What might seem like an ordinary fitness group is, in reality, a disturbing recruitment front for a growing far-right extremist movement.
Under the guise of promoting physical training and brotherhood, a group known as Active Club England has been secretly preparing its members for what they call a “race war.”
The Hidden Agenda Behind Extreme Fitness Training
An undercover investigation by ITV News has exposed how this group operates across the UK, using extreme fitness routines to attract and train new members.
While some may think it’s just an intense workout group, the reality is much darker.
Behind the scenes, recruits are being introduced to violent ideologies, given weapons training, and encouraged to idolize figures such as Adolf Hitler.
After last year’s summer riots, the group reportedly saw a surge in new members.
One of its branches even holds biweekly training sessions in a public park in Vauxhall, South London, within sight of the MI6 headquarters.
With at least eight active branches across the UK, the group has also expanded into the US and Europe, using fitness as a cover for spreading white supremacist beliefs.
Dangerous Recruits and Alarming Activities
Among the newest recruits is Jay Barlow, a 28-year-old with a violent past, previously convicted of a supermarket knife attack.
Secretly recorded footage reveals members engaging in boxing sessions while openly discussing plans to acquire and use weapons.
Conversations about printing 3D firearms, stockpiling throwing knives, and practicing archery highlight their dangerous intentions.
Members also wear Halloween masks to conceal their identities and pose with an England flag, attempting to disguise their extremist agenda as patriotism.
Some recruits are required to pass strict fitness tests, including lifting 60kg on a bench press and 110kg in a deadlift within six months, or risk expulsion.
Vetting New Recruits: A Deep Dive into Extremist Ideology
Before joining, recruits must go through a selection process that involves an in-depth interview with a member who goes by the alias “Lance.”
The undercover ITV journalist who infiltrated the group was asked about his ethnic background, religious beliefs, and opinions on national issues.
Once accepted, recruits were instructed to purchase a separate phone solely for group communications, using the encrypted messaging app Threema to avoid detection.
Footage also captured members discussing plans to purchase land for exclusive training and creating a private indoor gym to practice combat techniques without interference.
Extremist Rhetoric and Plans for a ‘Cultural Rebirth’
Racist and antisemitic rhetoric runs rampant within the group.
Secret recordings captured members making violent threats, using racial slurs, and celebrating Hitler’s birthday with a swastika-adorned cake.
Discussions about riots, racial violence, and replacing law enforcement with their own extremist rule paint a chilling picture of their ultimate goals.
One disturbing exchange included a member referring to black people in derogatory terms, while another claimed: “If we didn’t have black people, we wouldn’t need police. We could do whatever we want.”
Another joked: “What’s the difference between a Jew and a dollar? I’d care if I lost six million dollars.”
Establishing a Base and Avoiding Law Enforcement
The group is actively looking for a permanent space in London to practice knife defense and combat training without fear of being arrested.
At one meeting, members gathered outside a Sainsbury’s in Vauxhall, where they were instructed to turn off their phones before heading to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens for training.
Sessions frequently ended with Nazi salutes and group discussions in local pubs and cafés.
One member even suggested how “cool” it would be to get caught on camera doing a Nazi salute with the MI6 building in the background.
Some members openly celebrate their extremist beliefs, with one referring to himself as “vegetarian like Uncle Addy”—a clear nod to Adolf Hitler.
A Growing Threat Recognized by Authorities
Authorities are deeply concerned about the rise of such far-right groups.
Neil Basu, the former head of Counter-Terrorism Policing, has called Active Club England the successor to National Action, a banned extremist group known for its violent ideology.
“This is beyond just hateful speech,” Basu warns.
“These individuals are preparing for violence, and eventually, they will recruit someone willing to act on it.”
This group is part of a broader trend of far-right organizations using fitness and martial arts training to prepare for a self-proclaimed ‘race war.’
In November 2023, Ashley Sharp, a 43-year-old prison officer from Barnsley, was jailed for eight years for leading a similar extremist fitness club called White Stag Athletic Club—another group dedicated to training recruits as soldiers for their cause.
What’s Next?
As more of these extremist groups gain traction, law enforcement agencies face increasing challenges in tracking and dismantling them.
The use of fitness as a recruitment tool, encrypted messaging apps, and underground training locations makes them harder to detect.
The exposure of Active Club England raises urgent concerns: How many more of these groups are operating under the radar?
And what steps must be taken to prevent them from growing further?
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but the risk of violent action remains a serious threat.