LA Fitness has unveiled plans to open a chain of weight loss centres alongside announcing results ahead of market expectations.

The company will launch its first centre in the next four weeks next to its Bedford club.

The £75,000 facility will offer classes and courses for those people who are reluctant to join a health club said chief executive Fred Turok.

The concept revolves around prescribed exercise courses which will include pre- and post-natal, stress management and weight management.

Running for six to 12 weeks, the courses will cost £5-7 per session and there is a money back guarantee for clients who don’t see results.

The centres will be smaller than traditional LA Fitness clubs ranging from 2,000 to 4,000sq ft and will also be less intimidating with no mirrors and only easy-to-use equipment. Experienced exercise professionals will guide clients through the exercises.

The company aims to open three clubs in a six-month trial and if successful, the concept will be rolled out across the UK.

It expects to invest from £75,000 to £250,000 in each facility and so believes the concept is well suited for local community locations. “There should be one of these in every supermarket and every hospital,” said Turok.

The company said turnover for the year was up by 20 per cent to £79.6m and reported a 27 per cent jump in pre-tax profits before exceptionals to £9.1m.

Membership grew a fifth to more than 200,000.

“There are so many rumours about health and fitness clubs struggling, it’s about time the industry had something to shout about,” said Turok.

“Our results show that if you’ve got your management and systems right, it’s good out there.”