Apex Plaza, Forbury Road · 2 minutes from Reading station
The coached gymin Readingtown centre.
Small group training about four to a coach, personal training and a 6 Week Programme, two minutes from the station. Every session coached. From the gym floor to the top of mountains.
- The gym for people who want more than access
- Reading town centre
- From the gym floor to the top of mountains
- Every session coached
- Apex, Forbury Road
- Shen D.October 2026
Unleashed Performance at Reading is the best gym experience I've had in my life. I'm 49 and have been training almost all of it, so that's not said lightly. Tanya and James are brilliant. They encourage you, keep you accountable and help you finish what you start.
- Ishani GargOctober 2026
As someone who was completely new to the gym and had little idea where to start, the friendly, welcoming and supportive atmosphere made it so much easier to settle in. My personal training sessions with James have been incredibly patient, knowledgeable, supportive and motivating.
- Ewa SluzalekSeptember 2026
By far the best gym experience I have ever had! As someone who has always felt quite intimidated by regular gyms and overwhelmed by all the machines, I was looking for somewhere with more guidance and support. Unleashed Performance is exactly that and honestly so much more.
- Yasmeen RahmanAugust 2026
I came to Unleashed Performance as a complete beginner to strength training and quite honestly a little intimidated where to start. I started out pre diabetic with various red flags. My doc has given me a clean bill of health. UP Team played a huge part in that!
- Wilma SNovember 2025
I lived next to this gym for a year before signing up, as I was hesitant about nicer gyms feeling too intense and me sticking out like a sore thumb as a complete beginner. Now I can't imagine not being a member anymore, the value you get for your money is immense.
- Nishanth ReddyAugust 2026
The workout programme changes every 8 weeks, keeping things fresh and challenging. Great mix of strength, HIIT, hybrid, endurance and yoga, with training that helps you improve both strength and stamina, whether for Hyrox, a marathon, or your own fitness goals.
- James BroomfieldAugust 2026
I've been going now for 18 months, a record length of time I've stayed at a gym. This is as a result of the excellent training, great facilities and warm and friendly trainers. The gym also runs frequent social activities which are welcomed as well.
- Lee MurraySeptember 2025
The extra bonus for me are the additional walking and trekking trips which Unleashed organise. Combining gym work with these outdoor activities provides me with a lifestyle experience I haven't been able to find before.
- Garry HigleyAugust 2026
The coached only group classes push you to work hard while making sure your technique stays on point. Since joining, I've made real progress and genuinely feel stronger, fitter, and more confident.
- Hernan PereyraAugust 2025
I really enjoy the group exercise sessions because it feels like having a personal trainer with you. The coaches also check in with you regularly about your progress and goals, which is really encouraging.
Copied from Google. Leave a review
4.9 from 79 Google reviews
What this is
Every session here is coached.
Unleashed Performance is a coached gym in Reading at Apex Plaza on Forbury Road, two minutes from the mainline station. Every session follows a written programme with a coach on the floor, about four people to each coach. You are never left guessing what to do.
The gym is run by James Parker, a former British Army Physical Training Instructor who has been coaching in Reading since 2006. Your programme changes every eight weeks and your InBody numbers are checked every four. Members train for things together, from the National 3 Peaks to a first 5K.
What we do
Four ways to train with us.
Ask about any of them on WhatsApp and James will send you the options the same day. There is no joining fee.
01 · Membership
Coached group training
Nine sessions a day from 6am to 8pm, each one run by a coach. Strength, HIIT, Reshape, Hybrid, Team Unleashed and yoga. The programme changes every eight weeks.
02 · One to one
Personal training
One coach, one plan, sessions booked around your week. Mornings before work, lunchtimes or evenings.
03 · Six weeks
The 6 Week Programme
Six weeks of coached training, an InBody scan at the start and the end, nutrition targets, and half your money back if you turn up for 15 sessions.
04 · Twelve weeks
Body transformation
Twelve weeks one to one with your own coach. Training and nutrition written for you, a check in every week and your coach on WhatsApp in between.
How to start
How to get started.
A look round and a chat with James. Twenty minutes, no session, no pressure.
