About
Twenty years of coaching in Reading.
From the Army to Progressive Fitness to Unleashed Performance at Apex.
- Reading since 2006
- British Army PTI
- Progressive Fitness to Unleashed Performance
- Reading Half Marathon sponsor 2020 to 2023
- Apex since November 2024
Unleashed Performance is a coached gym in Reading, run by James Parker. James was a Physical Training Instructor in the British Army, and when he left he set out to bring that standard of coaching to people with jobs, families and a train to catch.
He launched Progressive Fitness in Reading in 2006, running some of the first fitness boot camps in Berkshire. In 2020 it became Unleashed Performance, with Tony Doherty joining as business partner, and the gym became headline sponsor of the Reading Half Marathon from 2020 to 2023.
The current gym at Apex Plaza on Forbury Road opened in November 2024, two minutes from Reading mainline station, with the racks, the lanes and a yoga studio at the back.
The method has not changed in twenty years: a written programme, a coach on the floor, numbers checked every four weeks, and a group of people who train for things together. In June 2026 twelve of them did the National 3 Peaks.
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.
The gym and beyond
What a month looks like.
Under the wall 
National 3 Peaks, June 2026 
A coach on the floor 
Yoga, twice a week 
On the coast 
Saturday 
On the floor 
Forbury Road, 8pm
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.
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.
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.