A new £224,000 fitness suite has been opened at Penrith Leisure Centre in Cumbria.

At 3,000sq ft (280sq m), the new gym is almost double the size of the previous facility and has been divided into five zoned areas including resistance, cardio, performance and a zone incorporating Life Fitness' new personal training system Synrgy360. The centre is one of the first public facilities to install the Synrgy kit.

The Synrgy concept combines several pieces of resistance equipment in one unit and has been designed to create an area where individuals or small groups can exercise together for a more varied workout.

An interactive fitness zone has also been created, incorporating four virtual cycling Trixter bikes.

There is also a new activity studio, created by converting an under-used changing room, which provides an 807sq ft (75sq m) space that can be used for a range of activities including indoor cycling and dance, with a programme of fitness classes taking place each week.

Funding for the upgrade came from Eden District Council (£159,000 ) and North Country Leisure (£65,000), the trust which took over the leisure management contract from in April 2012.

The development work forms just one of several joint ventures taking place between Eden District Council and North County Leisure.