Halesowen residents looking to sculpt their bodies ready for the summer season are in luck, as an innovative new exercise class that can achieve radical results is coming to town.

In what is believed to be a Dudley borough first, Halesowen Leisure Centre has launched an adults’ fins and hand paddles swimming session on Tuesday evenings.

The half-hour sessions, which start at 6.30pm, use hand and feet swimming accessories to maximise water resistance and boost the workload on the affected muscles.

Under careful supervision, the exercises not only increase strength and flexibility, but also allow swimmers to improve their stroke and swimming technique.

Councillor Stuart Turner, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:

“We want people to enjoy getting fit, so we are always looking at ways to add variety and interest to the exercise options in the borough.  Using paddles on your hands and fins on your feet allow you to swim far faster than usual, which is a new experience.  And at the same time as doing this, class participants will have the opportunity to increase their strength and style while toning up, in a way that will be ground-breaking for most people.

“We are running this class as a trial until March.  If it proves to be popular, we will consider keeping it as a permanent fixture.”

The 30-minute pay-as-you-go class, costing £4.70, will be followed by a normal public swim for up to 60 minutes.  Participants need to bring their own fins and hand paddles.

For more information call Sue Bray at Halesowen Leisure Centre on 01384 812800 or visit www.dudley.gov.uk/sport