'It's splashing!': Members welcome re-opening of leisure centres in Skegness

Since the start of lockdown, the 1,500 members of Fresh Fitness have been keeping fit by cycling, running and taking part in the video workouts provided by the instructors.

And according to manager Mark Belton, there have been some amazing results - with one woman doing all the classes and losing more than 11 stones.

However, on Saturday the staff at the gym and pool at Richmond Leisure Centre were able to welcome at least some of the members back due to restricted numbers and social distancing.

"It's fantastic to be open again," said Mark. "All the way through my phone has been going with members asking 'when do you think you will re-open?'

"During lockdown we have been posting our videos and workouts and motivating members with personalised programmes.

"We've tried to be as pro-active as possible."

Skegness Tri Club member Michyla Clark was delighted to be back in the pool.

"It's amazing to be back. The cleanliness - so impressed, staff are so committed to all the Covid-19 guidance and I'm so pleased they have been able to open.

"Even the water temperature has been spot on.

"The staff amazing as ever, just reminding you where to put your belongings, which lane to go to, no overtaking - everything to keep us safe."

The centre is completing a phased re-opening with pre-booking for allocated one-hour time slots, allowing a 45-minute workout or swim and 15 minutes for deep cleaning..

There are separate entrances to reception for the gym and pool. The gym layout has been altered accordingly in line with social distancing guidelines and the pool is being run on an alternative lane swim to general swim, alternating throughout each day.

Changing rooms remain closed and users arrive and leave in gym attire or swimwear.

Spas, sauna and sunbed will remain closed until further notice. All other services such as PTs, classes, groups and 121 lessons, club sessions and pool inflatable will also remain closed.

NEW SMOOTHIE BAR FOR PHOENIX FITNESS MEMBERS

A new smoothie and juice bar welcomed members when they returned to Phoenix Fitness.

During lockdown members have been keeping fit by securing and relocating to an outdoor gym in Addlethorpe, as well as having access to online classes - but instructor Jack Johnson says he is incredibly happy now he has been able to re-open the gym.

Other highlights included online classes and training, organising dozens of community boosting competitions and events, raising more than £10,000 for charity.

"We as a community have managed to beat the closure, develop and make big improvements, Including new 24-hour system, smoothie and juice bar and the new reception area with our slogan #phoenix family, who we would not be here without!," Jack said.

"Members have been incredible taking to new guidelines, temperature checks, sanitising hands, one-way system and other changes.

"We now aim to improve all members mental and physical well being.

"This has been incredibly hard time for so many.

"We are now including free weekly mental health walks for the elderly - male, female and mixed groups - to get people back out beating social anxiety."

SKEGNESS POOL AND FITNESS SUITE

The outdoor swimming pool on Grand Parade opened for Skegness Swimming Club just ovr a week ago.

A number of one-hour casual swimming sessions have been offered to 'members only'.

Online booking is required for these sessions

A casual swim and summer holiday pool programme is being further developed.

The indoor swimming pool and flume are likely to remain closed until September 1.

Swimming lessons are being planned to resume in early September.

£10m CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE OBESITY

The re=opening of gyms and leisure centres comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to launch a £10m campaign to tackle the UK's obesity crisis.

The drive to get the nation fitter and eating more healthily comes after a warning from experts that it is “the single most important modifiable risk factor” in fighting Covid-19.

Risks of hospitalisation, intensive care treatment and death all increase when patients are overweight," experts claim.

The government wants to reverse the bad dietary habits many people have lapsed into during the lockdown,

The campaign, called Better Health, aims to reverse the bad dietary habits many people have lapsed into during the lockdown. It will include advertisements on TV and radio, on billboards, online and in traditional print media.