New mini gym aims to start fitness early

YOUNGSTERS can get fit using mini versions of the equipment their parents use at a Basingstoke gym.

Beechdown Health and Fitness Club, in Winchester Road, runs the two classes - called Mel's Movers - each week in its mini gym.

The classes - one aimed at five to seven-year-olds and the other for eight to 10-year-olds - run every Thursday and use Gymkids equipment, including miniature treadmills, airwalkers, rowing machines and cycling machines.

Outside of class times, the equipment remains available within the health club for children to use in their own time.

Instructor Melanie Crook hopes that this will encourage children to keep fit from a young age.

She said: "It makes the kids feel all grown-up as they mimic what their parents do. They have seen their parents in the gym and copy them.