Pictured above: (l-r) Julie Flynn, Lifestyles manager for
Coventry Sports Foundation, with former Hollyoaks actress Melissa
Walton
A Coventry leisure centre has proved it is in pole position when
it comes to innovative fitness classes after adding a famous face
to its membership list.
Former Hollyoaks actress Melissa Walton, from Binley in
Coventry, has become the latest member to join the Alan Higgs
Centre, in Allard Way, which is managed by Coventry Sports
Foundation.
The 20-year-old fitness fanatic, who played the character of
Loretta Jones in the Channel Four soap, was attracted to the centre
by the innovative health and fitness activities on offer.
One class which appealed to the actress was the pole fitness
class - something which would have proved useful to her during her
previous acting role which required her to undertake acrobatic
feats on a pole.
The pole fitness class is just one of a number of innovative
classes to be launched by Coventry Sports Foundation's Lifestyles
health and fitness brand which runs activities across its three
centres, the Xcel Leisure Centre, in Canley, and Centre AT7, in
Bell Green Road, as well as the Alan Higgs Centre.
Another session proving popular with members is the Latin
inspired dance-fitness Zumba, which has seen over 3,000 people take
part since it was launched in December.
Melissa said: "I live locally with my boyfriend and he has been
coming to the Alan Higgs Centre for the circuit training for a long
time and I decided to come along and have a look at the centre.
"I think it is really good here, they offer something for
everyone with the number of classes on offer - plus the staff and
instructors are very friendly.
"I was pleasantly surprised they had pole fitness classes here
as not many gyms do it, which is a shame because it is a really
good workout, and a nice break from the standard classes gyms tend
to offer.
"When you look at all the facilities on offer from Coventry
Sports Foundation across the city, you realise the membership is
really good value for money.
"I can't wait to try the Zumba class, I have lots of friends who
go and they have been telling me how good it is, plus I love
dancing!"
Lifestyles aims to improve the health and fitness of its members
in an enjoyable social environment - with the aim of offering
something to suit everyone.
Julie Flynn, Lifestyles manager for Coventry Sports Foundation,
said: "We are delighted that Melissa has become the latest person
to join us.
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways for our members
to improve their health and fitness - and classes such as pole
fitness and Zumba are perfect examples of this.
"Both have proved extremely popular with our members and we
would encourage people to come along and give it a try and find out
first-hand just how fun fitness can be!"