All-inclusive gym opens in Portsmouth

The John Pounds Centre, in Queen Street, Portsea, welcomed Portsmouth South MP Flick Drummond to officially open the new facility.

The gym features a wide range of fitness equipment, such as resistance machines, functional glide machines and recumbent bikes, specially chosen to allow disabled people the opportunity to stay fit and healthy.

Project manager Paul Hutchings said: ‘Everyone will benefit from the new gym, especially those living with disabilities or who are rehabilitating after a serious illness or injury. We’d like to thank Mrs Drummond for taking the time to help us celebrate this great new facility.’

Mrs Drummond said: ‘I’m really excited about the new equipment, which will make a big difference to people with disabilities.’

Centre director, Matt Mason said: ‘It’s about everyone training together. It’s a space where there are no barriers to taking part.’

Jude Caunter, a qualified instructor and wheelchair user, is leading the fitness scheme, with first-hand knowledge of the difficulties people in wheelchairs face when wanting to work out.

Jude, from Farlington, said: ‘The new equipment is going down very well with new and current members.

‘Anyone and everyone is welcome, we have equipment suitable for everyone.’

Funding for the equipment came from The Veolia Trust, which received a grant of £30,589 from the Landfills Communities Fund.

Paul Taylor, the executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, added: ‘We support community and environmental projects across the UK and it is always great to hear about the opening of one we have helped.

‘I hope this great new gym is used and enjoyed by all for many years to come.’

The John Pounds Centre opened in 2006. As well as the fitness suite, facilities include a multi-use sports hall, IT training room, library, community cafe, youth and art spaces, nursery, dentist and small business hub.