Virgin Active's Northampton club has opened what is reported to be the biggest health club-based Power Plate® studio in the world.

Launched in August of this year, the studio - the first in a company-wide refurbishment project - boasts 8 Power Plate® pro5™ machines, and offers a minimum of twelve Power Plate Classes per day.

Developed to optimise the effects of Acceleration Training™, the pro5 - which features an IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiative) accredited console - is designed to allow people of any age or fitness level to enjoy many of the benefits of regular exercise in three 15 minute sessions a week.

The Northampton studio offers its members a wide range of classes on the machines, taken by qualified Power Plate academy instructors, all inclusive in their membership.

As well as beginners, intermediate and advanced classes, the club offers a range of classes to meet the needs of all their members, from 'Fat Buster', 'Cellulite Blast' and 'Body Boot Camp', to 'Seniors' classes and those targeted at specific areas and goals including flexibility and circulation.

The machines are also available throughout the day for gym users, as well as for personal training sessions.

In a further development, Village Hotels has installed two Power Plate pro5 machines at each of its Newcastle and Cardiff sites.

These were purchased with a view to increasing retention within the hotels' membership population, which includes a high percentage of older users.