More than £1million is being invested into a new state-of-the-art fitness centre on the Granby Industrial Estate.

The redundant office space at Leanne House on Avon Close has been transformed into a large gymnasium which will be opening in early 2018.

Zone Fitness will occupy in excess of 19,000 square feet and is expected to generate 13 new jobs.

It is a joint business venture between Mickey Jones of DJ Property and Andrew Dick of Blue Fitness, who has extensive experience in the fitness industry spanning more than 30 years.

Mr Dick said: “I am delighted to partner with Mickey. His vast experience in the property industry and my 30 years plus in the fitness industry make us a formidable team which will create the biggest and the best gym in South Dorset.

"We are using the best quality gym equipment available and the latest technology in fitness apps.

"I have designed the gym with specifically 'zoned' areas in mind, so that if you wanted to work on a specific area of your body, then all the relevant equipment would all be located within that specific area.”

The fitting out process is now underway at Zone Fitness with all windows and doors being replaced and previous fixtures and fittings have been removed.

A new air conditioning and air handling system has been installed to keep the gym environment consistent at all times. Mildren Construction is heading up the project and all of the internal fitness equipment is on order.

Many local businesses have been contracted to supply services and equipment for the new fitness facility.

The gym will also provide 150 car parking spaces.

Mr Jones added: “Zone Fitness is just what South Dorset has been waiting for. This will be a large facility that can cope with up to 4,000 members, exactly what is required to satisfy the huge local demand. This is another piece of vital local infrastructure, like Aldi at Link Park, which raises the attractiveness of the Granby as a place to work and Chickerell as a place to live.

"Everybody needs to exercise to help maintain good health and with Zone Fitness close to so many places of work and homes, it could not be easier.

"A massive investment has been made in the very best exercise equipment and training facilities, creating something we can be very proud of. We are all very excited for the opening in early 2018. I am pleased that DJ Property is making a major investment in this project, something that will bring so much to so many.”

Global trading brand, Less Mills, will also be used at Zone Fitness.

Kirsty Van Deurs Goss, the new customer experience manager at Zone Fitness said: “It is very important that individual relationships are built between our instructors and our fitness customers.

"Each studio training schedule will take inspiration from the Les Mills training schedules but will be tailored for individual’s needs. "We have the highest quality fitness equipment in the area, and this coupled with experienced fitness instructors Zone Fitness promises to be the place to be for first class personal fitness”.

For more information and to keep up to date on the development of the facility search Zone Fitness Weymouth on Facebook.