STRONG: Meet Brighton’s newest fitness space

At Scene Magazine, we love supporting Brighton’s local businesses, especially those that are LGBTQ+ owned and helping to make our city what it is. So when a brand-new fitness space opens its doors, founded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community, we wanted to be there.

That’s how I found myself meeting Mike Brehaut on opening day at STRONG Brighton - a new fitness space bringing together strength training, cardio, a sauna, cold plunge and, hopefully, plenty of good vibes.

Opening a new business is never just about unlocking the doors for the first time. Behind that moment are months of planning, hard work, uncertainty and, eventually, the feeling of standing back and thinking: I actually did it.

For Mike, that moment had finally arrived. But STRONG is about more than fitness. Mike wants to create a space where people feel comfortable regardless of their body, appearance or experience.

"I just want everyone to feel welcome within the space"

As a gay business owner, Mike also sees an opportunity to create something particularly meaningful for Brighton's LGBTQ+ community. One of his ambitions is to introduce inclusive sessions and develop a safe space for members of the trans and non-binary community.

"It's been really important to me over the last year"

For Mike, building STRONG has also been a personal journey. His partner Liam was by his side throughout the opening, helping behind the scenes and supporting the launch.

"Liam is my biggest supporter. He's like my rock," Mike says, before adding with a smile: "He's a good catch and I'm very lucky to have him."

Mike is honest about the challenges of getting the business from an idea to opening day.

"It's not been easy. It's been a hard, hard, hard drive."

But standing inside the finished space, his pride was clear.

"Look, it's something I feel really proud of creating."

There was a warm atmosphere throughout the opening, with people exploring the new space and celebrating the occasion. For Mike, the bigger goal is to become part of Brighton's community.

When I ask what advice he would give to someone from the LGBTQ+ community thinking about starting their own business, his answer is simple:

"Persevere."

And when I ask what he hopes for STRONG over the coming year, he talks about "positivity, good vibes" and creating "a community for everybody".

There are plenty of places to work out in Brighton. Mike's ambition is to create somewhere people can sweat, relax and feel part of the community.

For a business on its very first day, that's a pretty STRONG start.