Youth gym success in Nottinghamshire

Following the successful introduction of a SHOKK gym at its Dukeries Leisure Centre a year ago, Newark and Sherwood District Council has opened two further youth gyms and plans to unveil a fourth by Easter.

The two new gyms have now opened at Southwell and Grove leisure centres, with the third site planned for Rainworth.

Andy Carolan, head of leisure for the council in Nottinghamshire, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the Dukeries gym, but we wanted to go even further, which is why we decided to open a SHOKK gym at all four of our larger sites.”

The gyms are primarily targeted at 10- to 13-year-olds but the equipment can be used by anyone between the ages of eight and 16. Membership is available but most users take advantage of the pay and play option.

SHOKK’s managing director, Jonathan Williams, said: “The youth fitness sector is extremely buoyant at the moment, we’re seeing real demand for both youth fitness equipment and consultancy from both the public and private sectors. Since Dukeries opened, we’ve witnessed the concept really take off in the local area.”

With the opening of Newark and Sherwood, there are now 30 SHOKK sites in the UK.