An amazing first expansion of the Roman Pump Rooms for over four decades shows how the Romans put health and fitness first. At a special news call Nub News was shown around the new extension and given a tour.

The new exhibition space - which B&NES residents can visit for free - was opened on October 22.

Manager Stephen Clews told Nub News: " It is the first time a visitor has been able to see a new opening at the baths for over 40 years.

" We have taken the opportunity to spread out into some vaults of the Roman Baths - so an extension to the area that visitors are accustomed to visiting.

" We have known about this area for a long time but it has been very difficult to work out the access into. We think this space was most likely used as an exercise area, the equivalent of a modern gym and there was also a room like a sauna."

Projections on the walls showing Romans - men AND women - reflect the kind of exercises that they would have done in the gym.

The historian told us: " Yes we have both men and women exercising here but not together, this is because we believe that the bath house was managed that so there was gender segregation, so women in one and men in the other. They both used the area, but not at the same time."

Exercises including a standing long jump and for the women, an exercise known as Trigon (a Roman ball game). They would also keep fit using a Halteres (a type of dumb-bell)

Mr Clews said: " The only exercise women did not do, we believe, was weightlifting, we can't find any evidence for that. But they did use dumbbells for lighter work outs and we also project men wrestling but not women because we cannot be sure that was part of their work. "

So visitors have real feeling of immersion in the exercises and exertions of the Romans. The baths were in regular use from around 70 AD until 400 AD. But the newly exposed area was, according to him probably only used from the second century through the fourth

What has been the most fascinating thing for you to discover?

" We did carry out some archaeological excavations in the space before work began and so it has been good to uncover the laconicum. This is a large circular hot room. We knew it was here - we had references to it from the 19 century but to uncover that was incredible. It has been great to reveal that to the public."

The Laconicum, believed to be the only surviving one in Britain - was heated to a high temperature through under floor heating and the smoke went up through channels around the room. A feat of engineering as well as for relaxation, the historians believe it would also have been where Romans conducted business deals.

Unlike a sauna the heat would have been completely dry and it would have been the hottest room in the entire bath house.

But it is not just the rooms themselves that will amaze visitors.

As Project Manager Jenna Spellane explained from the moment you step towards the gym space you walk through the highest Roman doorway ever revealed. That has been recreated from the original foundations and then connects to what was a later Victorian roof arch.

Visitors will then step onto the original tiles what all those centuries ago the Romans would have walked on.

Stephen Clews said: " To see the Roman Baths they have never seen before, is just incredible. We haven't been able to show the entirety before, and it means coming to the Baths is a more complete experience than ever before. "

The Roman Gym, a newly revealed section of the Roman Baths, is one of the most visited heritage attractions in the UK

The Roman Gym is located next to the Great Bath and will be included in the cost of the general admission ticket.

The Roman Baths is one of the finest ancient sites in Northern Europe. The complex consists of the remarkably preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. The city's unique thermal springs rise at the heart of the site and the Baths still flow with natural hot water. Visitors can explore the Roman Baths, walk on the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. The museum collection includes a gilt bronze head of the Goddess Sulis Minerva, and other Roman artefacts.

More details from the main site