Delight as Waterlooville gym takes top prize in The News' Gym of Year contest

Gym staff at Horizon Leisure Centre in Waterlooville are jumping for joy after scooping the top prize in this year’s Gym of The Year competition, run by The News.

The accolade comes after Horizon also came first last year for its facility in Havant.

Hundreds of gym-goers have been voting for their favourite gym in the Portsmouth area over the past few weeks.

Waterlooville Leisure Centre, in Waterberry Drive, was built in 1991 and had a fairly small gym.

But two years ago Horizon decided to build a large extension at a cost of almost £4m.

The new state-of-the-art gym is on three levels and has a dedicated army of clients, ranging from bodybuilders to pensioners.

Gym-goer Sam Barrett, 49, said: ‘I love the new gym.

‘The staff are friendly and I enjoy the classes at 7am as they are great to do before work. There are now no excuses not to exercise here.’

Teri Pope, 28, said: ‘The facilities are amazing – always clean and look good.

‘The staff are really friendly and always happy to help.’

Terry Baker, 50, said: ‘There’s a good variety of equipment in the gym and a nice lay-out.’

Howard Broad, chief executive of Horizon Leisure Centres, said: ‘This is yet another fantastic achievement for Horizon Leisure Centres and we are delighted to have won The News’ prestigious award of Gym of the Year for the second year running.

‘Winning this award is particularly pleasing as it’s our members that have voted for it – it’s the greatest compliment you can receive.

‘Our aim as a charity is to provide the best-value leisure facilities possible accessible to all and to help make life better for our customers and the local community.

‘Since opening the new gyms, both have been shortlisted for a national gym of the year award and local gym of the year awards.’

The runners-up in the competition were all from Gosport. Second prize went to Curves Gym, third prize went to Anytime Fitness and fourth was Gosport Leisure Centre.