Tony Cottenden
Founder & Coach
A PE officer in the prison service until 2016, then full-time PT: first in a wooden shed in his garden, now on Station Road.
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About Top Condition
From a garden shed to Station Road
Top Condition Personal Training is Tony Cottenden's gym in Rainham, Gillingham: small group personal training with four coaches.
The story
How did Top Condition start?
In a wooden shed in Tony's garden. He was a PE officer in the prison service, and on 6 March 2016 he left to coach full-time.
2016
The wooden shed
Tony leaves the prison service and starts coaching full-time, in his garden.
Then
The metal shed
An upgrade. Some members from those days still train with Tony now.
2020
Station Road
COVID closes gyms. Tony signs the lease on 189 Station Road, and clients keep paying through the Zoom sessions.
2026
1,000 sessions a month
Four coaches, the loan paid off, air con fitted, and the first month with 1,000 sessions attended.
“Looking back, I honestly never imagined I'd still be doing this job… let alone still absolutely loving it.”
Tony, ten years after leaving the prison service
The coaches
Who will be coaching me?
One of these four, at every session. They'll know your name, your goals and what you lifted last time.
Emma
Coach
Has spent the past few years working with women who are starting to notice menopause symptoms. Members call her Em.
Dylan Addison
Coach
Back from his travels in 2025. Calm, curious and always ready to listen, according to Tony.
Stewart
Coach
Thirty years a firefighter, then a client here, then qualified. Joined the team in May 2026 and runs youth training.
Outside the sessions
What else goes on?
Social events, workshops and team sessions most months.
- Workshops on sleep, nutrition, the menopause and strength
- The Summer and Winter Games plus HYROX races and hikes
- The Christmas party and a few more besides
- The Rainham End we sponsor the local football team's shirts
The 6 Week Kickstart
Start with six weeks.
Up to 18 small group sessions, nutrition coaching and weekly check-ins. If you turn up and don't feel the difference, you get your money back.