The Watford Observer has announced NRG GYM Watford as this year’s winner of the Gym of the Year award.

The award seeks to identify the best facilities in the area as voted for by readers of the newspaper.

NRG GYM has been at the heart of Watford Town Centre since opening in 2014. A 24-hour facility, the gym is split across two floors and accommodates members of all training interests and abilities.

The gym is home to high performance strength training equipment from premium brand Hammer Strength, a large cardio training area and female only zone.

Members also get full access to all group exercise classes, including a dedicated indoor cycling studio.

Like all gyms, NRG GYM Watford was forced to close in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since it re-opened in July, the gym has experienced growing membership numbers and has recently undergone a major refurbishment to include a new functional area comprising training rigs, punch bags and a large range of functional training equipment.

Although gyms have been forced to close through November during a second national lockdown, Bee Parmar, General Manager of NRG GYM Watford, said the gym has been "really pleased with the response from our members" when it reopened earlier this year.

Bee said: “We’ve worked incredibly hard over the years to provide a facility that caters for everyone’s needs, and we’re very proud to receive this award which further recognises this. We’ve created a fantastic community at NRG GYM Watford, and we will continue to provide an environment that motivates, encourages and supports members in achieving their own health and fitness goals.”

The Watford site is one of four NRG GYMs in the UK, with facilities also in Lewisham, Gravesend and Walsall.

For Founder and CEO Shafiq Ahmed said: “When I launched NRG, my aim was to create a quality, affordable gym for everyone; one where members want to train, feel comfortable and a part of something, and build communities within the gyms amongst like-minded people.

“Our broad member demographic is proof of this, and at a time when health and wellbeing is more important than ever before, NRG GYMS continue to play a key role in supporting members to stay active.”