Bannatyne Group

A Folkestone health club is helping dispel the myth that lifting weights is ‘only for men wanting a traditional muscular physique’.

As a result, Bannatyne health club, on Shearway Business Park has launched weight-lifting classes dedicated to female participants.

The first ‘Ladies Who Lift’ session, was an ‘intro’ to the discipline and focused on how to safely use equipment and how weightlifting can become part of a fitness regime. It finished on the squat technique, which is the advice and guidance most requested by club members.

Following the success of the introductory lesson, classes now will be held on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6pm, with each week concentrating on a different exercise, showing variations and sharing tips and advice to get the best from the training.

Gavin Churchman,general manager at the Bannatyne health club Folkestone, said: “We always are looking at ways to meet the needs of our members and found there was a demand to provide women-only weightlifting coaching sessions.

“They are designed to help dispel the idea that lifting weights ‘is only for men after the traditional muscular physique.’

“It’s a myth that weightlifting makes women ‘too bulky’. Instead, these classes intend to help members on the way to building a strong, feminine physique, improve their all-round wellbeing and make them feel awesome.

“They will be small group instructional classes and suitable for both beginners, who feel nervous about lifting weights as well as those who are more experienced, who want to finetune their form.

“The focus is on teaching women how to weight train properly and safely, to achieve their fitness goals and help them increase their self-image and self-esteem.”

The Folkestone club offers the latest Technogym equipment, functional training, and has facilities including a 20-metre heated pool, a sauna and a café bar.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BANNATYNE GROUP

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

The Bannatyne Group operates 70 health clubs, 47 spas and four hotels. It is owned by Duncan Bannatyne OBE, who is also known for his appearances as a business angel on the BBC programme Dragons’ Den. The health clubs have around 200,000 members.

Bannatyne health clubs can be found in towns and cities throughout the UK, with a particularly strong presence near residential areas of large towns. They place a strong emphasis on wellbeing and exercise forming a central part of living a healthy lifestyle.

www.bannatyne.co.uk