ROSS-SHIRE residents keen to take the lockdown battle of the bulge back to the gym joined others aiming to get back in peak shape as leisure centres, fitness suites and swimming pools re-opened to customers this week.

Lisa MacDonald, facility manager for High Life Highland at Dingwall Leisure Centre, said there had been "a general buzz about the place" as customers were welcomed back on Monday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown in March.

Everyone must now pre-book activities such as fitness suite and swimming sessions as well as exercise classes with a one-way system and social distancing in place. Ms MacDonald said: "Customers have been very accepting and I think realise we're all in the same boat."

Gallery1

Body pump and spinning classes proved popular as fitness fans adjusted to a new layout.

Ms MacDonald added: "The staff have been amazing. They are all 100 per cent committed to doing what they do best. The key message is probably about advance booking."

HLH operates centres across Ross-shire. Chief executive Steve Walsh said: "This has been a long time coming, but our teams have done a fantastic job in preparing the sites that will allow participants to return to a covid-safe environment fully in-line with Scottish Government guidelines but presented in such a way that we hope will allow everyone to enjoy their safe return to activities."

More news from Ross-shire

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.