Sanctuary Gym & Fitness - Dereham

Melinda S

I've been putting off writing this review because the adjectives do not exist to describe just how wonderful and perfect Sanctuary is, but it's time for me to give it my best shot and hope I do it justice. 🙂

I walked into Sanctuary at the beginning of May 2024, nervous as anything because I heard this was the best gym around and I felt intimidated. Well, how silly I feel now because the moment I walked in I was greeted by Paul, who, with Kylie, owns and runs this incredible facility. Paul immediately put me at ease and talked to me about my background, why I came to this gym and what I wanted to achieve. A while later, I had signed up, feeling ridiculously lucky to have scored three sessions with Paul, to begin the next day. Ten weeks later, I am still training with Paul seeing results, feeling 100% better and completely addicted to everything Sanctuary offers!

The equipment is the best you will find anywhere - you can feel the quality and you will find everything you need. The gym itself is the cleanest I've ever come across. It's well-ventilated too. But the best thing about this gym are the staff themselves - they are wonderful! I'm always greeted with a warm welcome and leave the same way. They are very knowledgeable and always willing to help you out and answer your questions. And the membership prices are very fair. You will not get ripped off here.

I've never been close to being a gym junkie, until now. This gym is my happy place. I train four times a week, and am always plotting on how I can get Paul to agree to even more sessions with him. 😀 When I am not at Sanctuary, I am crawling up the walls, not being able to wait until my next session. I've been to a fair number of gyms across the world. I am not exaggerating when I say that Sanctuary is by very far the best gym I've ever had the pleasure of using anywhere in the world. I would not change one thing about it - you can't improve on perfection. 🙂

If you were hesitating to join or feel intimidated, please don't! I promise you, you won't regret it one bit - it's a warm, supportive and friendly place.

Joshua Birmingham

I’ve been VERY reluctant to leave a review, simply for selfish reasons. If everyone knew how incredibly perfect this gym is, they’d all join!

Whether you’re a pro, or just starting out, Sanctuary is the gym for you! This place is serious about fitness and providing their members with a quality experience.
Being the only Hammer Strength Accredited training academy in Norfolk, you know that you’ve got the best equipment around.

If you’d told me a year ago that I would be going to the gym at least four times a week, I’d have laughed at you. If you’d told me that I would crave a gym sesh and that Sanctuary would become one of my favourite places, I would have bet against it.
I entered a safe and friendly environment that soon became my happy place.

All the staff are amazing, they’re so supportive and down to earth, while maintaining the upmost professionalism. Without the environment that Paul and Kylie have expertly created with their incredible team, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

If you want to do yourself a favour, (and don’t want to feel like a rat in a cage, like at most gyms), then become a member at Sanctuary Gym & Fitness!
If you want to do me a favour, go somewhere else.

Leannda Powles

Perfect bodybuilding style gym which I love! But also a great all rounder for a gym! Great equipment and well looked after. Also a very good amount of cardio equipment to choose from. Staff are very friendly and welcoming especially vikki. She always takes the time out to speak to you and says hello to everyone. She makes you feel so welcome and always has a smile on her face every time you go in. ☺️

Great place to train 🙌🏻

Tristan Clover

good gym with plenty of equipment to use, can get a little overcrowded at peak times but is open 24 hours to I just go at other times

Ryan Steer

Having worked in gyms, visited gyms as a customer and provided physiotherapy for many people an a gym environment...I can safely say this is easily the best gym I've been to in a decade. The quality, diversity and presentation of the equipment and space involved with the gym is outstanding.

I would recommend this gym to any serious lifter, body builder and someone just staring out on their fitness Journey. The staff are experienced, friendly and knowledgeable in all things related to lifting heavy things.

brett king

An awesome gym which I recently joined on a 7 day trial pass, Knowledgeable and friendly staff, Very well equipped gym with no expense spared, Clean and never an issue with a faulty machine, highly recommend

charlotte Bushell

Great spacious gym, extensive range of high quality kit - not waiting to get on machines you want to use as such a huge choice. Feels really clean and well maintained. A great gym!

Jacob Murray

Extremely well equipped gym. Sanctuary is by far the best equipped gym in dereham/surrounding area. Kit is top tier and there is plenty of weights and accessories for cables to go around. 24 hour access is a big plus as I can get in a late night session when it’s dead. Paul and Kylie are very welcoming; aswell as Lucy and Ben who are knowledgable and helpful. Can’t fault it.