Hexham Business Spotlight | This Month's Featured Local Business
Every month, Hexham Focus shines a light on a local business worth knowing about. This month, it's Evolve Coaching — a women-only strength training and coaching studio on Haugh Lane Industrial Estate.
Founded by Stefanie Macmillan on a "For Women, By Women" philosophy, Evolve Coaching is a strength and coaching facility built for real people who want structure, support and results that last. The studio promises no egos, no cookie-cutter plans and no judgement, just expert coaching, small-group women-only training and a friendly, welcoming community.
It's a private, judgment-free space, a step away from the intimidating feel of many commercial gyms, with a focus on building long-term fitness habits, strength and confidence without fads or crash diets. Whether you're brand new to training or experienced, the aim is to help you build confidence, move better, feel stronger and enjoy training again.
Our mission
Evolve's mission is to create a supportive space where women can train with confidence, learn proper technique and build a healthier lifestyle through education, structure and community. As the team put it, they're not just a gym, but a coaching facility designed to help you progress.
How to get started
Beginners and returners can start with the 6-Week Foundation Programme, which includes three small-group sessions a week plus tailored nutrition and technique support. It's led by Head Coach Anna, who guides new members through their first six weeks, from learning the basics and building strong movement foundations to staying accountable to their goals.
Once you're up and running, there are plenty of ways to keep going:
- Small group personal training
- 1:1 and 2:1 private sessions
- Long-term "inner circle" memberships
- Nutrition and fat loss coaching, including structured diet phases, check-ins and progress reviews
Meet the team
Stef, Founder & Director oversees the direction and day-to-day running of the business and leads the Strength & Sustain coaching. Her specialities include strength training and progressive programming, sustainable nutrition and lifestyle coaching, pre- and post-natal strength, maintenance and reverse dieting, and behaviour and habit coaching.
Anna, Head Coach is described as the standard setter at Evolve. She built her foundation in small group personal training before specialising in structured strength and progressive programming, and she's known for her eye for detail and for making coaching feel simple. She's particularly good at helping complete beginners feel like they belong on the gym floor.
Cheryl, Personal Trainer is a familiar face to many in Hexham, bringing years of experience from the local hospital gym. Her style is supportive and encouraging, and she's brilliant with women who feel nervous about stepping onto the gym floor. She coaches small group sessions and works 1:1 with members. Once she's comfortable, she brings infectious energy to her sessions.
Tiff, Strength Coach & 1:1 Specialist takes a calm, supportive and highly technical approach. She specialises in 1:1 and 2:1 coaching, strength-specific small group training, power lifting, injury support and safe progression, making her the go-to coach for refining technique and building confidence under the bar.
Joannie, Fat Loss & Accountability Coach has over 10 years' experience in the fitness industry and a background in bodybuilding. She leads fat loss coaching, with personalised nutrition guidance, regular check-ins and progress reviews. Her approach is about realistic body composition goals that fit around your life, not extremes or chasing perfection.
Elaine, Small Group Training Coach is the firecracker of Evolve, bringing energy and a fast-paced, motivating style to her sessions. Her specialities include small group training, women's health, CrossFit coaching, technique coaching in group environments and coaching beginners. If you want to be challenged and held to a higher standard, she's your coach.
Visit: Evolve Coaching, 26E Haugh Lane Industrial Estate, Hexham NE46 3PU
Phone: 07538 374581
Email: stef@evolvecoaching8.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday until 7:00pm; Tuesday–Thursday 6:00am–7:00pm; Friday 8:00am–7:00pm; Saturday closed; Sunday 9:00am–3:00pm