A NEW gym in the centre of Dunfermline aims to be a class act when it opens in the early part of next year.

Pilmuir Fitness 10, or PF10, will be located within the Linen Quarter, a major redevelopment project that’s turning the old Duracord factory into 157 swish apartments and more than 10,000 square feet of commercial units.

With a focus on fitness classes, they want to provide healthy competition for the likes of the Carnegie Leisure Centre, which is just across the road.

Co-director Colin Woods told the Press: “Our plan is simple. Use the space like no other and deliver fitness classes that are suitable for all levels and ability where exercise blends perfectly with pleasure.

“We think our brand is imaginative and lively and we believe we can bring something different to the area.”

He continued: “Not everyone knows what to do in a gym, it can be intimidating to be faced with 100 stations and 50 running machines, so we aim to teach people through the classes, break everything down so it’s enjoyable but still high-intensity.

“Instead of a gym where you train on your own, we want a family environment and a community where people train together; they’ll hopefully get fitter and stronger along the way and meet neighbours from the same area.”

Colin and co-director Jason McEvoy identified the old Pilmuir Works, where Byzantian are working on a high-class regeneration of the former industrial site, as their preferred option.

He explained: “Jason lives in Dunfermline and knew it was being developed into flats. We approached the developers with a business plan and told them why it would be good for the area.

“It progressed from there and they agreed to rent one of the commercial units to us.

“Jason was in the military and we’ve been friends for many years.

“His background is in boxing – he ran the fitness classes, Box Rapid, in Dunfermline for the last five years and that was really successful.

“I’ve been running Destination Judo classes across Fife and the two of us have always wanted a gym.”

As well as being across the road from Carnegie Leisure Centre, the new venture is close to Pure Gym too.

Colin said: “If you look at the High Street, there are lots of hairdressers and cafes, so there is competition everywhere.

“Jason had 70-80 members at Box Rapid and I’ve had 800 kids across Fife doing judo so we’ve got a bit of a network to try and build on.

“I’m sure we can get the classes busy and with the music pumping and the lights we’re going to have; I think it’ll be something we’ve never seen before in the area.”

The 10 refers to the 10 types of classes “we believe could offer everything that a client would need” and Colin added that there’s no joining fee or contract, while residents in the Linen Quarter will be offered a 15 per cent discount.

The project has been delayed by the pandemic and the aim is to open in the early part of next year.

Colin said: “For us to run classes, Fife would need to be in level 2.

“The developers have been really good, patient and understanding of the situation, so there’s no pressure on us.

“We can’t wait to get going.”