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Four CrossFit fanatics come together to open their own gym

By Matthew Hancock-Bruce   21st Dec 2025

The owners of CrossFit Lightning Bolt (Credit: Chelsea Shoesmith Photography)
The owners of CrossFit Lightning Bolt (Credit: Chelsea Shoesmith Photography)

Four fitness fanatics have come together to set up their own gym.

CrossFit Lightning Bolt will officially open its doors in the New Year.

It is the brainchild of Chelsea Shoesmith, Grahame Williams, Sarah Geary and Lucy Ward.

Chelsea said: "We all love CrossFit and wanted a place to train together here in Macclesfield, and that is where the seed for CrossFit Lightning Bolt was planted.

"With community and inclusivity being our main values, we truly believe that we can create an environment that Macclesfield will love just as much as we do.

"We want to celebrate everybody who steps through the door, be it their first time or their 1000th time.

"Helping our members achieve their CrossFit goals is what motivates us and community is what drives us."

Grahame, Sarah, Lucy and Chelsea (Credit: Chelsea Shoesmith Photography)

CrossFit is a fitness programme that blends weightlifting, gymnastics, and metabolic conditioning into varied daily workouts to build broad fitness. 

Lightning Bolt takes over Unit 8 at Fence Avenue Industrial Estate, a space previously occupied by Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Trust.

After receiving the keys, Grahame, Chelsea, Sarah and Lucy spent four weeks renovating the site.

Chelsea said: "We are really pleased with how we have transformed the place. 

"We have put a lot of care and attention into planning every detail and the kind comments from everyone who has stepped through the door have been very encouraging and made all of the efforts even more worthwhile."

CrossFit Lightning Bolt is located at Fence Avenue Industrial Estate (Credit: Chelsea Shoesmith Photography)

In December, the gym opened its doors to a limited number of VIP members as a way of thanking them for their support.

It will officially open on Monday, January 5.

Once up and running, Lightning Bolt will have five trained CrossFit coaches and a varied schedule of sessions.

The gym officially opens on January 5 (Credit: Chelsea Shoesmith Photography)

Chelsea added: "There is something for everyone whether you prefer early mornings, afternoons or evenings.

"It is so nice to see our community building already, we are very excited for what is to come with CrossFit Lightning Bolt and have lots of plans to roll out in the future.

"We are so happy to have this space in Macclesfield where people can make friends, get fitter and stronger."

Four of the five coaches at CrossFit Lightning Bolt (Credit: Chelsea Shoesmith Photography)

     

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