Discover the journey of SW7 Academy from garage workouts to a leading fitness platform, blending passion, expertise, and innovation to transform training.
In the summer of 2019, during a garage upper body session, Josh and I (Sam Warburton) were reflecting on the future as we neared 31. Our shared passion for training and long-standing friendship, dating back to our high school days when we made a solid flanker partnership, sparked the idea of SW7 Academy.
We were the teens who trained every lunchtime, naïvely bench pressing daily! While I had the privilege of joining the Cardiff Rugby Academy at 15, Josh and others had to figure out their training the old-fashioned way—reading magazines and asking bigger guys at the gym, “What do you do?”
Our collaboration continued every summer until we had an epiphany: people could train smarter and achieve better results. At that point, I had 15 years of experience in professional rugby as both a player and coach, and Josh had spent five years as a personal trainer working with clients one-on-one. We decided to merge our knowledge and create SW7 Academy—named after my initials (SW) and rugby position (number 7).
We started by developing rugby-specific training plans from my garage gym, but quickly realized the potential to expand. The response was overwhelming, and with proof of concept, we were motivated to make SW7 Academy the best in class. We faced challenges early on, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced us to adapt quickly by releasing home workout plans to keep people physically and mentally healthy. Over 2,000 individuals signed up, and we manually added each one late into the night!
As the business grew, we added key members to our team, like Andrew Jones, who helped drive our vision, and Sam Gasston, who took our programming and client success to new heights. Our most recent addition, Holly Evans, has strengthened our marketing efforts, helping us reach even more people with valuable content.
Today, with over 200,000 Instagram followers, 9,000+ people trained, and partnerships with elite sports teams, SW7 Academy is dedicated to providing top-tier strength and conditioning programs. We’re proud to impact lives, helping individuals achieve their fitness goals with smart, effective training. Our mission is to become the most trusted fitness platform, and we’re committed to long-term success, thanks to your support.
Thank you to everyone who has followed, subscribed, and engaged with SW7 Academy—we’re here for the long haul!
How We Can Help You
If you’re looking to elevate your fitness and nutrition game, you’re in the right place!
Our Signature Programme offers a personalised training and nutrition plan, exclusive Instagram content, and monthly group calls with Sam Warburton and special guests. Book a call to find out more here!
We also have an online training membership, offering access to over 12 expertly designed training programmes, built by athletes and tailored for all levels. Whether you’re aiming to build muscle, lose weight, or enhance overall performance, this monthly or annual subscription provides everything you need to succeed. Start your 7-day free trial here.