bell tent supplied by the wonderful Tinker Bell Tent company for as little as £25 each based on 4 sharing. We know what we will be doing, thanks Kate! The line up is going to be released soon and is looking absolutely cracking. We have bands, Comedy, DJ's and much more...it's honestly not to be missed. There are only 100 tickets per site available and with over 700 members and friends and families all invited they are likely to sell out very soon. If you have plans, you're going to want to change them!
Don't forget the Heatwave Hustle starts on Monday 14th July - get out the comms in your inboxes about it and get your names up ASAP to be involved in the 7 weeks of fun and consistency.
Big Love,
Team Valesco xx
Welcome to the monthly Member Shout out section where we like to celebrate some of the good things we see in the gym day in and day out.
Coach Hamish - A big shout out to Georgina Wordsworth at V2! Having only recently started attending classes after completing the learn to lift course, Georgina has thrown herself into every class with a beaming smile to boot. She’s embraced the training, learnt new movements and I’ve seen improvements in her performance and confidence week by week! Just a pleasure to coach
Coach James - I want to shout out Billy Hordle. He’s super humble, very personable, has really thrown himself into training in a new way, and it’s fun to see the progress and excitement it’s bringing! He’s keen to learn, asks good questions, listens to everyone’s advice and is progressing quickly as a result. He was quick to learn things like Handstand Pushups and has taken his first few steps handstand walking, as well as getting his first banded bar muscle-ups in the last few weeks alone! Nice work lad!
Coach Ellie - George Hounsome & Alex Higlett from V1! Now 8am regulars, they got stuck in from day 1! They’re great fun to have in class, they’re keen to learn & take coaching cues really well. Having only been with us a few months, George & Alex are already a big part of the community bringing great chat and smiles to every session. Thanks for entrusting us with your training - we love having you at Valesco!
Coach Leila - Can I shout out Karl Venn please. For always bringing the big biceps to flex. Showing the young guns how it is done and Casually bashing out a 135kg bench press.
Coach Rox - I would like to shout out Ola Paprocka from v1 for the great progress she is making with her squats. Through her consistency and effort, her squat form has improved massively since the previous block!
Coach Will - Izzy Colebrook from V1 - I remember finally persuading her to join the Wednesday weightlifting gang and now she’s a regular! Her technique has come on so much in a pretty short time and she’s just a pleasure to have in class
Coach Claudia - shoutout to Jen Stewart V3, who's always a regular on my Wednesday mornings and went from 0 to TTB in wods! Such great and mental strength.
Coach Amy - This month my members shoutout goes to V1 member Ollie Hitchings. Ollie joined us a couple of months ago and has already become a solid part of the Valesco community as a regular at the 6am class. Ollie goes out of his way to make friends with other members, talks to everyone and is a pleasure to have in class. Ollie is super coachable, always asking for feedback and puts 110% effort into every class. It's been awesome to have you join us Ollie. He also has hit a sneaky WWIB!
Summer Sweat Reminders
Stay Hydrated!
Summer heat = extra sweat! Bring a water bottle and take frequent sips to keep your energy up and your body cool.
Clean Up After Use
Wipe down all equipment after use—no one wants to sit in someone else’s summer sweat! Disinfectant spray & wipes are provided at the cleaning stations, ask the coach if you can't find them.
Bring a Towel
A towel’s your best friend during summer sessions. Keep yourself and our benches dry!
Cool Down Smart
Don’t skip your cool-down—especially in the heat. Your body will thank you later.
Dress Light & Right
Wear breathable, moisture-wicking clothes to beat the heat and stay comfortable during your workout.
Freshen Up
Quick rinse? Our showers are here for you—stay fresh post-sweat.
Specialty Classes Update – Week 6 and Going Strong!
Hi team this is coach Raf and I’m here to give you a quick update on our specialty classes.
We’re officially halfway through our 12-week specialty block—and it’s been epic so far! Whether you're chasing strength goals, mastering gymnastics, prepping for HYROX, or just love a good Sunday sweat, our specialty classes have something for everyone. Here's the lowdown on what’s happening in each class and why you don’t want to miss out:
Olympic Weightlifting
Our weightlifting sessions are your dedicated space to dial in clean & jerk and snatch—the holy grail of barbell work. With two separate classes each week, there’s time to slow things down, build strength, and fine-tune technique. Whether you're just learning the ropes or refining your form for a comp, these sessions are all about moving well and lifting better.
Gymnastics
We’ve split our gymnastics focus into two powerful sessions:
Strict Pull-Up Strength + Bar Muscle Ups
Handstand Push-Up Strength + Handstand Walk
These aren’t just party tricks—they’re full-body strength builders that improve control, coordination, and confidence. Whether you're getting your first strict pull-up or linking bar muscle-ups like a ninja, these classes are structured to help you progress week by week.
