IT WAS a bit of a workout to get there, but a Dunfermline gym has scooped top prize at Scotland's Business Awards.

Studio-X, based on Canmore Street, was put through a rigorous public vote, professional checks and a visit from a mystery shopper to be named Best Fitness Business 2022 at the national ceremony.

Owner Lisa Gibson, 39, told the Press: "There was a lot of stiff competition, big commercial gyms, it's quite a tough process.

"We are so small, we've only been in the business for three years, it was good.

"It's really great to get back to business after COVID."

Having been shut down for nearly two years, Lisa says recognition like this – earlier this year, they took home the Innovation title at the Scottish Health & Fitness Awards 2022 – motivates her to continue doing what she does best: offering something different and unique to the city.

"We teach aerial classes, kids' aerial classes, host birthday parties, adult pole fitness, aerial silks, aerial hammocks, aerial hoops, bungee fitness, that's something unique, there's not many around," she explained.

"It's definitely fun while you work out, it's all about that.

"It's getting back on our feet after COVID, we are just getting back into it because we were restricted for quite a while.

"We will look for the next big thing coming along and see what we can do! I am delighted for our team and our members."

And, for now, she and the instructors, Bethany Ferguson and Jen Turner, who have helped Studio-X since it opened in 2019, are focusing on continuing to provide classes, which now run in the mornings as well as evenings, and sold-out birthday parties.

"We are just trying to think of themes which are current, which people are in to at the minute," Lisa added.

"We have started to do mornings which, before the pandemic, I wasn't sure if mornings would be popular, if they would fill up.

"I feel like maybe people have more opportunity to come to a morning class now. That's been a bit of a shift I would say in the whole exercise world.

"It used to only ever be that the most popular time would be six or seven o'clock at night but people can access it more now at any time I think with working from home."

You can keep up to date with Studio-X and the classes they offer on their website.