A WOMEN only gym is set to open on the site of a former boxing club in Benfleet to build a "safe space" for girls to workout.

Webbers Gym in Cat Tree Lane, South Benfleet, is opening on Saturday, October 1.

Rosie Webber, 25, says she was inspired to open the gym following her own experiences in gyms.

“Like a lot of girls, I was very unsure of myself when I first went into a gym,” she said.

“It’s intimidating for girls because it can feel like you are on man’s tur, so I wanted to create a safe space for girls to work out.”

She added: “To be clear, I don’t think all men are the same and awful predators, but women do feel more comfortable in our own spaces.

“It can even be the other fitness mad girls that are intimidating, because they look incredible and you don’t yet, so I just want a place women can feel comfortable.”

Ms Webber is now a competitive power lifter – having picked up power lifting five years ago.

She is set to compete in the 58.5kg weight class at this year’s World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation World Championships in November.

“I fell in love with power lifting, and I wanted to be able to give other girls a chance to try out workouts they might not have had the confidence to do before,” she continued.

“Girls often go to the gym and think they just need to stick to the treadmill.

“We can lift weights the same as everyone else!”

Ms Webber says she was inspired to start weight lifting by her boyfriend at the time’s sister.

“She had this amazing six-pack, so I thought I would give it a go and see what it could do for me,” she explained.

“Five years later and I still don’t have that six-pack, but I do love it anyway,” Ms Webber quipped.

The gym is holding a grand opening event on Saturday, October 1 from 8am – 4pm.

Regular opening hours have yet to be confirmed, but Ms Weber says the team are looking at 6am – 8pm on weekdays and 8 am – 4pm on weekends.

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