Let’s face it – if you want even the slimmest chance of sticking to that fitness plan and making the most of your gym membership, there’s no point in giving yourself the extra excuse of having to travel miles in traffic before you even start clocking up a few metres on the treadmill.

Nestled within The Brewery – Cheltenham’s vibrant, ever popular entertainment centre – and just a stone’s throw from the town’s bustling High Street, however, Fitness First Cheltenham couldn’t be better located for enthusiastic exercisers working and living nearby.

Even at 6.30am, on SoGlos.com’s bright and breezy early morning visit, dedicated members – spanning the age range from early 20s to late 60s – were fitting in a quick workout before heading to the office, with some members limbering up for the first studio class of the day – chosen from a schedule which runs from 7am to 9.30pm.

The packed timetable includes classes such as ‘Bodyattack’, which promises an athletic challenge from a high intensity aerobic workout, ‘Bodybalance’, a holistic fitness programme designed to tone, relax and renew, while ‘RPM’ is an athletic cardiovascular cycling class aimed at burning fat fast. But don’t let the über-efficient class names scare you off – beginners’ sessions are also regularly run to introduce members to specific techniques, and all classes are led by experienced trainers.

In fact, we’ve never come across a health centre which puts so much emphasis on its staff. En route to the changing rooms you can’t fail to notice the smiling mug shots of the team, proudly displaying details of each individual’s specialist offerings – with experts in everything from boxing to intelligent exercise available for one-on-one sessions at a reasonable hourly rate.

Taking advantage of the instructors’ wealth of knowledge is all part of the Fitness First ethos, and upon joining all new members are matched with a member of staff according to their personality – rather like a dating agency, instead with this system you’ll be working on reaching your fitness goals, rather than improving your chat-up lines.

This attention to the individual was exemplified as the enthusiastic manager Dan Fivey took us on a grand tour of the facilities, greeting members on a first name basis, as we were introduced to the wealth of equipment including treadmills, steppers, bikes, free and fixed weights in the gym. And in a particular coup for this centrally-located fitness emporium, we were pleasantly surprised to also discover the addition of a decent-sized pool – being enjoyed by a few older ladies swimming laps to kick start the day – which is the setting of regular aqua aerobics classes no less.

With inspirational mottos lining the walls, ‘Motivation – A strong mind starts with a fit body’ and ‘Energy – the more you give, the more you get back’, Fitness First Cheltenham is decidedly dedicated to helping members do exactly that – put their fitness first. And while it was already clear why so many members have signed up to lose weight, get fit and feel healthier over the last few years, today The Brewery’s unparalleled selection of bars and restaurants under the gaze of the gym make the proposition all the more attractive for new members.

Don’t miss the Fitness First Cheltenham photo gallery and, to find out more about joining the gym for yourself, visit fitnessfirst.co.uk, email cheltenham@fitnessfirst.com or call (01242) 545740.

James Fryer
20 April 2008