Chokdee Martial Fitness Academy in Nether Poppleton is one of 10 finalists in the contest after readers nominated hundreds of favourites over an online voting platform.
Starting from Monday, January 20, voting slips have been appearing in The Press newspaper for 12 consecutive days – allowing readers to pick their winner before voting closes on February 1.
Each copy of The Press has been featuring a short profile on each business and why it thinks it deserves to be voted number one in York.
Readers can vote for the Best Gym 2025 by picking up a voting slip, found in copies of The Press newspaper every day, with the winner set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Voting is underway for The Press Best Gym 2025 (Image: Newsquest)
The first of our nominees, in no particular order, is Chokdee Martial Fitness Academy in Nether Poppleton. Owner and founder Rich Cadden spoke to The Press after receiving the news of making the final.
He said: “I founded Chokdee Gym in 2005, just after winning my first World Title in Thailand. I trained out of the Bad Company Gym in Leeds, and spent seven to eight weeks per year in intensive training camps in Bangkok.
“As a York lad, growing up in Acomb, going to Manor School and coming through the amateur and professional ranks in rugby league, my loyalty to my hometown meant that I couldn’t leave.
Rich said he pursued exercise and physiology qualifications in 2008, after being made redundant from his job.
“My aim now, as a coach, is to help people improve their lives through the conduit of martial arts,” he added, saying he has already helped three fighters achieve world titles.
“I was able to prove that a quiet geeky kid could win world titles in the most extreme ring sport in the world.”
Running Chokdee gym with his wife, a fellow personal trainer, Rich says he also helps athletes from an “endless” list of different sports.
He said: “With over 40 years of martial arts experience this year, we are one of the longest running martial arts clubs in the area. We have spawned several of the other martial clubs in the area.
“We run classes for Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Wrestling and MMA. From grassroots beginners all the way through to elite competitors. We have great development programmes for all levels and abilities.
“Everyone comes to the gym for different reasons, and I hope we facilitate every single one. Some maybe for fitness, some for self-defence. We have helped domestic abuse survivors and bullying victims. Postnatal mums, to teenagers growing into adults.”
Speaking on The Press Best Gym competition, Rich added: “There are many great gyms around York and we are blessed to be in such a great city, with so many options.
“One of the things I like to see is when other gym owners bring their kids and friends to our gym. It’s not really a competition, it’s a respect for our individual skills and the unique selling points we offer.”