HYROX Training (Brislington -V3)
HYROX is booming at our Brislington location—and we’re not slowing down. Catch us on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for race-focused workouts that blend strength, conditioning, and technique. Think sled pushes, wall balls, running, and all the grit you’ll need to crush race day. Every session is a sweaty, intense, and rewarding grind—perfect whether you're a first-timer or chasing a PB.
Sunday Sweat
End (or start!) your week with a bang. Sunday Sweat is a 45-minute cardio crusher designed to get your heart rate up and your endorphins flowing. Simple movements, spicy intensity, and feel-good vibes—this class is your go-to for a high-energy workout with zero fuss.
Ready to jump in?
These sessions are here to challenge you, support your goals, and bring some serious fun to your training. Let’s keep building momentum into Week 6 and beyond. See you in class!
Consistency can be hard. Getting back to consistency after time off can be even harder. Maybe you’ve been suffering from illness or injury, work has gotten in the way & or you’re just struggling with motivation & the gym has taken a back seat.
There are some things you can do to make the process easier:
Pick one day a week & stick to it -
Commit to that one day for a couple of weeks, then add another & repeat until you’re back into routine. Remember once a week is better than none!
Choose a class you will enjoy -
We don’t encourage cherry picking generally, however when you’re not feeling motivated doing something you don’t like is probably not going to happen!
Talk to your coaches! -
We can help you scale, adapt & modify if needed to make the class work for you whilst you return.
Scale, scale, scale -
If you haven’t worked out for a while, especially if you’ve been ill or injured, you should be scaling the workout. Going full pelt in a WOD when you haven’t trained for weeks or even months is a recipe for being so sore you don’t want to come back!
Be Sociable -
Get into a class just to see people or attend a run club! Arrange to go for coffee or a drink with your gym friends after a class.
Most importantly remember that you’re not alone, your coaches & fellow members are here as a community to support you as you return to the gym. If you’re struggling, talk to us!
Coach Bella
Who wore it better?
Sun’s out, style’s out! Grey bra, black shorts – an all-time classic! Both crushed the look and the class!
We love to see these so if you sopot some twinning going on in your class, snap it and send it in.
Sweet, Spicy Thai-Style Prawns
This quick and fiery stir-fry combines juicy prawns, sweet pineapple, and a bold chilli-lime paste for a perfect balance of heat and tang. Fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavour – serve it in a pineapple shell for extra flair! Fancy!
Train Smarter. Feel Stronger. Know Your Health.
We’re excited to announce our new collaboration with Mango Medical – bringing professional, CQC-registered health checks directly to our Valesco community.
Led by Advanced Nurse Practitioner James Singh, these quick, expert-led checks are tailored for those who train hard, push limits, and want to stay in peak condition.
What’s Included:
Resting heart rate & pulse rhythm
Lung function & oxygen levels
Body composition (BMI)
In-depth blood testing (optional)
Personalised health report
Prices from just £39
Real Expertise
James works on the front lines of the NHS and brings a proactive, no-nonsense approach to helping you take control of your health.
Where: On-site at Valesco St Philips
When: 30 minutes appointments available to book NOW
Book your health check today: info@mangomedical.co.uk
INTRODUCING THE HEATWAVE HUSTLE AT VALESCO.
We know that staying consistent across the summer can be a challenge so we thought that we would bring to you the Valesco Heatwave Hustle starting on Monday 14 July.
So what is it I hear you ask?
We are encouraging you to stay consistent this summer by attending 3 classes sessions per week for 6 out of 7 weeks over the summer. Anyone who has attended at least three sessions per week for 6 weeks or more will be entered into the prize draw.
The prize is well worth winning - a £150 voucher to be used for The Pig near Bath or Hotel Du Vin (of your choice) for each site!
THE RULES;
Three sessions are to be done in one week with one 7 day period allowed (to cover a week's holiday for example) . It's not a total roll up of sessions as we do not want to encourage overtraining, we want to encourage consistency.
The week is counted as Monday to Sunday
You are responsible for marking off the sessions on the posters displayed in each gym (to be up next week) and any winning entries into the draw will be checked via wodboard.
Classes only - open gym sessions are not included.
TIMELINES:
The challenge will be run between Monday 14th July until Sunday 30th August
Sign up by the end of the first week to get involved
Super excited to bring this summer challenge to you and any questions please send them to your gym inbox who will only be too happy to help.
Lets get hustling,
Team Valesco xx
