A popular city gym is undergoing refurbishment works totalling over £125,000 that are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Phoenix Gym commenced work late last year to update its facilities with new lighting systems, flooring, equipment and an extension. 

Owner Mark Bone, 44, said: "A lot of thought has gone into this to give people what they really want.

"More variety of machines, keeping people motivated, the works really take it up a notch."

Norwich Evening News: Phoenix Gym in Norwich has undergone £125k of refurbishments, including new equipment, lighting and facilities.Phoenix Gym in Norwich has undergone £125k of refurbishments, including new equipment, lighting and facilities. (Image: Phoenix Gym)

As part of the refurbishment, £75,000 of new built-to-order weight-lifting and cardio equipment will be fitted and £12,000 has been spent on a new lighting system which Mark says he hopes will save the gym £100 a week on energy bills. 

The Oak Street gym, like many businesses, has been affected by a downtrend in spending habits as a result of climbing inflation rates.

"We lost a few members to the cost of living crisis but overall we're off to a good start," Mark said about the start of the year. "We saw double the click-through rate following the announcement of the refurb on social media and lots of new members joining."

Undeterred by competition posed by cheaper 'budget' gym chains such as Pure Gym and The Gym, Mark said: "We usually lose 20 to 30 members every time a new budget gym opens but we're not worried.

Norwich Evening News: Phoenix Gym will see updated flooring, lighting, stereo systems and cardio equipment in the refurbishment works due to be completed in the next four weeks.Phoenix Gym will see updated flooring, lighting, stereo systems and cardio equipment in the refurbishment works due to be completed in the next four weeks. (Image: Phoenix Gym)

"Budget gyms are great for those who are interested in getting into exercise and  eventually we see people come to us looking for better-equipped spaces when they get experienced enough."

Mark is proud of the changes Phoenix Gym has made to become more of an approachable space for people.

"When we took over the gym there were about 150 members and only one of them was a woman. Now 50pc of our members are female.

"We've spent over £500,000 in the last 10 years getting the gym to where it is now, going from only two rooms to five and a whole lot more equipment."

The gym has remained open throughout the work and is due to reach completion in the next four weeks, with new members currently not having to pay the usual £15 joining fee.