Life Leisure is expanding its facility portfolio with the launch of an independent boutique fitness brand.

Scheduled to open in early January, H1VE will offer group classes led by fitness coaches and combine cardio, functional, strength and conditioning training.

The first H1VE will launch at the Stockport Sports Village (SSV) in 2020. Life Leisure already operates 12 leisure and fitness facilities in Stockport and H1VE members will be able to attend studio classes, use gyms, and benefit from swimming facilities at any of the venues.

H1VE will be managed and run independently from the leisure trust's other sites, however.

“This will be a different breed of facility for Stockport and for the Life Leisure Group”, said Group CEO Malcolm McPhail.

“We have never been a business to stand still and have a history of pioneering new approaches and initiatives, from establishing one of the country’s first ever activity self-referral schemes to diversifying into national fitness events."

Ruth Lynch, a group exercise specialist of 25 years is one of the driving forces behind H1VE’s launch.

"H1VE will be about harnessing the benefits of working together to help individuals achieve their own personal goals whatever their shape, size or fitness level”, she explained.

"This ethos will be integral to the type and style of classes on offer. It’s also the reason we are going to keep membership numbers deliberately low.

"We want to provide an environment where people can really get to know each other, build bonds, and have fun getting fit as a community - one of the best ways to do that is to focus on quality not quantity."

Membership of H1VE will be non-contract based, with all classes covered by a £60 per month fee which also includes the use of any Life Leisure facility.

Life Leisure is the trading name of Stockport Sports Trust, a not for profit social enterprise company and registered charity launched in April 2002 to provide leisure and recreation facilities and services for the Stockport community.