A NEW and experimental ‘quiet gym” session is being trialled in Bridgwater following requests from some customers who want to work out in a quiet and peaceful environment.

The ‘Music Free Moves’ sessions are being tried at Trinity Sports and Leisure from Monday, December 5 and if successful could be launched officially in the new year.

The MFM sessions will run at lunchtimes and could prove especially beneficial to older people who have impaired hearing, and also to people on the Autistic spectrum who are sensitive to noise and have difficulty processing sensory information.

While customers can still listen to their own music on headphones while working out, the gym floor at the leisure centre will be kept quiet and music free.

General tannoy announcements will also be stopped during this time.

The ‘quiet gym’ follows an experimental trend by supermarkets and retailers. elsewhere in the UK who have trialled ‘quiet hours’ in their stores so shoppers can enjoy a music free environment.

1610 health development manager, Amanda Godsell said: “ Modern life means we are constantly bombarded by noise and music and it means we are never given a chance to rest our brains from relentless stimulation.

“This can be problematic for many older people with hearing difficulties or for people with Autism who can be distressed by constant noise.

“We will monitor the response from customers and then review whether we should introduce “quiet gym” sessions permanently at Trinity and elsewhere within the 1610 leisure centre network.”