The Bannatyne Group has added a £500,000 gym to its Charlton House Spa Hotel in Somerset as the business makes good on plans to harness synergies from its presence in several different leisure sectors.

Bannatyne Group MD Justin Musgrove – who can draw on previous experiences gained from 19 years working at leisure giant Center Parcs – told Health Club Management last month that the company wants to bring its health club, spa and hotel businesses closer together to offer a more upmarket experience.

“With Bannatyne Health Clubs, Spas and Hotels, you’ve got three great brands which we want to bring closer together and consolidate our position as the dominant operator of country clubs,” said Musgrove, who joined The Bannatyne Group as spa director in 2007.

The newly-added gym at Charlton House Spa Hotel features a range of Technogym CV and resistance equipment, plus a free weights section, which contains plate loaded equipment together with Water Rowers and a Power Plate. The gym also benefits from a functional area, which includes Technogym’s new functional training system Omnia3.

“The new gym is a great addition to the hotel. The equipment is among the best that money can buy and will help members achieve their fitness and health goals effectively, in great surroundings,” said owner Duncan Bannatyne.

“Functional training is the way the industry is progressing and focuses on training movement patterns rather than isolating individual muscle groups. The new equipment provides fantastic fat burning workouts and will improve strength, endurance and boost metabolism.”

Memberships are available for the new gym with a limited number of ‘ultimate memberships’, which also include use of the massaging hydro-therapy pool and wet facilities at the spa, including the aroma-infused laconium, the heating sensation of the crystal steamroom, Finnish sauna, experience showers and ice fountain.

The gym is open from 6am – 10pm and can also be used by hotel guests.