A number of 'virtual exercise studios' have been added at leisure centres across Wiltshire as part of the council's series of improvements to leisure facilities.
'Virtual studios' use state-of-the-art technology and large 'cinema-style' screens to show exercise classes that users can follow along with, as opposed to having an in-person, leisure centre instructor in the room.
The studios already existed at the Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham and The Activity Zone in Malmesbury, and these studios have now been given upgrades with new technology.
On top of this, four new virtual studios have now been installed at Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury, Nadder Centre in Tisbury, Springfield Community Campus in Corsham and The Vale in Pewsey.
A virtual studio is also planned for installation at Tidworth Leisure Centre.
In an attempt to boost the popularity of these studios, Wiltshire Council is also offering free virtual classes for the rest of August, with virtual classes being priced at £3.70 per session from September.
“Running virtual classes in our studios, in addition to our regular weekly 450-plus live instructor-led classes, allows us to expand our timetable and offer these ever-popular classes throughout the day, every day," explained Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure.
"This gives our customers much more flexibility and choice to work out how they want when they want.
"These virtual classes won’t replace our in-person instructor-led classes. Instead, they are an addition that offers more fitness opportunities to those people who can’t make it to our classes at peak times.
"They are also perfect for newcomers to group fitness who wish to try out a session before joining a live class.
“We’re really keen to encourage people in Wiltshire to invest in themselves and keep physically, socially and mentally active, that’s why we’re investing into our leisure centres and increasing our fitness classes. We hope everyone will enjoy these latest additions and improvements as much as we do.”
Virtual classes will be available outside of the regular in-person timetable and can be booked for 30, 45 or 55-minute sessions.
The classes currently on offer include Body Pump, Body Combat, Body Attack and RPM cycling classes, and all classes will be delivered by Les Mills instructors with advice on how to perform the exercises safely and effectively.
These should be booked in advance directly with each leisure centre or online on the Wiltshire Council website.
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