A FITNESS and rehabilitation centre in Evesham has become a popular venue for those wishing to get fit or increase their strength and has grown three-fold since it moved to the Four Pools Industrial Estate almost three years ago.

Phoenix Fitness Solutions, owned by Jason Harvey, began in 2010 in a studio in the town's Port Street, but outgrew the premises.

Today, the open-plan gym with more than 45 exercise stations, boasts a membership of more than 180 with long opening hours of between 6.30am and 9pm so people can fit in a session around their own busy lives.

Personal trainer Jason, 25, who is assisted by Jess Hyde, also a qualified personal trainer, run the centre together and cater for all levels of client.

"Either Jess or myself will assess a new member to see what their goals are and put together a plan for them to follow. They are then free to go on any piece of equipment, whenever they like. They can ask us for advice or book a separate one-to-one session. The whole idea is for people to come and develop their confidence and enjoy getting fitter in a friendly atmosphere where there is no pressure and where they can feel comfortable.

"We have an on-site physiotherapist, Mark Dyer, who offers individual treatments and rehabilitation in all aspects of pain and injury relief as well as advice and management of such conditions as osteoarthritis, stroke, MS, Parkinson's Disease, hypermobility and falls prevention."

There are also freelance personal trainers, Ben Goss and John Chalmers, on the Phoenix team.

The gym has top quality equipment including the popular Wattbikes, treadmills and cross-trainers. The apparatus includes Olympic rings, rope pulley, punch bag, suspension bars and squat rack. Elsewhere there is a dedicated free weights room, spin bikes, kettle bells and equipment specifically for upper and lower body weights resistance and leg presses.

Space has been created for floor agility work and there are protein shakes and supplements available to aid nutrition.

One special piece of equipment the gym has is an anti-gravity treadmill which is used for rehabilitation for those who need to reduce their body weight as they exercise. It can reduce a persons weight to 20 per cent and is ideal for someone who cannot support their weight such as stroke victims, someone very heavy, or those recovering from surgery or injury.

The gym is now on the look out for another team member who can act as an instructor, carry out general duties and induction programmes.

Jason says seeing a person's development from the moment they become a member is very satisfying.

"It is a privilege to watch people go through a training programme that we have been a part of and which has helped them achieve their goals," he said.

Monthly membership starts at £24.99. More details, opening times and prices, including family deals are on the website: www.phoenixfitnesssolutions.co.uk

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