Fitness centres in Peterborough are offering free memberships to local Territorial Army (TA) personnel to help them prepare for deployment to Afghanistan.

Members of Peterborough's TA are donning their gym clothing and enjoying free access to Werrington Sports Centre, Bushfield Sports Centre and the Jack Hunt swimming pool, the Peterborough Eveneing Telegraph reports.

This has been facilitated through a partnership between Peterborough City Council and culture and leisure trust Vivacity.

Many TA soldiers have full-time jobs and do not benefit from access to free gym equipment like full-time soldiers do, so it is therefore more difficult for them to meet required fitness levels.

Lieutenant colonel Jon Symon, the commanding officer of the 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment RLC (V), said: "We are extremely grateful for the support given to us by the council and Vivacity, and I hope others follow their lead."

Last month, the Plymouth Evening Herald reported that staff from Beaconville Nursing Home in Ivybridge, Devon, had taken part in a 12-hour exercise session to raise money for Help for Heroes - a charity for British soldiers wounded while in service.

Posted by Martin Sebborn ADNFCR-2569-ID-800126591-ADNFCR

Sport & Fitness Clothing News - Latest Stories

Danger of exercise to hypertensive people 'blocked'

Posted on 06-Apr-11

Scientists have found a way of preventing a greater increase in the blood pressure of women with hypertension when they exercise in their ladies running clothing.

Sport for all initiative hailed a success

Posted on 06-Apr-11

People of all ages, abilities and walks of life donned their gym clothing recently to take part in free sports sessions at the University of Nottingham.

Exercise 'keeps the heart young'

Posted on 05-Apr-11

Women who exercise regularly throughout their lives have stronger, healthier hearts than those who do not don their ladies fitness clothing often, a study has suggested.

Using own body mass 'is helpful in resistance exercise'

Posted on 04-Apr-11

Older women can benefit from donning their gym clothing and taking part in resistance exercises that include using their own body weight.

Progressive resistance training 'is good for seniors'

Posted on 01-Apr-11

Progressive resistance training can help elderly women to improve their strength in their ladies fitness clothing.