Virtual class roll-out for county health drive

The virtual classes will be delivered at centres across the county

Virtual exercise class studios are being rolled out across Wiltshire by the county council to boost physical and mental health.

The sessions will be on large screens rather than in-person, and feature various classes that include lifting weights and cycling.

They are being installed by Wiltshire Council across the county's leisure centres to offer fitness opportunities to more people.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling said: "We’re really keen to encourage people in Wiltshire to invest in themselves and keep physically, socially and mentally active."

The studios where the classes, run by Les Mills instructors, will be are:

• Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham

• The Activity Zone in Malmesbury

• Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury

• Nadder Centre in Tisbury

• Springfield Community Campus in Corsham

• The Vale in Pewsey.

• Tidworth Leisure Centre.

Free virtual classes are being offered to residents for the rest of August, and from September they will be charged.

Mr Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for leisure, said: “They are an addition that offers more fitness opportunities to those people who can’t make it to our classes at peak times, such as shift workers and parents of young children.

“We’re really keen to encourage people in Wiltshire to invest in themselves and keep physically, socially and mentally active, that’s why we’re investing into our leisure centres and increasing our fitness classes."