A new city gym has received the thumbs up from Gloucester Rugby's players and the club's director of rugby is so excited by the idea he's become an investor in the project.

The F45 gym is set to open at Bakers Quay on Saturday, February 29, when it will become the first Gloucestershire outlet offering the now world-renowned group training experience.

Short for Functional 45, the high-intensity training is a unique 45-minute workout that started in Australia and has since become a craze the world over.

The craze has won fans - and new investors - across the globe, with Gloucester Rugby's director of rugby David Humphreys investing in the Bakers Quay venture.

"F45 is a really exciting new training concept that has proven hugely popular around the world and it is fantastic to see it opening here in the city," he said.

"It offers a convenient and effective way for people to get together to improve their health and wellbeing."

F45 Gloucester Quays is currently offering a limited number of heavily discounted Foundation Memberships.

They include unlimited group classes, access to the highly acclaimed quarterly eight-week trans-formation challenge programme and a free heart rate monitor that costs £50.

A 14-Day trial at F45 is available for just £20. Classes run throughout the day from 6.15am to 7.05pm Monday to Friday with special hour-long work out sessions on Saturdays featuring a live DJ.

F45 Gloucester Quays Studio Manager and Head Coach Marvin Thompson said: "We can't wait to open our doors and for people to come down and try F45 for themselves.

"It is about providing that personal training-style experience in a group environment and that is why we have two coaches in each session to give people individual attention where they need it.

"Anybody can do F45, the whole concept is about helping people to work towards transforming their own fitness.

"For me, this is the best product on the market for people who want to improve their health in a relaxed, fun environment."

F45's first Foundation Members will be able to attend classes from February 29th with its official opening on Saturday March 14th.

Members could find themselves training alongside F45 ambassadors and Gloucester Rugby stars Charlie Sharples, James Hanson and Jamal Ford-Robinson and Gloucester-Hartpury player Ti Tauasosi.

Former England international Sharples said: "F45 will be a great addition to the city's fitness scene and I am really looking forward to coming down giving it a go."

Tauasosi, a capped Singapore women's international, said she was delighted to be involved with F45.

"Where else would you get to work out with a live DJ," she said. "F45 is offering a new take on group fitness and it is a great, fun way to improve your health as well as meet new people."

For more information visit www.f45training.co.uk/gloucesterquays