THE fitness chain founded 20 years ago by former Dragons' Den star and entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne says it is nearing completion on a £1.2 million upgrade of what is its first investment in Northern Ireland.
The Bannatyne Group acquired the 3,700-member Virgin Active Health club in Holywood last November, and its revamp of the facility includes the creation of a new purpose-built spa and relaxation room, which is due to open in late October.
The spa will have 10 treatment beds, including two dual rooms, manicure and pedicure areas and a relaxation area with water beds and heated loungers for the ultimate experience.
The gym floor will also be totally revamped with the installation of state of the art Technogym equipment and a functional training area.
The centre piece of the functional training area is the Outrace Rig, which is designed to maximise members’ interaction allowing multiple users to work together to improve their strength, endurance, stability, flexibility, coordination and speed.
A Speedflex studio will be created to enable members to benefit from the innovative low-impact, high-intensity fitness classes.
Bannatyne Belfast will be the only health club in Northern Ireland to offer the group-based session, which takes place in a dedicated studio, is led by a personal trainer and gives a full body, cardio and resistance workout with reduced, or no, post-exercise pain.
Justin Musgrove, chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said: “When we acquired the health club in Belfast we assured members that we would bring equipment and facilities that are of the highest standard to help them achieve their fitness, health and wellbeing goals more effectively, and we are delivering on this.
“We are proud to be bringing the Bannatyne Spa brand to Northern Ireland and I'm sure members and guests will enjoy the new fitness and relaxation opportunities this investment will bring.”
