LEISURE chiefs have apologised for failing to explain to fitness enthusiasts why treadmills in their gym were switched off.

The jogging machines were taken out of action at the first-floor Edmund Wilson fitness suite in March after concerns were raised about the effect of vibrations on the concrete floor.

But a gym user claimed today that customers were told they had been turned off because of an electrical fault, and only discovered the truth after the gym was completely closed down two days later.

The customer, who did not wish to be identified, said: "We should have been told the real reason the treadmills were turned off."

He claimed the Total Leisure Fitness gym in Acomb, York, should have been shut as soon as fears were raised about the safety of the floor.

City of York Council said the jogging machines had been switched off on Wednesday March 22, as soon as an issue had been raised about vibrations in the structure of the room.

"This allowed time for the consultant that we had employed to investigate the matter further," said a spokeswoman.

"Following the consultant's preliminary findings, it was decided to close the whole gym two days later.

"We accepted the consultant's advice that it would be prudent to close the facility in the light of the potential over-loading identified, the length of time it had been going on, and the suggested need for further tests.

"Unfortunately, there was not sufficient time to brief all staff and customers fully when the joggers were closed.

"We apologise for any misunderstandings about the reasons behind the closure."

A report last month revealed the safety worries of engineers who were called in to carry out a structural inspection of the gym floor.

The engineers said they had concerns about the floor's weight loading, and also said it was possible that pre-cast concrete used for the floor slab contained "High Alumina" cement, which was widely used in the construction industry at one time, but which had subsequently been found to lose strength over time.

Councillors were told that the gym closure had resulted in the loss of £40,000 in income.

Updated: 09:16 Monday, May 08, 2006