Bolton: New martial arts gym has officially opened

Owner Aaron McDonnell, from Harwood, first opened Prospect Mixed Martial Arts in September 2021 where he set up at Harwood Methodist Church.

Following the success of this Aaron decided to move to a bigger space where he would not have to set up any mats or equipment every time.

He started boxing training at the age of 16, before starting his mixed martial arts training when he was 19.

Aaron worked as a coach alongside his training, mainly doing one-to-one sessions and small groups, before taking that leap to open his business.

He said: “During lockdown we [me and Natalie] got pregnant and had our son Henry.

Aaron and his son Henry (Image: Public)

“And I’ve always wanted my own a facility since starting coaching and when I moved to the area in 2019.

“When I moved to the area in 2019, I was looking for somewhere to do this as it wasn’t ideal travelling to Manchester each day and I wanted my own place.

“It’s been quite hard work but it feels great to reach this stage.”

He has now moved to a unit on Crompton way which has been transformed, and officially opened this month.

The gym is open six days a week from Monday to Saturday, and one-to-one training is also available during evening classes.

Aaron says there is also potential to host more classes further down the line.

He said: “I haven’t let it sink in yet.

“Doing this whilst my wife Natalie has been pregnant and with our two-year-old Henry has been tough, but it’s a nice feeling to be here.

“I had been checking venues for a long time, but there was nothing that was suitable.

“And I was just driving with Henry and trying to get him to sleep when I saw it later.

“I think it was meant to be.”

The new gym is located on the ground floor at 417, Crompton Way, Bolton, BL2 3AE.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.