Sally Gunnell OBE has opened a new £0.25m gym at Abbeycroft Leisure's Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre (11 February).

Sally, an Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth gold medallist, is the only woman in history to hold all four major track titles concurrently for the 400 metres hurdles plus the world record. She is also a Team GB 2012 Ambassador.

Sally's appearance was the highlight of the Centre's open weekend (11/12 February) during which the community tried out the new gym facilities and some of the popular classes the Centre has to offer. Sally, an Ambassador for Matrix Fitness, also met customers during an autograph and photograph session.

Sally said: "I am really pleased to see such fantastic facilities at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre being used to the full."

Abbeycroft Leisure has signed a three-year deal with Matrix Fitness install equipment in all of its facilities.

The Centre's new gym, managed by Abbeycroft in partnership with St Edmundsbury Borough Council, features 110 pieces of the latest gym equipment from Matrix Fitness. This includes cardiovascular products featuring Virtual Active by Matrix, a revolutionary workout experience that simulates climbing, running and hiking along some of the world's most beautiful landmarks.

Jon Johnston, MD of Johnson Health Tech UK, commented: "After working closely with Abbeycroft Leisure for the past two years, and equipping their sites in Haverhill, Ipswich, and more recently Bury St Edmunds, we were delighted to be offered the opportunity to extend our relationship over the longer term.

"The level of Abbeycroft's investment in their centres demonstrates their commitment to the health and wellbeing of the local community, and we look forward to helping them achieve their vision of delivering excellence through innovation and quality, via our state-of-the art fitness equipment."

The new Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre gym features a functional training area which includes a TRX suspension training zone, Power Plate® zone, and new kettle bells, powerbags and viper training bars. Members can also plug in their iPods and watch television while working out on the new Matrix cardio machines.

Matt Hickey, Abbeycroft's Fitness Manager, said: "The new gym and Matrix Fitness kit is already proving a hit with members and was designed from their wish list of equipment. As a leisure trust and social enterprise, Abbeycroft Leisure ploughs all profits made back into providing health and fitness and this has allowed us to provide this fantastic facility."

In December, a Government survey revealed that St Edmundsbury has the highest increase in adult sport participation in the country, and is among the top areas for active young people, women and disability sports.Sport England's Active People Survey (APS), uses the largest sample ever established for a sport and recreation survey, which allows detailed analysis of sport participation. The latest figures show that between 2006 and 2011 St Edmundsbury had the highest increase in adult sport participation in the country, the highest participation by young people and women in the East and the lowest non-participation in East Anglia.

Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cabinet member for Culture and Sport, said: "I am very impressed with the high standard of equipment and instruction, and the enthusiasm of the many different users. The high quality and affordability of the facilities makes them very attractive."