A FITNESS spa in Basildon has beaten its rivals to be voted the best independent gym in the country at a national award ceremony.

Club Kingswood, in Clayhill Lane, won the award and a prize for being the best in the UK southern region at the National Fitness Awards 2010.

Since opening in 1967, the centre has celebrated a series of other awards including National Sports Club of the Year and UK Health Club of the Year.

Competition judges were impressed by the customer service and wide activity range offered by the family-owned club. Ros Saunderson, group fitness and assistant manager, said the team at the spa was ecstatic to have been recognised for its efforts, despite a mishap during the judges inspection.

Ms Saunderson: “On the day of inspection by the judges our boiler broke down, but we were praised for the way we handled it with our members whichshowed us in a good light.”

She believes the ongoing success of the club is due to good customer service and a commitment to being innovative.

Ms Saunderson said: “We try to exceed expectations and I often survey members to see what they want to see on our programme.

“We are a family run gym as well with some members who have been with us for nearly 15 years and we also see if there are new things, like our zumba classes, which can improve our services.”