HUNDREDS of gym goers flocked through the doors of a new leisure facility in the town earlier last week as it officially opened to the public.

The team at Snap Fitness Andover welcomed new members to the gym at Monro’s Corner, New Street, with a drinks reception and the opportunity to try out its state-of the-art equipment on Monday afternoon.

Ambassador for the gym, double Invictus Games medallist Ben Steele, and mayor of Andover Town Council Katherine Bird cut the ribbon to declare the centre open before visitors walked the red carpet to sign up and explore the new two-storey fitness space.

Co-director, Maria O’Keefe, said: “This is our sixth club we’ve opened in a year.

“It feels amazing to have opened a gym in Andover.

“Our inspiration came from wanting to provide fitness facilities in small towns that don’t have that accessibility and we wanted to offer it at a fair price which makes it accessible to more people.

Welcoming ambassador Ben on board, Maria added: “This is the first gym where we have an ambassador so it means a lot to have Ben on the team.”

Steph Bryant, area manager, added: “We are so excited to be in Andover.

“The biggest thing that sets us apart is that we care about our members.”

In the weeks before opening, hundreds of people signed up for membership, including the Andover Town Council mayor who came along to cut the ribbon to officially open the facility.

She said: “It is lovely to be part of something positive in the town that offers facilities close to the town centre and I’m looking forward to working my way round the equipment.”

The gym offers a range of cardio equipment for its customers along with pin-loaded and free weights as well as a functional rig and a variety of group exercise classes featuring spinning, HIIT, body combat, yoga and pilates.

Military veteran and amputee Ben was asked to be the club’s ambassador after he competed with the wheelchair rugby team at the 2014 and 2016 Invictus Games - the sporting championships for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel - where he won gold and bronze medals respectively.

He said: “I am honoured to be an ambassador for Snap Fitness.

“I hope the gym will inspire more people to take up sport.”

The club offers to its customers free parking, extended opening hours and individual shower cubicles, with personal hair dryers and straighteners for post-workout freshening up.

For more information about the newly-opened gym, visit snapfitness.co.uk/gyms/andover