The Ab Salute Gym brand, which is often seen in The Only Way Is Essex, is coming to Chelmsford, and they plan to make Chelmsford their HQ!

Ab Salute Gym will be opening their new gym on Brook Street, almost opposite Fitness 364, which is in the Durrant Court building on New Street (was part of the old Hoffmanns factory).

The director of Fitness 364 has opposed the application, however, competition is not often a reason to decline planning permission.

Judging by the photos of current Ab Salute Gym, they focus on free weights, powerlifting and bodybuilding. The inside of the gym looks more like something from a Rocky movie than a health club. This could be excellent for Chelmsford because at the moment most gyms are stocked with cardio and resistance machines and provide little for more serious lifters.

It looks like they are also planning to provide a more personal service. On their website they say: “Fitness is our passion so we want everyone to enjoy getting fit and healthy as much as we do. With unlimited advice available in a friendly atmosphere, you’ll never feel isolated or intimidated.”

They even have their own kitchen where they cook up healthy, protein packed meals with vitamin packed salads – perfect for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.

Chelmsford has become a rich haven of gyms. Long gone are the days when we only had Riverside, Dovedales and Devon House gym on Anchor Street (anybody else remember that one?).

We now have Virgin Active, Springfield Health, Curves, The Gym, DW Fitness, Nuffield Gym (was Cannons) and some smaller ones, such as Elms Personal Fitness and CrossFit CM2. If you want to get fit, Chelmsford is the place to be!

Currently, Ab Salute Gym can be found in Lakeside, Brentwood (TOWIEland) and Romford. So, when is Ab Solute Gym opening? According to their website, the new Chelmsford gym is due to open in the summer!