- 01
Book a free intro
Twenty minutes at Apex with James. A look round the gym, a chat about what you want to achieve, and a straight answer on which programme suits you. There is no workout and no hard sell.
- 02
Start with OnRamp
Four one to one sessions with a coach before you join a group. You learn the main lifts properly and we get to know your history and your goals.
- 03
Train with your coach and your team
Then you pick from nine coached sessions a day. Your InBody is checked every four weeks and your programme changes every eight.
On the wall
What members say.
4.9 from 79 Google reviews
"The best gym experience I've had in my life. I'm 49."
Shen D., Google
"Different league to your standard gym."
Josh Jones, Google
"It feels like having a personal trainer with you."
Hernan Pereyra, Google
"A record length of time I've stayed at a gym."
James Broomfield, Google
"The best thing about Reading."
Lynda King, Google
Copied from Google and trimmed for length.
Beyond the floor
From the gym floor to the top of mountains.
In June 2026 twelve members did the National 3 Peaks together. We run hikes in the Brecon Beacons and on the coast, socials and games nights. People join for the training and stay for the people.
Who coaches you
James and the coaching team.
Owner and head coach
James Parker
James was a Physical Training Instructor in the British Army before he started coaching in Reading in 2006. Progressive Fitness became Unleashed Performance in 2020 with his business partner Tony Doherty, and the gym moved to Apex on Forbury Road in November 2024.
He has coached for twenty years and run gyms for more than twelve, from some of the first boot camps in Berkshire to headline sponsor of the Reading Half Marathon from 2020 to 2023. He still does every free intro himself.
Coach
Tanya
Named in more Google reviews than anyone. "Shout out to Tanya who always makes tough Friday sessions super fun."
Coach
Emma
"Emma and Tanya were fantastic coaches. They know their stuff and they are attentive and welcoming." Google, October 2026.
Every session
The UP coaching team
Nine sessions a day takes a team. Every coach is qualified, knows your name and has read your InBody numbers before your next block is written.
Questions
What people ask before they come in.
I haven't trained in years, or ever. Is this for me?
Yes. Most of our members walked in as beginners or after a long break. Every new member starts with OnRamp, four one to one sessions with a coach, so you know the movements before you join a group. In the group there are about four people to each coach.
How much does it cost?
Message James on WhatsApp with what you are thinking about and he will send you the options the same day. There is no joining fee.
What is a free intro? Is it a trial class?
It is a tour and a chat, about twenty minutes with James or one of the coaches. You see the gym, talk through your goals and get a recommendation. If you decide to join, OnRamp is your first session.
Where are you and how do I get there?
Apex Plaza on Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 1AX, a two minute walk from Reading station and five minutes from the Oracle. Queens Road car park and the station car parks are both close by.
What are the session times?
Nine coached sessions a day, the first at 6am and the last at 8pm on weekdays, plus Saturday mornings. You book through the app, and if you cancel a session in the app you can book another.
What classes do you run?
Strength and Conditioning, HIIT, Reshape (a mix of cardio and resistance work that suits every level), Hybrid, Team Unleashed and yoga twice a week. A coach runs every one of them.
Do you do personal training as well as groups?
Yes. One to one personal training with the same coaches who run the groups. A lot of members do both. Ask on WhatsApp for availability.
What is the hiking about?
Our members train for things. In June 2026 twelve of them did the National 3 Peaks together, and we run regular hikes in the Brecon Beacons and on the coast.
Find us
Apex Plaza, Forbury Road, two minutes from the station.
- Apex Plaza, Forbury Road
Reading RG1 1AX - Coached sessions 6am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday mornings
James Parker, owner
If you have been putting this off, come and have a look.
Twenty minutes at Apex. I will show you round, ask what you want to achieve, and tell you honestly which programme suits you. There is no workout and no hard sell. If you want to ask something first, message me on WhatsApp.
A look round and a chat with James. Twenty minutes, no session, no pressure.
Or ask on WhatsApp
- I'm a beginner, is this for me?
- How much is it?
- Can I come and look round?
- I'm interested in personal training
James reads every message. You will hear back the same day, usually within the hour during sessions.
Or leave your details
Tell us what you are thinking about and James will message you back to book your intro.