Posted on Monday 21st July 2025
Gareth Davies, founder of GD Fitness, (far right) competing at the 2019 INWA Nordic Walking World Cup in Estonia.
A health and fitness consultant and World Nordic Walking Champion is helping people living with diabetes and other long-term health conditions in his hometown of Stafford.
Gareth Davies, aged 56, runs regular health and nutrition clinics from Shire Hall Business Centre - one of Staffordshire County Council’s eight enterprise centres offering affordable and flexible workspace for local businesses.
With qualifications as a Master Trainer, GP Exercise Referral Instructor and specialist in weight management for diabetes and obesity, Gareth also supports people managing a range of conditions including COPD, Arthritis and Osteoporosis.
Gareth’s passion for health and fitness is rooted in his family history. His father was a professional footballer and army physical training instructor, his mother was a ballerina and his stepfather served as a physical training instructor, parachute instructor and mountain rescue leader with the RAF.
Fuelled by this early exposure to sports and exercise, Gareth went on to earn his black belt in karate at 21, log more than 400 scuba dives and become a ten-time National Nordic Walking Champion.
Most notably, he also claimed the titles of INWA World Nordic Walking Masters Champion and team-winning coach at the Estonia World Cup in 2019.
Gareth said:
“It has been as natural as breathing to me with my family background. I just love to help people. Very often, I’ll see people come into the gym at work and they’re a little bit nervous, a bit intimidated by gym environments and I don't like to see that. I like to enthuse them and give them confidence in their physicality.”
Gareth’s clinics at Shire Hall focus on personalised nutrition advice, fitness guidance and building sustainable health habits.
He says the building’s clean, professional environment and variety of meeting spaces help make the right impression on clients.
Gareth said:
"Shire Hall is a really nice place. The different meeting rooms downstairs can be used, dependent on how many people I might have booking onto my clinics, which gives me flexibility as well. The staff are really nice and there’s a clean, professional feel to it.”
For more information or to book onto a clinic with Gareth at Shire Hall, visit the GD Fitness Facebook group page or email garethcharlesdavies@hotmail.co.uk.
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:
“It’s fantastic to see Shire Hall being used to support such a valuable service for local residents. Gareth is a great example of the kinds of business we want to support – passionate, people-focused and rooted in the community.
“Staffordshire, at the heart of the country, is the perfect place for businesses to start up and succeed. Our centres supported more than 325 businesses last year alone and welcomed 46 new enterprises to their supportive communities.
“We have a variety of workshops, offices and industrial units available so I urge any businesses looking for affordable premises to enquire on our website today. If, like Gareth, you are looking to rent out meeting spaces as and when you need them, we have plenty of those available to book online as well.”
Find out more or book a workspace at Business and Enterprise Centres - Staffordshire County Council.