As people up and down the country pledge “new year, new me”, one fitness class is challenging them to put their money where their mouth is.

Nicky Taylor and four friends run free weekly sessions in Hornchurch for school-run mums and people of both sexes who lack the confidence or finances to hit the gym.

And to kick off 2016, they are launching a weight-loss and muscle gain challenge for all those determined to get fit.

“January is a time when people are looking to get to the gym,” said mum-of-three Nicky, 40. “The challenge is great, it gives them a bit of motivation and an incentive to stay on track.”

The competition is £15 to enter, £10 of which enters into the prize money. There are two categories, body fat loss and muscle gain, and entrants are split into male and female groups.

They will be weighed in when the challenge starts at the end of January, and weighed again after four weeks. After eight weeks the winners will be presented with cash prizes.

The weekly hour-long sessions, held every Tuesday at North Street Halls, High Street, get under way at 9.20am to allow parents to attend after the school run.

The Recorder spoke to Nicky, of Aldborough Road, Upminster, in November, when the classes launched.

At the time, she said she and her friends were sick of feeling tired and decided to take the initiative.

She said: “We’ve all got kids and there’s a concept that you just let yourself go, but a lot of mums want to get back in shape.

“This is for them and for those that can’t afford to go to the gym, or women who have just lost their confidence.

“There’s nothing worse than feeling intimidated, and that can happen for some women when they go to the gym.”

Classes typically involve squats, kicks and running.

Head along next Tuesday morning to find out more information about the challenge.