After 18 years working in the hotel industry, Catherina Byrne decided to switch things up a few years ago and pursue her passion for health and fitness.
“I was always into the gym and I used to play camogie as well. One thing I always noticed in hotels is that people were paying for gym memberships but there was no one to guide them on how to do the correct form and range of motion or how the exercise would benefit them,” said Catherina.
During Covid, Catherina invested in a home gym but wasn’t well-versed in how to use all of the equipment correctly. “I discovered that weights are really good for women and men especially as we get older. If you get into lifting weights, it creates muscles on your body which helps burn calories and increase your metabolism which makes you slimmer.
“So I decided to do a course because there are so many people that don’t know about this. For me, speaking from a woman’s point of view, I was always nervous lifting weights because I thought I’d bulk up like pop-eye but that didn’t happen,” said Catherina.
After Covid, Catherina qualified in Nutrition, Personal Training as well as Deep Stretch, which lead to her opening Time 4 Fitness at Gorey Rangers Football Club at the start of October, 2024. After subsequently moving to Unit 5 in Gorey Business Park at the end of January, she says it has really taken off.
“I opened my own studio to let people come in and not be afraid of lifting weights or be intimidated. My big goal for everyone coming in the door here is that the judgement is left outside. Whatever weight you can lift, that’s where we’ll start you from and you will grow,” said Catherina.
After suffering a back injury where she couldn’t train for more than six months, Catherina was inspired to study Deep Stretch which she now also runs classes in at Time 4 Fitness.
Martha Dempsey working out in The new fitness studio Time 4 Fitness in The Gorey Business Park. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
“It’s similar to yoga but it’s much quicker and it really strengthens your muscles. One woman came in and she could barely walk because of her back but if you look at her now, she can’t believe herself. She thought she was going to end up in a wheelchair. Now she comes into me and stands tall and we do a one-on-one deep stretch every Saturday,” said Catherina.
One of Time 4 Fitness’ mantras is that members are not simply signing up for a workout facility, they’re also joining a community dedicated to mutual support and collective improvement.
Catherina’s partner Tom Courtney who has a wealth of experience with an APEX Level 4 personal training certification, UEFA Football Head Coach qualifications, and experience working with elite junior footballers, is also on board as a trainer.
Both Tom and Catherina run men and women group classes as well as one-on-one personal training sessions. “Some women come to me and they’re very nervous. They come to me and say, ‘I haven’t a clue’. I say, firstly don’t be nervous, I was exactly like you at one point. I’m a very comforting and caring person which is an asset in this industry. The training I do builds peoples confidence, not just through losing weight or getting stronger but it makes them more confident in themselves,” said Catherina.
The Eircode for Time 4 Fitness is Y25T0V1.
