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Discover Your Ability with Able2B

Posted in News on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026

We found out about Able2B the gym focused on helping disabled people ‘discover the ability’.

With society increasingly becoming more cautious, tight for time and hospitals becoming increasingly clinical, it’s not uncommon to be told there’s only one approach to a problem. Have you ever been sent off to speak to a specialist only to be told you need to see a different specialist, and then another? Or have to wait six months between physiotherapy appointments? Seeing this impersonal, blanket approach was one of many factors that inspired Rachael Hutchinson to co-found Able2B alongside Jon Thaxton.

Despite the life changing work at Able2B chances are you’re unlikely to have heard of them as they’re tucked away in a small Norfolk city and still relatively young. 

At Able2B they’re on a mission to enable any child or adult with disabilities, perhaps you, to “Discover your ability” through the use of a unique and inclusive gym. It is unlike anything else you’ll discover in the UK. Many individuals have attended the gym to discover they can achieve far more than they expected possible. If you talk with Rachael and Jon they will be quick to emphasise Able2B is not just a gym it’s a community and a support network.

What makes them stand out?

In the heart of the gym as a steady flow of people came in for their sessions, we sat with Rachael and Jon who gently bantered to each other. A strong friendship had been born many years before when they discovered their values, goals and history interlinked. Their joint skill set enabled the success of this community focused company.

Prior to Able2B Rachael Hutchinson was a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. She has worked with people with disabilities throughout most of her surgical career and holds a heavy weight of knowledge and skills within healthcare and sports. Jon Thaxton's career was very different, initially rising as a successful boxer then shifting direction to a highly energised and enthusiastic personal trainer. 

Their approach 

As they only hold one to one sessions (or small groups) they intentionally tailor each session to the individual. They ensure there’s a higher focus on functional sports medicine principles as opposed to standard medical therapy. Rachael told us - “If you want a boxer or Usian Bolt to run a bit faster or box better, you don’t just change their joint you look at their psych, their nutrition, mental well-being, their self-confidence, self-belief, their endurance in different circumstances, their strengths in different muscle groups, how their strength relates to range... That’s what we should do for everybody. Not give someone a label and treat the label…The biggest argument is (treating) the mental aspect” 

Building on this foundation, they encourage “little and often” and discuss the dream goal but set smaller goals for each session which helps with mentality and self-confidence. They emphasise the notion that each session is a team effort, the individual must trust Able2B but they must also buy in themselves. Having a positive and trusted relationship between client and trainer is really important. 

We were given the opportunity to speak with Bridget, a remarkable young woman who sustained a life-changing brain injury years ago which left her unable to walk and with very limited movement in her arms. From the moment of her diagnosis, Bridget showed incredible determination and refused to accept that her future would be defined by “it’s not possible.”

When Bridget joined Able2B, she finally found a place where possibilities were encouraged, not discouraged. When she joined Able2B she struggled to lift her arms, particularly her left arm but she was given the opportunity to try boxing. She now lifts weights and attends the gym four times a week. When asked what Able2B meant to her she said: “I don’t know what I would do without this place. It’s magic, it's given me my life back. They really believe in you and the friendship and support I receive from everyone here is priceless.”                 

What do they offer?

Most of the gym equipment isn’t specialist and it doesn’t need to be “it’s knowing how to use it”. What once started as a group of eight people meeting in a local boxing club has now grown to 500 people visiting the gym each week. Able2B offers: 

• 30 minutes 1 to 1 coaching - Specialist training sessions - gym sessions, adapted swimspa,
• frame running, rebound therapy, sport massage
• Small group classes 
• Free online courses 
• Services to carers 
• Organisations support/training

What can you do?

• Plan a trip to visit them in person by going to www.able2b.co.uk or calling the team on 01603 986407.
• Attend their online training sessions wherever you may be in the world
• Donate to them via the JustGiving site (www.justgiving.com/campaign/able2b)

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