By Anna Edwards

anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk

It is a case of recession, what recession, for an East Croydon gym that has just spent £500,000 on a makeover.

Most people will use any excuse not to go to the gym, but because energie Fitness has so many people pumping iron it was able to splash the cash on refurbishing its premises in Cherry Orchard Road.

Co-owners Calum Ross and Matthew Russell, who took charge of the gym in 2004, say their positive profit forecasts and membership figures persuaded their bank to fund the revamp.

Mr Ross, a former healthcare consultant, said: "Times are tough, so I am quite impressed we managed to score funding.

"But I think our location and our strong membership numbers persuaded the bank we were a good investment, and are obviously doing something right."

The makeover means the gym now boasts the only adaptive motion trainer (AMT) in Croydon, a machine which allows the user to alter their workout easily.

There are also now personalised televisions on machines, new cardio equipment and new running machines.

Mr Ross believes the gym's competitive membership fees - around £36 a month - combined with the personal service it offers, has kept the business buoyant through the recession.

He said: "I know that a lot of people would love an excuse to give up the gym, but we've found our members have wanted to stay.

"The credit crunch hasn't had that much of an impact on us.

"I think we've kept our numbers up because we offer a really reasonable gym fee, plus we are in a great central location.

"We have a lot of people in nearby offices coming in before and after they go to work."

Mr Ross believes another selling point of his gym is its "power programme", designed to motivate even the most die-hard couch potato.

He explained: "We offer a personal trainer that looks after you for six sessions over six weeks, because a lot of other gyms only offer an induction, then leave you in the deep end.

"We think people are more likely to stay if they are looked after and helped.

"We also operate a money back programme, where we guarantee that if you come to the gym at least three times a week, for at least a half-hour workout, then you will see results or you will get your money back.

"We also call our customers to try and encourage them to come in.

"We've never had to give anyone their money back."