5 great gyms to go to for a workout in the Highlands

You can't beat the feeling following a great training session.

Whether you are trying to build muscle, tone up or simply improve your general fitness, going to the gym could be the answer.

Having a personal goal provides the motivation you need to get started, but once you get into a rhythm it becomes a routine that gym-lovers prefer not to step away from.

So where should you go? Here are some suggestions:

The Forge

Inverness

The Forge is pretty much perfect for any aspiring bodybuilders or strongmen, or anyone else too really.

It may have a false reputation as a dark place with just heavy metal music blaring, when in reality there is a friendly atmosphere with members often supporting each other to achieve their goals.

There has been investment under the current owners, which has changed the look and feel of the place to make it their own.

Inverness Leisure

Inverness

Another gym that has benefited from relatively recent investment is Inverness Leisure.

If you haven't been there or you haven't been in the past few months, go and see how the area that was once the café and meeting rooms has been transformed as the gym has spread.

Although it still feels fairly compact, the choice means there is always an option if it's busy. Plus there's a strength and conditioning area, mainly for athletes, downstairs.

Pure Gym

Inverness

Spread out over two floors, Pure Gym is the most recently opened facility in this list – and the only commercial gym too.

Kit is well-spaced out and there is a lot of it.

The design means it's easy to get your head down and simply focus on what you want to do, with little disruption.

Gym 300

Inverness

This gym has a good layout being divided into four main areas: cardio machines, multi-functional area with multi-purpose machines, a room with a focus on barbell exercises and a final room with a large amount of dumbbells and punching bags.

The staff in the gym are friendly and are willing to help you set/achieve your fitness goals.

It is also is also pretty much perfect for any aspiring bodybuilders or strongmen, or anyone else too really.

Dingwall Leisure Centre

Dingwall

High Life Highland has just splashed a pretty penny on all new machines and created a brand new layout for the gym in Dingwall Leisure Centre.

Gone is the spin class which has moved elsewhere providing more space for cardio workouts like running, cycling and step machines.

While the weight training room has all new equipment due to the removal of the cardio training kit making it a much better experience.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.