Suffolk-based leisure trust Abbeycroft Leisure has opened a new budget gym in the heart of Ipswich offering state-of-the-art workout stations for a fraction of the price of other fitness facilities in the town.

The Gym Ipswich opened on Monday January 24 in the former St Matthews Baths in Civic Drive after a major refurbishment of the building.

One hundred Matrix fitness stations have been installed including the brand new Virtual Active experience, a revolutionary workout experience which simulates climbing, running and hiking along some of the world's most beautiful landmarks including Ayers Rock and the Grand Canyon.

Ipswich's world number one compound archer, Commonwealth gold medallist and Olympic hopeful Nicky Hunt will officially open The Gym Ipswich on Thursday 17 February.

Abbeycroft Leisure, which manages both Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centres in Suffolk in partnership with St Edmundsbury Borough Council, will be one of a handful of leisure trusts in the UK to branch out and develop an affordable fitness model. The new gym will offer a high quality gym at an affordable price, starting at just £12.99 per month with no joining fee.

Warren Smyth, Chief Executive of Abbeycroft Leisure, a social enterprise, said: "We are extremely excited by this project. Ipswich is a large market town in Suffolk and the current fitness offering is quite limited.

"The more affordable fitness is the more people will start taking exercise and that can only be a good thing for the UK where 62% of Britons are already obese or overweight.

"We have seen an opportunity here and as a social enterprise, we will plough all profits made from the gym into providing health and fitness."

Abbeycroft has been working on the project with Leeds-based Your Management Solutions Limited, a leading consultancy service specialising in the leisure industry.

Jamie Lyne, Managing Director of Your Management Solutions Limited, said: "This is a very exciting project for Abbeycroft and I think a very entrepreneurial move for them. Affordable fitness is an area that is growing rapidly and I think this model will almost certainly be taken up by other leisure trusts. Abbeycroft is among those leisure trusts who are leading the way.

"The most rewarding part of our efforts is seeing people who have never exercised before participating in growing numbers and many from the target groups that social enterprises should be targeting. For this I applaud Abbeycroft Leisure."