Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross opens Hove Fitness Club

The Brighton midfielder was at the Hove Fitness Club in St Heliers Avenue on Monday ahead of its official opening on Friday.

The gym lost its base in Nevill Road, Hove, when the landlords said they would not be re-letting the building after the danger concrete was found in it.

After inspecting the new gym, Pascal said: “It’s beautiful, I like it because there’s a lot of little rooms to train quietly by yourself.

“In a big gym it can feel uncomfortable but here there’s a lot of little rooms to work on different things.

Hove Fitness Club (Image: The Argus)

“You have all the options to work, everything you need to work well is in there.

“I think it’s a nice set-up. It’s good to support local businesses in the city and people can stay healthy, active and fit here.”

Hove Fitness Club has taken much of its previous equipment to the new gym after leaving Nevill Road last year.

The St Heliers Avenue site has been empty since 2022 when the Sports Direct gym closed. There were plans for a Hybrid Fitness gym there but these fell through.

Matt Lambert, one of the co-owners of Hove Fitness, said: “A lot of people say this site is a step up. The reaction from everyone was ‘wow, this looks great’.

“This place has a buzz about it, people want to train here and it’s all new.

Pascal Gross signing Albion shirts (Image: GDImpact)

“We were distraught about what was happening before and struggling to find somewhere for our community but we are over the moon to get this site.

“People have missed us and its brilliant to get like for like facilities plus extra areas.”

New additions include a Hyrox area with new strength and conditioning equipment as well as improved yoga and Pilates areas.

While the club has lost its previous squash facilities it has gained tennis courts which it is hoped will be ready in the summer following refurbishments.

Hove Fitness Club opens to members on Friday.