A ‘BRAND revolution’ at Bournemouth-based global company Fitness First has seen the refurbishment of the gym where the business started.

The business, which began locally in 1993, has upgraded the interior of its clubs and their external branding.

Fitness First says the clubs have been given a “fresh, punchy, sporty look, which complements the innovative, yet easy-to-use, new technology on offer throughout all Fitness First gyms”.

The business now operates 377 clubs in 16 countries, reaching more than 990,000 members. It has 77 clubs in the UK, with 2,000 staff and 189,000 members. The revamp has also seen Fitness First design a range of workout techniques designed to keep users motivated and test their fitness boundaries. There are 41 freestyle classes to choose from over a week, based around five key drills.

Rob Morison, general manager of Fitness First Bournemouth, said: “For years we have seen many people start fitness routines with every intention to maintain a healthier lifestyle but fail without the right support in place. With our new staff training programme, fitness product and facilities at Fitness First Bournemouth, we believe that our skilled team are there to allow members to feel welcome, safe, inspired and not intimidated.”

Mr Morison said many customers did not realise the company originated in Bournemouth.

The company has also introduced new Team GB Pro Athlete workouts, to give members a taste of what training like a Team GB athlete could feel like. Classes mimic movements from various areas of sport, including field, track, gymnastics, football, basketball, boxing and Olympic lifting. The chain is Team GB’s first ever official fitness partner, supporting athletes on the road to Rio 2016.

The chain, which has seen the rise in recent years of budget gyms, claimed last year there was a lack of staff and expertise in many UK gyms.

It said there was no industry standard on the minimum level of supervision and expertise required on gym floors.