30 November 2010 Last updated at 05:05 ET

Madonna opens gym in Mexico City

Madonna helped to design the gym

Hundreds of fans turned out to see singer and fitness fanatic Madonna open her first gym in Mexico City.

The 52-year-old taught a short dance lesson to a handful of Hard Candy members at the event.

The name is taken from her eleventh studio album, which topped the charts around the world in 2008.

"It's a sexy name that gives you the opportunity to have fun and to build strength as far as the imagination will allow," she said.

The star, who is hoping to open a chain of gyms, said she chose to Mexico City for the first one because she likes the energy of the people.

"Our plan is to use Mexico as a place to fine-tune our brand and then expand it to other countries," added the star.

Madonna's love for exercise has been well-documented over the years.

It is thought she works out every day and follows a carefully controlled diet.

Membership costs 2,000 pesos a month (£103) a month with a one-time joining fee of 10,400 pesos (£534), which includes the first two months of membership.

Chris Dedicik, who helped Madonna create the gym, said the star was very hands-on when designing the concept.

"She chose the graphics, colours, the machines. She has weighed in on the choreography of all the classes and given them a twist to make them more dynamic, more special and to better reflect her style," he said.

"If any of you have seen my shows, you know that I don't skimp on them and the same is true for the gym," Madonna said.

"We spend what it takes to make a globally first-class gym."