A SOUTHAMPTON personal trainer and record-breaking powerlifting champion is on a mission to "change perceptions" in the gym. 

The Gym personal trainer, Ellen Fitzgibbons, has recently smashed three world records.

The 22-year-old won the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress (AWPC) in September after squatting, benching, and deadlifting a total of 332.5kg.

Originally from Watford, Ellen began her professional powerlifting career over a year ago.

She moved to Winchester last month and started working at The Gym in Shirley.

Ellen said: "I have noticed a big shift recently with the type of people coming into the gym.

"It is still very male-dominated but more women are coming in and looking to get healthy.

"Women still come in with image goals but I ask for a practical goal. With one of my clients was for her to do a push-up. 

"I come from a football background and for me, powerlifting was a thing for myself.

"It is an individual sport that works on pushing yourself to the limit and there were plenty of times I thought of giving up.

"When I did push through I was shocked at what I could do. My advice for everyone is to push through."

The Gym on Shirley High Street has gone through a £370,000 refurbishment.

New facilities include six-bay Olympic lifting rigs, new pin-loaded strength functional accessories, a new cardio machine zone, and bench stations.

Ellen said she is thankful for the support The Gym and her coach from Team Winning Total Performance (WTP) in Basingstoke.

She said: "I'm really thankful to my coach, Luke Patterson.

"Without him and the team he has created, I would not have gone onto such as professional level."

During her time with Team WTP, Ellen moved from powerlifting a total of 210kg to her record-breaking 332.5kg.

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