The gym where men can unload emotional weights

A new "safe space" aimed at helping men talk about their mental health is being launched at a gym.

Exclusive Gym in Broughton Hackett, Worcestershire, is launching "Train and Chat", a free monthly session, exclusively for men, to encourage them to open up over issues they otherwise might avoid.

They are not obliged to use the gym facilities, and can attend solely to meet like-minded men if they so choose.

"I know a lot of men do struggle to talk, and pretend that things are ok when potentially they're not," said the gym's owner Phil Newbury.

"I felt combining training [with talking] can help people to open up a little bit.

"I'm hoping to create a safe environment where men feel they might want to talk."

Mr Newbury acknowledged that gyms were often male-dominated spaces already, but said he believed there was a need for sessions like this.

"I've struggled over the years at certain times, I'm certainly not alone.

"The whole club is completely shut down for this one session on the first Friday of every month just so that guys can come together and chat."

He added: "There are safe zones in the club and... people here, trainers here, that they can open up to."

The first Train and Chat takes place at Exclusive Gym, Broughton Hackett, on 7 February at 20:00 GMT.

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