MERIDEN, Conn. -- One Connecticut police department has found a way to improve the fitness of its officers without spending a dime.

The Meriden Police Department recently added a cardio room to the department’s traditional weight room. The cardio room was funded with money seized by police.

“What we wanted to do here, is just get a cardio room at the request of the guys,” said Lt. Steve Lespier of the Meriden Police Department. “We actually have asset forfeiture money, which is money that we were able to obtain through drug buys and drug arrests.”

The cardio room is equipped with commercial-grade workout equipment.

Lespier said having the equipment available encourages officers to work out more because it doesn’t cost them anything and it’s convenient.

“A lot of times on the way to work, you don’t have time to go to a regular gym, so you are able to change here, shower here, come work out, and then go home,” Lespier said.

Chief Jeffrey Cossette researched the legality of using the seized funds to fund the workout room.