JUST months after scooping a top national title the USN Bolton Arena is continuing its winning ways.

The arena’s gym has just been shortlisted in two categories of the National Fitness Awards �— for Regional Gym of the Year and for Community Gym of the Year.

The awards are organised by fitness industry magazine Workout, with support from headline sponsor ServiceSport, and recognise excellence in the fitness world.

In the recent Bolton Active Sports Awards, arena fitness consultant Gaynor Higson was awarded Coach Instructor of the Year after taking qualifications in cancer rehabilitation and a walking leader’s course before setting up regular walks for cancer patients.

She also established a special tennis course, mini circuit and spin class.

This was all part of the arena’s Inspire2action programme, which encourages exercise for people who might not normally be able to invest in their fitness.

Sue Hayes, the arena’s programme manager, said that Gaynor is “a key member of the Inspire2action team”.

She added that they were very proud of the fitness consultant and what she had achieved.

So far, the mentored programme has helped take 300 local people from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one.

The clutch of new recognition comes after, earlier in the year, hard work by the Middlebrook venue’s gym members and staff ensured that the Arena won the Let’s Move For A Better World challenge in the UK.

This was run by global gym equipment supplier Technogym and not only earned the arena a national title but also won costly circuit training equipment for Rivington and Blackrod High School.

Then last month, the arena gym won a second national accolade, the Champions Move With Technogym Challenge, which was linked to the Commonwealth Games.

This has gained new gym equipment for Bolton Hot Wheels, a popular local cycling club for adults and juniors.

USN Bolton Arena marketing manager, Gwyn Hughes, said: “It’s been an amazing year for us so far, and fingers crossed for the two awards for which we’ve been shortlisted.

“This is all a great tribute to the hard work put in by all the staff and also down to the support by members of the public for the Arena and all its services.”

The winners of the National Fitness Awards will be announced at a grand awards’ ceremony at The Athena in Leicester on November 28.