Only embraces gym work, frankly (6)

I believe the answer is:

openly

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'frankly' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'only embraces gym' is the wordplay.
'embraces' indicates putting letters inside.
'gym' becomes 'pe' (Physical Education).
'only' placed around 'pe' is 'OPENLY'.

'work' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

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(Other definitions for openly that I've seen before include "In an overt way" , "without secrecy" , "Candidly, without concealment." , "Frankly, honestly" , "In candid, up-front manner" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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