MEMBERS of Oxford gym The Athlete Centre proved a force to be reckoned with after walking away with top honours in a gruelling competition.

Tucked away in the Osney Mead Industrial Estate, the gym aims to allow people to train like professional athletes.

To prove their prowess, members held a competition against other clubs to be crowned the UK’s Toughest Gym.

Teams had to run, lift weights and use a range of gym equipment against the clock.

The Athlete Centre came top of the table in three out of four challenges.

Fitness fanatic and competitor Nick Brown, said: “You get hooked on things like this – you start to get itchy if you don’t do it.”

Mr Brown, from Wallingford, said it can take up to an hour to get to the centre.

He said: “It takes me ages, but it’s worth it because it’s such a good gym.

“Not only are the facilities absolutely excellent, but the people are experts – they really know what they’re talking about. They’re so driven and push you to train harder.”

The 26-year-old has been going to the gym for eight years. He said: “Out of all the gyms in Oxfordshire this is the best one I’ve been to by far.”