KEEP-FIT enthusiasts have taken steps to stop the credit crunch affecting business at a Glasgow sports retailer.

Family owned Greaves Sports has seen sales for last month and the opening weeks of 2009 trump figures for the same period 12 months ago.

The company, which has its main store in Gordon Street, near Central Station, and others in Sauchiehall Street, the Buchanan Galleries and at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, has seen sales increase 15%.

According to customer feedback, most shoppers are switching to sport, specifically running, as a release from the stresses of the slump.

Greaves said there had been a noticeable increase in the number of customers buying running shoes over the last seven weeks and stating their intention to take up the sport for the first time.

Gordon Charlton, manager of the store's running department, said: "We are seeing more and more people taking up sport, or at least intending to, this January than during the same month last year.

"Customers said they intended to take up running because they needed only a new pair of running shoes to allow them to hit the city's streets.

"But we have also seen the same thing happening throughout the store in other sports.

"Sports equipment has always been a popular Christmas present choice, with many people and their partners hoping to turn over a new leaf in the New Year.

"But it has been much more noticeable in recent weeks."

Although many people have been buying just a pair of trainers, they have been splashing out at the top end of the market, with many plumping to pay close to £100 to ensure they have the best shoes for their needs.

The fitness surge co- incides with one of Glasgow's gyms being named as one of the best in the UK.

The health suite at the Radisson SAS in Argyle Street is one of four named in the Black Book of Fitness by the magazine Men's Health's. The suite was highlighted for having some of the best facilities in Britain.

The news comes as a survey claimed women alone will spend £2.6billion on fitness equipment this year.

But the poll of 2000 women found a quarter of them started a fitness regime last year - and lasted an average of less than four months.

This year, the average woman will spend £181 on equipment, clothes, exercise DVDs and gym membership - and rarely use any of it.