Sheffield's most popular health and fitness scheme is to be expanded for the second time in six months offering more people the chance to train at one of the city's leading sports venues.

The Fitness Unlimited gym the English Institute of Sport-Sheffield (EIS Sheffield) is set to undergo a major transformation as part of a ten-week refurbishment project.

Under a six figure plan, it will be fully refurbished with the very latest Technogym fitness equipment, a new group fitness studio and new changing rooms.

Fitness Unlimited is operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV) and was recently rolled out into EIS Sheffield when the company was awarded the management contract earlier this year.

EIS Sheffield is one of five venues available for the 14,500 members to use. Fitness Unlimited also provides access to Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Don Valley Stadium and Concord Sports Centre.

Paul Hudson, general manager of EIS Sheffield, said: "We pride ourselves on a total commitment to customer care and our aim is to provide facilities which exceed our customers' expectations

"New and improved gym equipment and a group fitness studio is exactly what our members have asked us for so we are delighted to be able to deliver this project."

As an elite and community venue, the gym is used by 2012 athletes such as Jessica Ennis and the GB boxing squad as well as members of SIV's GP referral scheme and the On Track: Sheffield scheme for teenage cancer patients.

Paul added: "The state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment will include machines with personalised TV screens and the fitness studio will mean we can put on even more classes such as Zumba, which are incredibly popular with members.

"This is a fantastic new development and it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to continually improving facilities and providing even more opportunities for people to get involved with physical activity."

Work on the project gets underway on October 17 and the new gym will reopen to the public on December 24.

Current members will have access to a temporary gym, created in the athletics arena at EIS Sheffield and they can also use SIV's other Fitness Unlimited sites at Ponds Forge, Concord, Hillsborough and Don Valley.