A “LIFE-CHANGING” family-run gym, which has been credited with “transforming” its members, is celebrating ten years in business.

Ripped Gym, in Harvey Road on the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate in Basildon, is run by husband-and-wife Alper Kani and Krystle Moss-Kani.

On Friday, the gym will mark its tenth anniversary with a deadlifting competition, offering prizes worth a total of £1,000.

Fitness influencers, a DJ and free samples will be on show at the “mini expo”. Entry is free.

Echo: Before and after - gymgoer Matt Riggs says his 14-stone weight loss was helped by the Ripped Gym team.Before and after - gymgoer Matt Riggs says his 14-stone weight loss was helped by the Ripped Gym team. (Image: Matt Riggs)

Ripped Gym has been credited by long-time members for helping to “change their lives”.

Member Matt Riggs, 37, joined the gym at 27.5 stone, after his son asked him: “Dad, are you going to die?”

Over the last five years, Matt has “completely transformed” his body, dropping 14 stone.

He said: “The difference is huge. I used to struggle to walk upstairs or tie my shoelaces. I had constant headaches and heart palpitations. I was in a really bad pickle.

“I don’t know where I’d be without Ripped Gym. I might not have had that motivation to change like I did.

“Alper and Krystle have always given me the motivation to carry on. They’ve been with me from the start.”

Echo: Determined - Matt lost almost half his body weight by working out at the gym over the last five years.Determined - Matt lost almost half his body weight by working out at the gym over the last five years. (Image: Matt Riggs / Instagram)

After suffering with bad mental health, Matt says the gym has been like his “church”.

He added: “I lost my dad last year, and my brother during the pandemic, but the gym has been there to support me.

“It’s personal and it feels like home. You wouldn’t get that from a big chain.”

Owner Alper says transformations like Matt’s make the ten-strong team feel “really good”.

He added: “We pride ourselves on trying to be the best. We care about everyone and never turn our backs, even after ten years.”

Echo: Husband-and-wife Alper and Krystle Moss-Kani have run the gym for a decade.Husband-and-wife Alper and Krystle Moss-Kani have run the gym for a decade. (Image: Alpa Moss-Kani)

Before Ripped Gym opened in 2014, Alper says “there wasn’t anything like it” in Basildon.

He added: “I think our continued success is down to the atmosphere. This is the place people where want to be.

Alper, 45, also credits the gym’s success to the diversity of its members.

He added: “We do get stereotyped as a ‘muscle-head’ gym, but we get people coming in from all walks of life.

“It feels like a family here.”

Tickets for Friday’s celebration can be booked on Eventbrite.