GYMOPHOBICS Redditch has been crowned the best ladies only gym in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony in Manchester.

The gym picked up the trophy for the UK Ladies Only Gym of the Year at the National Fitness Awards, which took place at the Palace Hotel on December 6, hosted by presenter and former TV Gladiator Caroline Pearce.

The awards – organised by fitness industry magazine Workout and supported by headline sponsor Servicesport – are now in their fourth year and recognise excellence and achievement throughout the fitness industry.

To win the award, Gymophobics Redditch beat off competition from hundreds of entries from clubs around the country who were whittled down to a shortlist of six in each category. Each shortlisted club, from The Shetland Islands down to Cornwall, was then visited by a member of the Workout team, who chatted to staff and members and took a look around the facilities, before compiling a comprehensive report to be passed on to an expert judging panel.

This year’s judges included The Biggest Loser personal trainer Charlotte Ord and top fitness expert Dean Hodgkin.

Judges said: "Gymophobics in Redditch is an innovative club focused on ensuring members are really happy, as well as doing their bit for the local community through charity events, school events and work with the Redditch Mental Health Group.

"Gymophobics is much more than just a gym. It was very clear staff make a huge impact on members’ happiness, not just their fitness levels.”

More than 700 people, including Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, attended the glittering awards ceremony, where trophies were handed out in over 20 categories.

Gymophobics has also been shortlisted for two further awards, organised by the franchise’s head office in Stafford. Staff in Redditch will discover on January 4 if they have won in the ‘Gym of the Year’ and/or ‘Best Community Involvement’ categories.

Director Zoe Cooke said: "This is a very exciting time for the gym. It is wonderful to have our hard work formally recognised and our members are as delighted as we are with these achievements."