Health club operator Fitness First is to make 24 of its sites more accessible as part of a strategy to attract more disabled members.

The group is one of the first commercial operators hoping to commit to the schemes set up by the IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiatives) and the NSF (National Sports Foundation).

The Scheme will see the gyms have disabled access routes and ramps to allow easier access to the buildings along with lifts to help members move between floors.

John Gamble Fitness First managing director said; "We are thrilled to be working with the IFI in modifying selected clubs to accommodate disabled people. Fitness First is committed to making the world a fitter place with no exclusions and we are pleased to be making these changes with immediate effect. It is a landmark step forward for the fitness industry and we are proud to be the first major health group to offer them".

The first clubs to be accredited will be Bath, Baker Street, Beckenham, Bedford, Brentwood, Bristol Harbourside, Cheltenham and Hillsborough in Sheffield.