£2m gym concept, Gymbox, will be opening in London’s Holborn area on 1 September, the main aim of the founders being to combine entertainment with exercise in a flexible environment.

Covering 22,000sq ft, standout features of the new gym include an Olympic-sized boxing ring, 25 punchbags and upper-cut bags and the provision of 80 classes a week.

Fitness First has a majority holding in the Gymbox venture and membership sales, which began on 23 July, had reached over 130 members by 31 July. Sign-up so far has been equally split 50/50 between men and women, although in the US, similar gyms to Gymbox often have a higher percentage of female members than male.

The interior has been created by designer Ben Kelly, who was responsible for both the Hacienda and Dry Bar venues in Manchester. Illustrator Andy Smith, who was involved in the Nike ‘Run London’ campaign, has also been involved in the highly individual inside space, having created a series of bespoke illustrations for the gym walls.

Managing director and founder of Gymbox, Richard Hilton, said: "There’s never been a club that looks or feels like Gymbox. I wanted to create a completely new gym experience, a place which could be interesting and interactive - introducing new and exciting classes with state-of-the-art fitness equipment - combined with a non-judgmental attitude.

"Gymbox is where all people, young, old, thin and not-that-thin, can find their niche and enjoy exercising. It’s really all captured by our tagline, ‘anything goes’." Details: www.gymbox.co.uk