The first mood-enhancing workout class designed to tackle Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) launched at the David Lloyd Club in Hampton last weekend.

Britain has officially waved goodbye to summertime with the clocks turned back, and for many people the shorter days can lead to sadness and depression, otherwise known as SAD.

Through light lamp therapy, endorphin releasing HIIT exercises and the familiar sights, sounds and smells of summer, the 30-minute class was a multi-sensory experience designed to mimic the blissful days of summer.

Psychologist and SAD expert Elaine Slater said: “One in five people in the UK experience mildly debilitating symptoms of SAD or winter blues. It’s a complex condition that recurs each year, most likely triggered by a lack of natural daylight in winter.

“It affects levels of the hormones melatonin and serotonin in the part of the brain controlling mood, sleep and appetite; our circadian rhythms. Long periods of gloomy skies and longer darker evenings can trigger low mood, sleep problems, overeating and anxiety.”

On arrival at the Vitamin Me classes, guests were greeted not with mats or dumbbells, but with sun loungers, the scent of sun cream, the sounds of waves lapping through their headphones and a pit of sand to dip their feet in to.

Some gentle stretches open the class, then once comfy on their sun loungers, guests switched on their light therapy lamp for 15 minutes of artificial day light, proven to improve mood and energy levels.

Ms Slater added: “According to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, light therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85 per cent of SAD cases.”

The class ended with a high intensity 10-minute cardio session designed to release endorphins that trigger a feel-good feeling in the body and mind.

The development of the Vitamin Me class comes as research reveals that 41% of people say the clocks going back changes their mood for the worse. Women are more likely to be affected than men, and 45-54 year olds are those who feel the effects of the ‘winter blues’ the most.

Linden Henson from David Lloyd Club Hampton said: “When we discovered that 41% of people suffered due to the change in weather and daylight hours, we wanted to introduce a class that helped combat those feelings and so the Vitamin Me class was developed.”

Depending on the success of the trial, David Lloyd Clubs will look into rolling out the class across the UK during the upcoming winter months.