An Exmouth fitness group on a mission to get the community in shape now boasts almost 2,500 members.

Tri-Hards is Exmouth's largest community sport and fitness group. The group's founder Shelly Stammers sat down with Exmouth Nub News today (July 10) to explain the group's success and its plans for the future.

In June 2017 Shelly's husband, Neal Stammers, took part in a 68-hour charity bike ride from John O'Groats to Lands End.

Shelly was inspired by her husband and his team mates and decided that she fancied giving cycling a go.

So she sold her bike with a basket and invested in one for the road. Shelly soon caught the cycling bug and created a group on Facebook. The group's sole purpose is to get women back into exercise with a focus on getting active, meeting new people, having fun and possibly competing in events.

"When we first started we wanted to give a triathlon a go and within two weeks we had over 70 members, it just exploded," explained Shelly.

"Now we put on around 80 events per week, we are feeding people into Exmouth Park Run and local GPs are referring patients to us.

"We've had a number of ladies come off their mental health medication after getting involved."

Six months after the creation of Tri-Hards Ladies, Shelly's husband and his friends Oliver Bainbridge, Daz Notman and Andrew Lamont set up a 'gents' version of Tri-Hards, which now has more than 400 members.

Group activities include cycling, running, swimming, crossfit, trampoline courses, triathlon training, sea swimming, charity runs, hula-hooping and much more besides.

Shelly originally set up the ladies group because she felt there was not enough on offer for people looking to get into shape in the Exmouth area, she said: "There's not many places in Exmouth which provide running courses.

"Exmouth didn't have anything like what we had in mind. I think our ultimate selling point is the group is free to access for all.

"Now if you go out for a walk along the seafront of an evening you will see us all out exercising in our kit."

Shelly added: "Since starting I've done four triathlons and I'm going wakeboarding for the first time on Sunday. I took part in my first open water triathlon in Goodrington Sands last week and came first. I was joined on the podium by another one of our ladies, it was her first time as well."

Not all the events organised by Tri-Hards are high impact, next Monday a group of ladies will be trying out weighted hula-hooping at Orcombe Point.

Shelly is keen to encourage people who have not exercised for some time to come along to a session and give it a go, she said: "You don't need to be fit to join up. We'll give you the confidence and knowledge you need to get in shape."

On the Tri-Hards' website members are able to submit their stories on how the group helped them. One member said: "I joined Tri-Hards in August 2018 and was immediately struck by what a fantastic network of support it provides.

"On many occasions I have exercised when normally I wouldn't, out of a sense of accountability to other members. It has led me to making new friendships and to keep going with exercise when it would be all too easy to stay indoors when it gets cold and dark over winter.

"For me, Tri-Hards encourages me to be the best I can, competing against myself, striving for improvement and improving my health."

In an effort to financially support the group's work Tri-Hards are launching the Tribal Supporters Annual Card.

By purchasing the £45 card you are supporting Tri-Hards to grow as a community group and support more people to become active and live healthier lives.

In exchange you get the following:

-Numerous discounts at local and national retailers and eateries

-20% off LED Membership

-Reduced Tri-hards Kit

-Early notification and discounts on Tri-Hards events

-Where possible, discounts on local events

-With every adult card that is purchased up to two children (under 16yrs, and for who you are legal guardian for) will be entitled to free Tribal Cards. This can be used for 20% off a child's membership at LED.

Shelly would like to thank Oliver from the Grapevine for his continuing support and Ocean for giving meeting space for the Tri-Hards' running groups. As well as their other sponsors Spinback Productions, Bradleys Estate Agents, Lower Halsdon Farm, Charlotte Cozens Home Help, Outsourced Energy and Three Sixty Rehab.

For more information on the Tri-Hards and for details on how to sign up for a Tribal Supporters Card click the red button below.