Works to upgrade the City Council’s outdoor gyms are nearing completion.

The new gym at Compass Gardens, South Woodham Ferrers took four weeks to install and cost £31,000 in total.

The new facility has had 11 new stations installed, providing exercise facilities for up to 18 people at any one time.

Some stations are doubles so people of differing abilities can work out together.

If users have a smart phone, each piece of equipment has a QR code, which gives individuals the ability to access an online personal trainer for workouts and instructions on how to get the best out of each piece.

The Chelmer Park gym will be identical to Compass Gardens gym but will have a different layout.

The council launched the new facilities with a special opening ceremony on Thursday. 

The ceremony was attended by special guests including the Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Duncan Lumley.

Councillor Bob Massey, Cabinet Member for Parks, said: "I am so pleased to able to announce the opening of the new outdoor gym and the works to create another similar facility.

"We have such wonderful parks across the city and this will help the residents make the most of the parks whilst keeping fit and healthy."