The Mayor of Dorchester was among those putting their best feet forward when given a tour of a gym’s new facilities.

1610 Dorchester Sports Centre officially reopened yesterday following a £284,000 refurbishment.

Two new studios have been installed at the centre including a multi-sensory PRAMA fitness studio and an interactive group cycling studio.

The refurbishment was made possible through a funding partnership with West Dorset District Council enabling the centre to increase the number of classes available.

Chairman of West Dorset District Council Peter Shorland and the Mayor of Dorchester David Taylor were joined by England water polo star Poppy Elliman to cut the ribbon to officially open the new facilities.

The centre’s general manager Wayne Long and CEO of 1610 Tim Nightingale showed off some of the new fitness bikes while the ribbon was cut.

Cllr David Taylor said: “This is the first time I have been here and it’s quite fantastic. I’m definitely going to be joining. It’s a great asset for the town.”

Cllr Taylor was given the opportunity to try a TANITA machine, which monitors health.

He said: “I have been on this machine, and apparently I’m pretty fit. It tells you how old you are. I will be 56 next Sunday, but it told me I’m 21!”

Poppy Elliman, 16, from Puddletown, is a member of England Water Polo’s under-17 team. She said she was very impressed with the new facilities.

She added: “It’s the first time I have seen the PRAMA studio, but I’ve been amazed. It’s going to be so much fun adding it to my weekly workouts.”

Poppy said gym membership has meant she has been able to keep up her water polo training while also attending training sessions in Bristol twice a week.

She added: “The gym has given me access to all the facilities and has been supporting me through my training. It’s taken a lot of pressure off me and my mum.”

Mr Long said: “1610 was the first leisure company in the UK to install PRAMA at its centres in Somerset where it has enjoyed huge success. Since the refurbishment finished at the end of December members here in Dorchester been trying out the new facilities and it is going down a storm. The new facilities revolutionise the way to work out and are really fun to use, they are versatile and appeal to all ages. It uses touch screen technology in the best way possible and delivers a truly 21st century fitness experience for our local community.”

By investing in new technology, it is hoped the centre will be able to engage with a wider range of age groups within the West Dorset community.

Hit by setbacks:

The new facilities have been faced with a couple of setbacks since they opened to the public at the start of January.

Two of the sliders, which are part of the new PRAMA studio, have been left damaged after equipment was accidentally dropped on them, but Mr Long confirmed these are being fixed.

A couple of the studio’s lights had also been broken, but these have since been fixed.

Mr Long said: “When putting in new technology you expect a couple of hiccups in the first two weeks.”

The PRAMA studio is also being used for classes, including yoga and meditation, where the lights change to fit the mood. However, Mr Long said these can be adapted to people’s needs if they’re struggling with a certain type of lighting.

He also recommended that people who suffer with epilepsy should avoid using the PRAMA studio due to the flashing lights.