Pleasant Shokk at Heywood Sports Village

Fitness circuit class instructors Ali and Luke with Shokk participants

Fitness facilities for children and young people at Heywood Sports Village have seen a big improvement with the launch this weekend of a new youth gym.

The improved SHOKK gym has been created by knocking two rooms into one to double the size available. A range of new equipment has also been installed and the gym got a popular 'thumbs up' from the fifty or more children who were there to try it out.

SHOKK gym equipment is designed especially for young people and it is an 'adult free' area for 8-15 year olds. The room has a mixture of cardio and weights machines with stretching and warm up areas and is equipped with television, sound systems and computer-based workout videos.

Duty Manager, Sue Moncaster explained: "Young people can move up to the main adult gym at 16 and this is good preparation for that as many of the exercises they do here are similar. SHOKK have made sure everything is very easy to use and it prohibits any child over exercising so parents can be sure it is safe and fun. It's a really great alternative way for children to be more active."