Advertorial: Glossop teen lands BMX glory

A Glossop teen is celebrating after becoming a British BMX champion. 

14-year-old Charlie Bob Craig recently took part in the British BMX Championships, the biggest BMX tournament in the country, coming away with the first prize in his age category. 

In front of over 3,000 spectators at Manchester’s Platt Fields Park, the talented rider raced to victory in the 13-14 cruiser category, without dropping a single lap. 

The stellar achievement caps off a superb year for the Ashton-born star, who recently signed as a Crank BMX Coaching race team rider. 

Charlie Bob – who has dreams of one day competing in the Olympics – also took part in his first overseas tournament earlier this year, racing in the BMX European Cup in the Netherlands. 

The Glossop resident - who has ADHD - says Every Bodies Gym has been vital to his development over recent months, having received bespoke training tailored to his needs from owner Adam Parker. 

Not only does Adam have an in depth understanding of fitness, gathered from his years of working as a personal trainer, he also possesses great insight into how difficult being neurodivergent can be. 

Many of his current clients are neurodivergent, and being diagnosed with ADHD himself, Adam understands the need for a calm and accessible space.  

The gym features muted, soothing colours, minimal mirrors simply to check technique, and welcomes members who might choose to wear noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload. 

“When Charlie came to me, he was already competing at a high level. The idea was to try and build his confidence,” Adam told the Chronicle.  

“The reason he came to me originally is because I’m a neurodiverse coach myself. A lot of it was to do with him being able to trust me as a coach. 

“He came here because he was more confident in this environment than he would be in a generalised gym environment. 

“We also worked on his stability, and making sure it was strong enough so that when he gets into challenging positions on the track, he can compete. 

“He’s done amazing, and I’m extremely proud.” 

Though Charlie Bob undoubtedly possesses the talent to have a bright future in the sport, the lack of funding within British BMX can often be a stumbling block for riders. 

Because of this, sponsorships are crucial for those who wish to continue to compete. 

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Charlie Bob’s father, Mark, on 07854881836. 

For more information on what Every Bodies Gym has to offer, visit their website:
www.everybodiesgym.co.uk