The Gym Group's virtual trainers helped beef up its membership

Londoners flocking to new virtual exercise classes have helped the Gym Group beef up its membership, the boss of the budget fitness chain said today.

John Treharne said: “One of the new biggest pulls is virtual classes, where you can do body pump, body combat and spin in front of a big screen with an on-screen instructor at any time.”

Membership jumped to 424,000 in the half year to June 30, from 355,000 and the company opened six gyms, taking the chain to 80.

But the shares tumbled 6.5% to 201p despite guidance that the firm would hit annual profit forecasts. It floated in November 2015 at 195p per share. Treharne shrugged off the impact of Brexit and insisted people will still go to the gym.

Analysts at Numis said: “In an uncertain consumer environment post Brexit, we expect the company’s low-cost model to result in a resilient performance.”