A COLCHESTER gym has been transformed during lockdown, adding new facility for Covid survivors and those with Multiple Sclerosis.

Energyze Gym and Fitness Centre, in Greenstead Road, has used the past three months to redesign the equipment and layout of the premises.

The revamped premises now feature a special training area for MS sufferers and unique rehabilitation programmes are on offer to assist those who've had coronavirus.

Ray Rowley said: "When Energyze closed at the end of December we felt that although the gym area offered a lot of different equipment.

"It was a little bit mixed up and we set about organising an extensive refit of the whole area to make it even more convenient for members to work-out as they wish with all relevant equipment located in the same training area and carefully positioned to maintain social distancing at all times.”

The new rehabilitation programmes are designed to help those who have suffered the effects of long Covid, the debilitating condition which affects many who have had the virus.

Gazette: Transformed - the new training area for MS patients at Energyze Gym in Colchester

Symptoms of long Covid including fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety and depression and chest pains.

The new programme for Covid survivors at Energyze will encourage the public to get back to fitness through a series of supervised and monitored sessions.

Ray said: "It takes time to recover from this devastating virus which is why we have set up these special sessions to make sure that recovery exercising is taken at the correct pace.

"As far as we are aware very few local gyms, if any, are offering this sort of Covid recovery programme.”

Gazette: Ray RowleyRay Rowley

The new MS facilities include special training areas for those with the condition as well as other disabling physical conditions.

Ray added: "We recognise gyms can be a daunting prospect for those with restricting physical capabilities so we have designed a special area to make training much easier for them.”

Energyze offers personal training, fitness classes, strongman training as well as having a martial arts centre and ninja obstacle course.

There is also a dining area on the premises where fitness fanatics can choose their own protein, carbs and vegetables for specially prepared healthy meals by trained chefs.

For further information call 01206 870700, email hello@energyze.co.uk or visit energyze.co.uk/gym-and-fitness-centre.