CFUF Gym on Bark Street is our Bolton News Best Gym 2026.
The gym, which has been in town for 11 years, has gone from strength to strength, growing through word of mouth.
Now, The Bolton News readers have decided that it is their best gym out of the 10 finalists.
Owner Mark Parkinson said: “It was a complete surprise. I know all of the other gyms, some of them really well.
Owner, Mark Parkinson, with the award (Image: Newsquest)
“It was a big surprise, because we had such good competition. But we do what we do to the best of our ability and have the best product out there.”
The gym, which is based in Bolton Lads and Girls Club’s former home, specialises in functional fitness.
It doesn’t have weight machines, instead concentrating on free weights, bar bells, dumbbells, kettle bells, calisthenics, gymnastics and so on.
To find out more about CFUF, see their website here: https://www.unique-fitness.co.uk/
Mark added: “We couldn’t be happier. Because we are on the first floor, we don’t have that shop front like other gyms do, so people can’t walk past and see in.
A town centre gym has been voted the best in Bolton (Image: CFUF)
“So we rely on word of mouth and people saying about the good work we do, and this is a testament to all the work we do.
“People say that the work we do is worthwhile, life-changing, and deserving of publicity and winning awards, as well as being talked about by the wider public.”
He gave thanks, adding: “Thank you to every member, past and present, for loving the place and talking about the benefits we bring.
“Thank you to The Bolton News for doing something like this, promoting small businesses that are doing something for health and wellbeing.”
