Burnley College students lead online fitness sessions to help the community during Covid-19

The talented students – currently studying an Advanced Diploma in Fitness Industry Services – are accessing remote teaching and individual support from their tutors alongside working online with diverse audiences

Tutor Holly Lynch, herself an award-winning personal trainer, said: “I’m incredibly proud of my Advanced Level students. They were tasked with going out and getting more people moving while developing their coaching skills during these difficult times.

"Their commitment and determination to put their training into practice has given them their first taste of having ‘real’ clients and given them all a great sense of achievement in very unusual circumstances."

Among the students actively putting their academic theory into practice with the guidance of Holly and other tutors, are Josh Butterworth, Max Rowntree and Caitlin Iannelli.

Josh, aged 17, from Burnley, is a former pupil at Ss John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School, Colne. He has taken inspiration from online classes with Holly to lead his own power and endurance session, and has been coaching family members at home.

Seventeen-year-old Max, from Hebden Bridge, has been running fitness workouts for friends and family online and, working with apps, has been able to provide one-to-one coaching sessions.

Meanwhile, Caitlin (16) has been busy choreographing ‘social distancing workouts’ with family and neighbours. And her studies have helped her create a series of virtual stretching workouts for her grandma who she has not been able to see since the lockdown started.

Holly added: “Students and tutors alike are looking forward to returning to college when the Government lifts restrictions as we’re a close-knit team who inspire and motivate each other on a daily basis.

"We’re all ready to swap lounge, garage and garden workouts for the award-winning gym at Fitness Evolution and make the best use of our learning spaces in our amazing campus.”