THE DIRECTOR of Bournemouth’s beachfront gym says it is helping to transform people’s lives, following its first successful games last month.

Who Dares Gym, located at Canford Cliffs, held its first ever competition on August 21.

The contest was similar to the Cross Fit Games hekld in America but “much harder”, according to one competitor.

She added: "As first competitions go, this is pretty up there.

“Imagine taking every notoriously hard military selection exercise and putting them all together in one competition.

“Well, that’s exactly what the guys at Who Dares Gyms did and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

“Pushing yourself to a whole other level not just for the chance at first place but to see just how far you can really go.”

The gym on the shores of Bournemouth beach is run by a former member of the elite Special Boat Service and its classes, like their Commando Bootcamps, are ran by real Marines for all ages.

Following the gym’s inaugural competition, former Britoish soldier and Who Dares Wins star Jason Carl Fox visited Who Dares Gyms for a Q&A hosted by Chanel 4 charity Rock2Recovery.

The event helped raise £1,749.20 for the veteran’s charity.

As well as promoting competition, the gym is also working to support those with mental health issues.

The outdoor gym has been running mental fitness classes called ‘Beat Life’ run by a Royal Marine Officer with the aim to teach participants to take control of their day-to-day stresses.

People can also take part in meditation and yoga classes, as well as self-defence open exclusively for woman.

The Director of Who Dares Gyms said: "Clinically it has been proven that doing exercise outdoors releases twice as my endorphins as doing exercise indoors.

“From our own members’ feedback, we have literally 'changed their lives'.

“That's mission success in our eyes."

Who Dares Gym closes in October, with people able to attend though Pay As You Go day passes as well as memberships.

For the rest of the time the gym is open, serviceman in Dorset can collect free memberships for Who Dares Gyms, thanks to the gym’s other associated charity REORG charity.