Scotland’s strongest man has lodged plans to convert a former tyre centre in his Easter Ross home town into a new public gym.
Luke Stoltman, who has won the last five national strongman competitions, is working with business partner Stacey Brown on the new project in Invergordon.
The pair, who run Stoltman Strength, will be focusing on incorporating fitness and weights classes and strength training at the gym.
Mr Stoltman is currently working offshore, but Miss Brown said the hope would be to open the facility, in the High Street industrial estate, within the next three months.
The 39-year-old said: “It’s just been a dream for both of us.
“With the classes of girls I teach just now, they all love it and it’s amazing to see them get stronger and more confident.
“Luke has always wanted his own gym as he just wants inspire other people.”
Miss Brown said Mr Stoltman initially asked her about the venture four years ago, and the demand has continued to grow over this time, especially from women and girls.
They currently run classes out of Mr Stoltman’s garage gym at his home near the Kincraig House Hotel, just on the outskirts of the town.
But the pair identified an opportunity when an industrial unit came up for let in Invergordon which had been empty for several months.
The new gym would house equipment such as squat racks and “pull-up rigs,” as well as barbells and dumb bells.
The only other public gym in the town is at the leisure centre.
Miss Brown said the industrial unit is not a big space but that, all going well over the next two years, they may be able to upsize at another site if given the opportunity.
She estimates that monthly memberships would likely be priced at an affordable rate of between £20 and £25.
Miss Brown added: “It will benefit people here massively because it just gets them more confident. A lot of them are saying it has changed their lives.
“Hopefully it can also bring a bit more business to the town if people are coming from other places to use the gym.”
