STUDENTS at West Somerset College in Minehead have been finding a welcome release from exam stress and revision by working out with 1610 at specially organised taster exercise sessions at West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre.

1610 has been working in partnership with West Somerset College to provide Body Burn and Kettlercise sessions for pupils during their regular P.E. lessons.

Body Burn classes can burn up to 550 calories in a class and focuses on improving stability, coordination and mobility.

It also increases the body’s metabolic rate which helps to burn calories in the long term. But the classes also provide an important break from the pressure of revision and the worry over exams which can affect many pupils during this time of year.

The taster sessions are part of a fitness programme particularly aimed at girls which can be a hard to reach group as many teenage girls are turned off sport at an early age.

The Girls Only fitness classes which will run on Tuesday evenings at West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre are supported by Sportivate Funding and provide a range of activities such as, Piloxing, Zumba and dance fitness for the girls to try.

Organiser Suzanne Richards from West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre says that the taster sessions have been a great success: “ The girls have enjoyed the new classes and activities, particularly during this stressful revision period in the run up to exams.

"Working out is a great way to relieve stress as well as keeping fit and it is important to encourage girls to exercise regularly particularly as many give up on sport because they think it is unfeminine or uncool to work out.

"So we have devised some Girls Only fitness sessions to help young women and girls to embrace exercise and have fun and to make exercise a lifelong habit.”

The Girls Only sessions at West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre in Minehead will take place on Tuesday evenings from 4pm-5pm. Tel 01643 708815.