A NEW fitness studio offering group workouts could be opening in Bingley, if a planning application is granted by Bradford Council.

The new gym would be based at Castlefields Industrial Estate, run by fitness brand Fitness Fruition, and could create six new jobs in the area.

The gym would be a franchise of YourZone45, and will be only the fifth gym in the country, and the first based outside South East of England.

In the application’s planning statement, it said the new gym would offer a “fitness experience like no other”.

It said: “The YourZone45 concept fits a niche between gyms, personal trainers and fitness classes and combines the best aspects of all 3 to create a 45 minute group personal training and weight loss workout in a gym environment.

“It runs set sessions at set times every day.

“Each session is led by a fully qualified personal trainer and uses a variety of training methods in a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere whilst providing the member with valuable nutritional advice.

“The sessions are designed for all ages and fitness levels from people who have never used a gym before to the very experienced.

“The concept will make YourZone45 different from any other gym in the area.”

In the application, it also said memberships and classes will be affordable for all due to “stripping out unnecessary costs”.

If successful, it is planned the gym would run up to 50 sessions per week at set times between 6.30am and 9pm on weekdays, and 8am to 12pm on weekends.

“The YourZone45 proposal would be a good use of the proposed unit and will benefit the local community as an alternative fitness and weight loss facility,” it added.

“It will be something totally different for the Bingley area. The use is appropriate to the location and would make good use of what is an underused premises.”

The unit has ten off-road parking spaces, and would have an extra eight spaces in evenings due to a landlord agreement.

Councillor John Pennington (Conservative, Bingley) said while he welcomes an initiative to get people more active, he does have some concerns over the proposal.

He said: “It is a good thing promoting fitness, but we already have fitness centres in the town.

“There is one at the swimming pool which I will admit isn’t very good, then there is Amazon just off Main Street and I think there is one more somewhere else.

“So, I have to question whether we are already catered for.

“Also, when I saw the application I was a little concerned that Castlefields might become more retail when it is supposed to be industrial.”

If the application is successful, Cllr Pennington did admit it is unlikely he will be paying a visit.

“I’m not the most active person, plus have you seen me in Lycra? We want to encourage people to go, not scare them off,” he joked.

Consultation is open on the application until Thursday, June 22, and to comment visit the Council planning website or write to the Planning Service at Britannia House, Hall Ings, BD1 1HX, quoting planning reference 17/03072/FUL.