FIT IN YOUR GYM WORK OUT IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS

When Vern Montgomery launched 24Hr Gym in Hillmead, he decided it needed two major selling points.

The first was a DJ booth in the middle of the gym playing dance tunes three nights a week, and the second was to be open all night.

Wander in at 2am and you'll find the gym has a totally different feel from peak hours in the daytime.

The lighting is subdued and the music, while still pumping, has a more mellow edge.

In a few months time members will be able to access the centre at night with a pass card without a member of staff being present.

Mr. Montgomery said: "Gyms have to evolve. You've got to give people what they want and something new get them talking about you.

"It goes quiet from 2am to 5am. We get a few doormen come in overnight, some Honda workers and taxi drivers.

"Most of the people coming between midnight and 6am are regulars. You need to form a habit, once you've formed the habit it becomes the natural thing to do."

Honda worker Malcolm Drewitt, 43, from Drove Road joined 24Hr Gym last week.

He said: "I've been on some medication that made me put on weight so I needed to exercise, and because I often work the 3.30pm to 11.30pm shift the opening is convenient for me.

It's very friendly. I've been at three different times of the day but late at night is what suits me. Swindon is up there with London as a 24 hour city. When they change the licensing laws we will start to fall in line with Europe, where you can go out at 10pm and have a drink and leisurely meal."

Mark Denman, 26, a lecturer at Wiltshire College from Westlea said: "I've been working out late for at least two years now.

"All the equipment is free and fits in with my lifestyle. I can come home from work and have something to eat and not rush to the gym.

"I normally come between 11pm and 3am. It's more relaxed because I like to run to the gym it's better as there are no cars on the road."

Swindon Advertiser, 10th October 2003

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