HUNDREDS of people turned up at the St David’s Devere Village Hotel in Ewloe to try out a new fitness programme designed and personally introduced by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

Over the past year Dame Kelly, who took gold for both the 800m and the 1,500 metres at the Athens Olympics in 2004, has been working with Village Hotels to devise the Perfect Fit programme.

Speaking to the Leader she said: “We know that all fitness club members are different, with different ages and levels of ability.

“They’re certainly not all fitness freaks, that’s why we’ve worked out this special programme, which can be tailor-made to each individual.

“Perfect Fit combines motivational exercise programmes with fun, social clubs including running, walking, cycling, ballroom dancing, table tennis, salsa and much more.

“There are even programmes for the entire family to enjoy.”

About 100 members of the Village Club tried out the new programme yesterday afternoon, and later 200 listened to a motivational talk by Dame Kelly.

The day was rounded off with a mini Olympics for 75 children in the hotel’s health and fitness club.

Dame Kelly said that since she retired from the track in 2005 she had been kepy busy on a variety of projects, including a range of fitness programmes and schemes on which she has been mentoring disadvantaged youngsters.

Another aspect of her work has been advising fellow sports and women on how to develop their careers after retiring from a life of competition.

She said: “You face a whole new set of circumstances and after being wrapped in cotton wool within your own sport you suddenly don’t know what life’s going to hold for you – that’s what we try to help them with.

“I do miss certain things about my active sporting life. But you are never going to top the buzz you get from achieving your life’s dream.”