Fitness centre chain Les Mills is soon set to open a second central Auckland gym to relieve pressure on its booming CBD facilities, at the Grafton property it has just purchased for $7.75 million from ING Property Trust.

Anybody who has tried to exercise at the Victoria St gym before work on a weekday will know it is a battle of the fittest to secure a spot in any of the group fitness or spinning classes that finish by 8.10am - then there's the fight to get your hands on a hairdryer in the changing rooms.

The property at 269 and 369 Khyber Pass Rd boasts 125 car parks, welcome news to members of Les Mills Victoria St where a free space is about as common as a four leaf clover.

“Our plan is to build a world class fitness facility on the site using the existing two buildings as the core structure,” Les Mills chief executive Reece Zondag told NBR.

“We think the Newmarket, Epsom, Parnell, Remuera catchment area would benefit from a facility in Grafton.”

Warren and Mahoney Architects have been hired by the fitness firm to draw up designs for the new gym.

The refurbishment and equipment is estimated to cost millions of dollars.

While Mr Zondag declined to reveal the exact number of new members who have signed up to Les Mills in the past year, he said membership was “growing” and attendance was at “an all time high”.

The two other existing Les Mills Auckland branches are at New Lynn and Takapuna. The Victoria St branch will remain the flagship gym, being the largest and most widely equipped facility.

Mr Zondag said it was too early to say when the new gym would be open for business. “It’s a work in progress.”