Image: The club is just 3,000sq ft in size

Budget operator Fit4less by énergie has opened its smallest ever club in Maidstone, Kent. The 3,000sq ft (279sq m) club is the chain's 23rd site in the UK.

Facilities include equipment supplied by TRX, Precor cardio stations, resistance machines, free weights, changing facilities and showers.

The opening of Maidstone is the third Fit4less site headed by entrepreneur and ex-Fitness First manager Tom Burke since he became a franchisee in 2010.

The club has reached 500 pre-opening memberships, which Burke believes is due to the brand's strict and aggressive marketing guidelines.

David Beattie, Fit4less brand and marketing director, added: "This pint-sized gym demonstrates the versatility of the énergie Group's low-cost brand.

"Our gyms are adaptable to the space and the 'small box' concept is becoming increasingly popular for franchise investors as well as the end user looking for a convenience and 'on the doorstep' venue to work out."