From back room beginnings to 4,000 women: Northern Ireland 'dream' fitness studio draws record crowds at new opening
‘I had lost 160lbs by myself and become passionate about health and fitness’: Award-winning ladies gym celebrates decade in business with £30,000 investment and new studio
A Northern Ireland women’s fitness business has marked a major milestone with the opening of a new purpose-built studio in Ballymoney, drawing record crowds and celebrating nearly a decade of growth.
Forge Female Fitness, which holds the titles of UK Ladies Gym of the Year 2025 and NI Gym of the Year 2024, officially opened its new premises at Taggarts Yard on Meetinghouse Street on Saturday.
The launch event attracted more than 170 attendees, with queues stretching beyond the entrance, highlighting the strong community following the business has built since its founding in 2016.
The occasion was attended by Alderman Richard Brown Stewart, Deputy Mayor, who helped formally mark the opening and recognised the importance of the new facility for the local area.
Guests at the event enjoyed refreshments from Swell Coffee and sweet treats from Dougie's Goodies, while 100 branded goodie bags were distributed within the first ten minutes of doors opening.
The ribbon was cut by founder Grace Smith, joined by her mother and brother, who have supported the business since its earliest days.
Forge Female Fitness began in humble surroundings, operating from a 150 square foot room at the back of Grace’s family home. Entirely self-funded, the business has since grown significantly, supporting more than 4,000 women and earning over 100 five-star reviews, alongside a string of national awards.
The move to its new home represents a £30,000 investment and a major step forward for the brand. The studio is twice the size of its previous premises and has been purpose-built to accommodate its expanding membership and coaching team.
Speaking at the launch, Grace reflected on the journey: “Nearly a decade ago I started coaching from a tiny 150 square foot room at the back of my mum's house.
"I had lost 160lbs by myself and become passionate about health and fitness, so I quit my web design job and took a leap of faith to follow my heart, with the aim of helping other women improve their health and wellness.
"To stand in this beautiful new space, surrounded by the community, friends and family, is something I'll never forget. This is the culmination of a decade of work, this space is my dream.”
The new facility has been designed to a high specification, reinforcing the gym’s reputation as a leading women-only coaching space. It includes a custom-built rack and cable system, a private personal training studio for one-to-one sessions, and a welcoming reception and locker area.
A key addition is the InBody 270 body composition scanner, which provides detailed analysis of muscle mass, body fat and overall composition, offering members a more accurate way to track their progress beyond traditional scales.
The opening has already had a strong commercial impact. More than 20 new members signed up on the day to the gym’s six-week Jumpstart Programme, with only a handful of places now remaining.
Forge Female Fitness is led by an all-female coaching team, including Grace, head coach JoJo, nutritionist and mindset coach Sarah, and cardiovascular specialist Eilis. Together, they deliver a fully coached, community-driven environment designed exclusively for women.