Life Fitness has appointed the Basildon branch of Ripped Gym as one of its elite Hammer Strength Training Centres following a major new installation worth about £300,000.

The Harlow-based company opened a second gym in March after a three month refurbishment programme. The new 12,000ft2 site features more than 80 pieces of Hammer Strength equipment including HD Elite power racks and V-Squat as well as 27 Life Fitness cardio machines from the Integrity and Activate series.

Alper Kani, joint owner of Ripped Gym in Basildon, said: “It’s a huge honour for us to become a Hammer Strength certified training facility and by displaying Hammer Strength’s official plaque we let our members know that we’ve selected the highest quality equipment on the market.

“Since Elvis and Michelle Meade opened the first Ripped Gym in Harlow in 2008, the business has attracted a loyal membership base of amateur and professional athletes and we’re recognised for our passion and experience as the authority in bodybuilding and power lifting.

“Through our second gym in Basildon, we’re helping to inspire more people to reach their fitness goals and we’re looking forward to building on our success and opening new sites in the years ahead.”

Lucy Day, account manager – private sector at Life Fitness said: “The new Ripped Gym in Basildon is an excellent showcase for Hammer Strength equipment as it offers some of the industry’s most advanced performance training.”

The new gym in Basildon was opened in memory of Ripped Gym owner Elvis Meade who passed away in January after a short illness.