It may be tucked away in a discreet corner of Southside, but Evolutions Health & Fitness Centre is going strong four years after opening its doors.

The east end fitness centre, on Waller’s Point Road, has weathered the economic downturn and is looking ahead to better times.

It is also now an outlet for a new nutritional supplement aimed at bodybuilders, which has met with praise from one of the Island’s successful bodybuilders Sabrina Burgess.

The gym is equipped with an impressive selection of free weights, resistance equipment and cardio-fitness machines.

It has fitness classes, which are particularly popular with women and also beginners looking to get started on a fitness drive.

Candy Foggo runs Evolutions. She said: “It was set up to be a gym in the east. Myself and two partners had the aim of attracting people who live in the east and were looking for a state of art gym without going to Hamilton.”

Clients from St George’s and the eastern parishes have found it convenient to visit the fitness centre, especially when they are seeking a morning or lunchtime workout.

Ms Foggo said the gym has weathered the economic downturn of the past few years.

“With the recession people have had their disposable income cut back,” she said.

“At the same time you have to be conscious of your health, because if you don’t have your health you don’t have anything.”

She pointed out that it was worth comparing the cost of gym membership with the cost of paying for various medications if you don’t look after yourself and end up with ill health and ailments.

A new addition at the gym is the availability of the Prime Nutrition range of workout supplements.

Ms Foggo is a former three-times Bermuda bodybuilding champion. She has previously steered clear of promoting supplements at the gym because she was wary of being associated with any that might have a bad reputation.

But she has been reassured by what she has learned about Prime Nutrition, and the representation it has received from three-times Ms Bermuda bodybuilding and fitness champion Sabrina Burgess.

In the reception area at Evolutions there is a display of the products, and a poster featuring Ms Burgess which proclaims “Prime Nutrition delivers”.

Trevor Fyfe, who has brought the Prime Nutrition range to the Island, said: “Sabrina agreed to take the product and tell us the truth [about it].

“It’s a very well researched nutritional supplement. I’ve been using it for years. There are no additives, colours or fillers.”

He said he was also wary of getting involved with a line of supplements until he was sure about their credentials, and their worth.

“I was very careful about introducing a supplement product. I waited until I was certain that Prime Nutrition was the one that I wanted to get involved in,” he said.

“My son is a serious bodybuilder and he’s involved with the company.”

Mr Fyfe was pleased to have found a fitness centre owner familiar with the philosophy behind bodybuilding to link up with.

He added: “We wanted to sell it in a gym environment rather than at a commercial stand in shops.”

He said the products’ ingredients are stringently controlled, are of pharmaceutical quality, and do not contain anything that would fall foul of banned substances regulations.

The supplements are said to target specific parts of the body, aiding muscle growth and efficiency. Mr Fyfe points out that it is not a magic bullet, and workouts and healthy eating are also required to achieve results.

He believes the effectiveness of the range will be spread by word-of-mouth as those using them begin to show improvements.

The supplements sell for between $20 and $40. Mr Fyfe said he wanted to ensure it was available on Island at the same price it sells overseas.

Evolutions Heath & Fitness Centre is open from 5.30am, Mondays to Fridays, closing at 9pm each day, except Fridays when it closes at 8pm.

It is also open on Saturdays from 8am to 3pm, and Sundays between 9am and 1pm.

The website is www.evolutionshealth.bm