July 2017
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Enthusiasts aim to change lives on record trip By Olivia Taylor A PAIR of inspirational fitness enthusiasts are doing their bit to change lives across the country, while attempting to break a world record. Motivational speaker Shaun Gash, who’s been in a wheelchair for 26 years following an accident which left him paralysed, and personal trainer Gavin Levitt will attempt to travel self propelled in wheelchairs from Land’s End to John O’ Groats in under 20 days, setting a new world record. On their travels, they will pass through 20 different towns and want to make an impact in each place, not only by supporting local charities and people in need, but by getting locals to make a commitment to changing the lives of others within their community. Gavin said: “We want to show people that they can get up off their backsides and do something with us. “We want teams to join in and get sponsored. Find a local charity close to your heart and we will raise money for them.” Gavin first met Shaun at an obstacle race in 2015 and since then the pair have gone on to
form a strong friendship, tackling various challenges together, including climbing Kilimanjaro. He added: “When I first saw Shaun I was in awe of how everyone in his team came together at the race, and I thought I want to do that, I want to be part of the team. “Now we’ve got a fantastic bond. He’s 100 per cent a lunatic so we fit together well. I’ve only known him two years but it feels like I’ve known him all my life. He inspires me and I think I just make him laugh. We bounce off each other.” The duo will leave Land’s End at 6am on August 9; arriving at John O Groats on August 27 and passing through places including Exeter, Gloucester, Warrington and Inverness en route. Able-bodied Gavin, who is also taking on the added challenge of taking part in a wheelchair, said: “I’ve got some funny looks while I’ve been training. “When I get out of the wheelchair normally people either look at me and think what on earth are you doing or they think it’s a miracle.” n Find out more or support the challenge at www.20twentychallenge.org.uk
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Healthiest workers in the UK are revealed
Presenter, fitness expert and Wonder Woman Amazon Jenny Pacey and renowned fitness expert Dean Hodgkin will host the 2017 National Fitness Awards, Workout can reveal. Taking place at the Athena in Leicester on Friday December 1, the NFAs celebrate excellence in all parts of the sector, rewarding clubs and individuals for all their hard work, with over 20 trophies up for grabs. Enter now or find out more at www. nationalfitnessawards.co.uk and see page three for more details about this year’s event.
TRADESPEOPLE and fitness professionals are the healthiest workers in the UK, according to research. The survey of 2,014 UK adults by Ironmongery Direct revealed those working in trades such as plumbing, construction and electrical installation came out on top due to the nature of their jobs, which can see them being active for up to seven hours per day. According to the results, health and fitness professionals, such as personal trainers, are the second healthiest workers and are physically mobile for about five hours per day. Unsurprisingly those working in offices are the most sedentary, according to figures, with marketing, information and communications and call centre workers all failing to be active for an hour per day, burning less than 300 calories through work related activity. However, almost one in five UK workers ‘top up’ their activity levels with a weekly gym session. The rest of the top five healthiest industries was made up of agriculture, retail and manufacturing.