A CINDERFORD gym owner recently won the Mr England bodybuilding title, following years of training.

Edward Bundy, 37, from Ross-on-Wye had been training for about seven years, and received the award in the classic tall category by the Independent Bodybuilding Fitness Association.

He is the owner of Cinderford’s IronMasters gym, and has a passion for health and fitness. At the beginning of his training, Edward went in with the idea of entering strongman competitions - which includes carrying Atlas stones and deadlifts.

However, following a catastrophic injury during deadlifts which left him hospitalised for about a month, he switched his focus to bodybuilding - which is more focused on isolation exercises.

The switch allowed him to continue training and get what he wanted from his workouts, but in a much safer way, and his hard work paid off with a trophy to showcase at his Cinderford gym.

Edward owes his success to his wife and two-year-old daughter.

He said: “Without them I could not have achieved any of it. Without my wife especially, IronMasters could not have achieved its current success, let alone myself realising my own potential.

“A strong family unit has provided me with a base. a retreat where I could grow my ideas with full support from the people most dear to me. Even if it was my daughter showing me her ‘swans’ at breakfast, or my wife providing anything from financial support to emotional support.”

Edward was inspired into his passion for the sport by his father who was an avid gymgoer in Ross-on-Wye. When growing up, he would watch strongman competitions and admired the work of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Following his Mr England win, Edward now wants to invest further into Cinderford. He recently acquired the unit directly across the road from the current gym, effectively doubling its space and parking.

The original IronMasters site will become IronMasters Strength and Power Centre, focused on bodybuilding, powerlifting and serious strength training. The new unit will become IronMasters Performance and Endurance Centre, designed for functional fitness, endurance-style training, classes and athletic conditioning.

Edward’s goal is to make Cinderford the beating heart of strength, fitness and performance in the Forest of Dean. He said the gym welcomes new members, and it’s not as intimating as some may think. The gym is focused on member retention, keeping people on their fitness path, and achieving their goals.

What’s more, Edward explained the gym’s expansion won’t be the end, with plans to grow even further.

Edward said: “The larger plan is to have local gyms like this up and down the country where it’s the same ethos; you know the owner, if there’s issues we can help you. You’re not dealing with a business, you’re dealing with a person. IronMasters is going to continue to grow and continue to be non-for-profit.”

Gyms like this may be extremely beneficial to local communities. As Edward explained, health and fitness is very important and it’s great to see younger people choosing the gym over drinking alcohol.

You can find IronMasters Gym on Foxes Bridge Road. More information about the gym can be found via the website or via social media.