Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons, BSc Sport & Exercise Sciences
What started as a conversation between two friends has grown into a business with a simple mission: to make fitness accessible.
Third-year Sport & Exercise Sciences students Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons launched Pop Up Fitness during their COOP work placements after identifying an opportunity to create something different within the health and fitness industry.
Building an Idea Around Accessibility
“Our names are Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons. We are both in our third year of Sport & Exercise Sciences in the University of Limerick. We are currently in our Co-op work placement stage of our studies.”
Colm is currently working with Kerry FC as a coach, strength and conditioning coach, and video analyst within the underage academy system, while Andrew is working with the Limerick Senior Hurling Squad for the 2026 season as part of the backroom team and strength and conditioning department.
Throughout these placements, both students have been applying their coaching skills and academic learning in real-world environments while gaining experience in academy, development, senior and elite sport.
“During this placement period, we came up with an idea to create something different in the health and fitness industry when we noticed a potential area of the market to exploit.”
That idea became Pop Up Fitness.
“The primary idea from the start was to make fitness accessible to anyone and anywhere by creating a portable fitness class service where all equipment is transportable, allowing us to run fitness classes, bootcamps, once-off fitness events, corporate classes and on-pitch sessions, regardless of the location, outdoor or indoor. All we need is an open space!
“Hence the name ‘Pop Up Fitness’ and our consistent slogan, ‘We make fitness accessible.’ This wording was no coincidence in our branding and formed the core of our business model and what we wanted to do, but also what we truly believed in.”
Removing Barriers to Fitness
For Colm, the motivation behind the business came from years of seeing how exercise can positively impact people’s lives.
“Myself and Andrew have been close friends for several years and have always shared a passion for health and fitness. Through our experiences of working with individuals just starting their fitness journey to working with elite athletes in high-level sports, we have seen first-hand the effect that training can have on people of all levels of experience, both physically and mentally.”
The pair wanted to remove some of the barriers that stop people from becoming active.
“The idea for Pop Up Fitness came from us wanting to remove the intimidating stigma around fitness training. I have personally seen many people shy away from starting their fitness journey due to being intimidated by stepping onto a gym floor alone, or simply not knowing where to start.
“We aimed to create a fun, laid-back environment for fitness training, while also creating an environment challenging enough for people to see real progress.
“We felt as though the overcomplication, expensive gym facilities and intimidation factors were the main reasons behind many people living sedentary lifestyles. We wanted to remove these barriers for people.”
Balancing University and a Business
Launching a business while completing a university degree has been demanding, but Andrew believes good organisation has been key.
“It has been busy for us of course and stressful at times trying to get it up and running, but this period of work placement, where we have had consistent schedules with work, has allowed us to put more time into this idea and bring it to life.
“The main thing I would say is that setting a structure in place timewise was key for us. It has also been quite enjoyable to work on this project as it is something that we really believe in and see going somewhere.
“While it is full on and busy, nothing good comes without putting time and effort into something, and we were determined and committed to making this happen.”
Applying What They’ve Learned at UL
Colm believes the knowledge and experiences gained through Sport & Exercise Sciences have played a major role in launching the business.
“My studies at UL have helped massively in the launch phase of Pop Up Fitness.”
Through coaching science modules, he developed communication skills, coaching cues and body language, while modules such as Introduction to Information Technology helped him build the IT skills required to manage booking systems and business administration.
One experience that stood out was organising the annual Jacinta O’Brien Memorial 5K during second year.
“This event exposed me to the importance of having an online presence, the importance of safety procedures, communication with sponsors and organisations that aided the event and the importance of attention to detail when organising events.
“It also taught me how hard work and perseverance can lead to great success. These are learnings I have brought to the launch of Pop Up Fitness.”
Turning an Idea into Reality
For Andrew, the proudest moment came when Pop Up Fitness delivered its first class.
“This started with just a casual conversation months ago and an idea. So, to see us bring it to life and make it happen and get such a positive response was a very proud moment for us.
“It is one thing to have an idea, but it is another thing to act on it and put in the time and effort to get over the obstacles that were in front of us.”
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Launching the business has involved much more than coaching sessions.
Colm explains:
“I’ve learned that when launching a business, there will be a lot of things that you need to do that you don’t necessarily know how to do.”
From booking systems and insurance to finance and risk assessments, every challenge became a learning opportunity.
“As we began the process and started to work through these tasks, through trial and error we managed to get these tasks done.
“As the business grows, we will for sure face more challenges of this nature, but we now know that we can overcome these challenges with persistence and an open mind.”
Looking Ahead
The pair have ambitious plans for the future.
“We hope to continue to grow Pop Up Fitness into something bigger and tap into many different areas of the fitness industry.
“We have great ambitions to scale Pop Up Fitness into a successful and sustainable business but, more importantly, impact more people’s fitness journeys.
“While this is a great business opportunity, it is also an opportunity to impact many people’s lives by removing some of the barriers that many people face to stay fit and healthy.”
For Colm, launching the business has also influenced his own career ambitions.
“Pop Up Fitness has exposed me to the business side of the industry and has shown me how enjoyable and rewarding it can be.
“It has given me the opportunity to develop skills beyond coaching and training, including leadership, communication, organisation and entrepreneurship.
“Most importantly, it has shown me that creating something of my own and helping people improve their health and fitness is something I am genuinely passionate about.”
Advice for Other Student Entrepreneurs
Andrew encourages other students with an idea to take the first step.
“If you have an idea and you truly believe it, then just go for it because there are some things that can only be learned by doing.
“You will never regret giving any business idea a real try. Even if it doesn’t work out, you will know you tried rather than living thinking, ‘what if?’
“I would also say that both patience and resilience are by far the most important things to have because there will be obstacles, not everything will go to plan and it will take time.
“Firstly, set a plan in place of what you want to do, how it is going to work, the logistics, the challenges and the opportunities. Write it all down and then simply don’t hold back and just go for it.”
Follow the Pop Up Fitness journey on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/popupfitness_
Interested in studying Sport & Exercise Sciences at UL? Learn more about the BSc programme here:
https://www.ul.ie/courses/bachelor-science-sport-and-exercise-sciences
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