Fitness fanatics, bodybuilders and local athletes can now reap the rewards of the refurbished gym at Blackshots Impulse Leisure.

The state-of-the-art gymnasium costing almost £500,000 has been built on the original gym site at Blackshots Lane, Grays.

It was officially opened at a champagne buffet reception attended by the mayor of Thurrock Gerard Rice.

The new gym building is twice the size of its predecessor and includes more than 100 workout stations.

Fitness equipment includes a mix of cardio and resistance training stations.

The gym, is owned by Thurrock Community Leisure Limited - a non-profit-making distributing organisation trading as Impulse Leisure.

Published Tuesday January 13, 2004