BOSSES at a plush gym have been urged to “have a heart” after a group of cardio patients say they were treated unfairly.

Around 25 members of an exercise group for people who have suffered heart attacks or endured by-passes and transplants, say they have been ousted from using the David Lloyd Leisure Centre, in Basildon, for their weekly workout sessions.

The members have been using the gym, at the Festival Leisure Park, once a week on Thursday evenings for nine years – paying a discount fee for each session.

However, they say thoughtless members of the gym have hounded them out after complaints were made about the group.

Fitness expert Martin Frost, 53, who runs the NHS-backed Basildon Phase 4 Cardio Rehabilitation Group, said: “We were told members didn’t like us being there, taking up the exercise stations. But out of about 100 stations, we only used 25, and for one hour a week.

“Our members only use the treadmill and exercise bike-type machines, not the weights.

“I just don’t think they liked elderly people getting in their way. I found it rather thoughtless.”

Mr Frost, a personal trainer, says the club then brought in strict new regulations out of nowhere which resulted in them having to leave the gym.

These included trying to stop members bringing along a family member for support.

Mr Frost added: “When someone has faced death’s door they often need some cheering on and help when they start exercising for the first time.

“Our members have only ever had one member of their family along for support. It’s not like the Beverley Hillbillies turned up with 14 members of their family.”

Linden Hensen, general manager at David Lloyd Basildon said: “We were disappointed to learn the cardio-rehabilitation group have stopped coming.

“We have no issue with them attending the club and we have welcomed them for nine years.

“We need the group to inform us who will be attending the session and a hospital representative to confirm they are part of the group. We are happy to let 20 of the non-members that are part of this group in each session.”

However, Mr Frost said this was not possible. He added: “Many of our members are elderly and in poor health. It’s just not feasible to know beforehand how many are going to come.

“We are not trying to be difficult. We have been going there for years and there’s no way we would have left unless we’d been pushed.”