The death of a popular fitness coach and gym owner has shocked members and colleagues.

Ian Sage was found dead at the Bob Prowse Health Club, which he joint owned, earlier this month. He was 46.

A group Facebook page set up to honour his memory has since attracted 448 members and hundreds of posts.

Co-owner of the gym in Armstrong Road, Maidstone, Paul Slythe said: “I knew Ian for 23 years – at one stage we shared a house together.

“He was just such a nice, fun guy, and a wonderful coach. My best friend.”

Mr Sage, who lived in Grecian Street, spent 25 years working in gyms and the fitness industry.

He joined the Bob Prowse establishment in 1990 and worked his way up the ranks to senior gym instructor.

When Mr Prowse retired in 2004, he took over with Mr Slythe but they kept the business name.

Mr Sage competed in many martial arts and bodybuilding contests before training others to do so.

His motto was always to “see people achieve and make the impossible, possible”.

Mr Slythe closed the gym for four days after the death.

He said: “I was worried about re-opening, what the effect would be, because we’ve always been such a close community.

“But in fact, it’s been absolutely amazing. Everyone’s come together.

"The gym was Ian’s love and his passion and our members have taken comfort from that.”

Mr Sage, a vegan, leaves brothers Roy, Martin and Chas, sisters Janet and Joan and many nieces and nephews.

Mr Slythe said: “I don’t think he had missed Sunday lunch with his family in 20 years.”

He was also fond of his cat Mudbrick.

"The gym was Ian's love and his passion and our members have taken comfort from that" - Ian Sage

Mr Slythe said Mr Sage’s death had come as a huge shock, adding: “I saw him at least 30 hours a week and we shared all the same friends.

"He seemed fine, happy. There is no explanation.”

Mr Sage’s pupils have been posting on Facebook.

Graham Farey said: “Ian will always be my coach, my mentor my friend and my hero.

“The world has lost a truly wonderful human being.”

Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn opened the inquest into Mr Sage’s death on Monday.

She heard he was found dead on November 1 and a post mortem confirmed death was caused by hanging.

The inquest was adjourned until February 4.

His funeral will be at Vinters Park Crematorium today at 12.30pm.

His funeral cortege will stop briefly outside the club en route at about 11.30am.