14-15 FITNESS:Layout 1 9/4/08 15:43 Page 2
FITNESS
Ex-Gladiator qualifies
as personal trainer
One of the toughest Gladiators employed or freelance personal
has qualified as a personal trainer. Modules include gym
trainer. Mark ‘Rhino’ Smith instruction, nutrition and weight
successfully completed his NVQ management, advanced
Level 3 programme with training programming and business skills.
provider, Lifetime Health & Mark says: “The personal
Fitness, after joining the Harpers training course was brilliant. The
Gym in Willesden. staff and tutors, particularly Alex
The 38-year-old shot to fame Gillet at Lifetime, were really
in the early 90’s when he joined helpful and their way of teaching
TV’s ‘Gladiators’ as ‘Rhino’ in made the information so much
1995, where he reigned for five easier to absorb.”
years. Warners cast him in his Mark is now delivering one-to-
first major film project in the one sessions at the Harpers
blockbuster ‘Batman Begins’ facility in Willesden on a freelance
Project chosen for Olympic
and he has since appeared in basis. He also teaches Spinning in
‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the the studio plus circuits classes at
and Paralympic showcase
Galaxy’, ‘Rollin’ with the Nines’ the centre’s indoor 60m ‘running The Yorkshire-based Inclusive Fitness Initiative has become one of 12
and ‘Shooters Paradise’. tube’, which attracts a massive 80 projects across the UK to be selected by UK Trade and Investment to
Mark achieved his personal people per session! showcase its fitness equipment scheme as part of the 12 for 2012:
training qualifications with Mark trains people right across Winning With Innovation programme.
Lifetime as well as built up a the spectrum from people on the Chinese journalists along with a trade delegation from the UK embassy
strong portfolio in less than nine Top 20 Rich List and celebrities, in China attended an event at the EIS in Sheffield to gain an insight into
months which will enhance his through to the everyday Londoner. the IFI project as they were given a presentation and demonstration of
13 year career in personal “The clients’ goals include weight the equipment for both disabled and non-disabled people.
training. The NVQ programme loss, general health, event training The 12 for 2012 programme focuses on profiling products and
provides students with the skills, and body building,” says Mark. “I’m services that have revolutionised sport through design and innovation
knowledge, resources and very pro-active when it comes to in materials, products or services.
expertise required to work as an training my clients. It’s important that Richard Caborn MP for Sheffield Central and Ambassador for the
I experience it myself to understand 2018 World Cup Bid, GB wheelchair Paralympians John Hall and Jo
their needs – taking part in activities Harper and Hockey Olympian, Jennie Bimson, were also at the event
like bodybuilding and running to see the equipment being demonstrated.
marathons means I will know what The country’s former Sports Minister, Richard Caborn was delighted
my clients are going through.” that the IFI had been chosen by the UKTI. “During my time as
For more information visit Minister, I took a significant interest in this project. In the 2002
www.lifetimehf.co.uk Commonwealth Games in Manchester, we broke ground by
integrating disabled athletes within the competition and it would be
Regional fitness centre set for Sheffield
fitting if this UK initiative could help develop new opportunities for
disabled people not only in China, but throughout the Olympic and
Sheffield City Council has granted Sheffield United Football Club Paralympic movements.”
planning permission for a new flagship learning and training centre The IFI, with the support of the English Federation of Disability Sport
which is set to become a regional focal point for sport. (EFDS), has been working with equipment suppliers and
Facilities at the centre, to be located adjacent to the club’s manufacturers, fitness chain operators and fitness industry training
Shirecliffe Football Academy, will include all-weather football pitches, providers for seven years to ensure that gyms across England and
classrooms and accommodation for start-up businesses. Northern Ireland are fully accessible for disabled people and their work
The football club is also pitching to house the National Skills Academy’s will now be promoted at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics this
Sports and Active Leisure Hub for Yorkshire and Humberside at the site. summer, with the IFI invited to exhibit at the Games.
The 20,000sq ft centre will be the third training and learning facility This year 40,000 disabled people will start using one of the 186
operated by SUFC, following similar sites at the Bramall Lane stadium facilities in the UK accredited by the IFI, with the number of accredited
and the club’s Academy of Excellence. gyms expected to double by the end of 2009.
The club plans to begin construction work on the site this summer, The IFI has driven the development of an accredited list of fitness
with completion expected sometime during Spring 2009. equipment with the research and development being lead by
John Stacey, SUFC’s Head of Property, said: “The scheme, which Sheffield-based sport and leisure consultants Montgomery Leisure
will incorporate accommodation for start up businesses, learning Services alongside South Yorkshire’s SportsPulse Project and
facilities and upgraded football training facilities, is still subject to grant Sheffield Hallam University. The Initiative has been made possible
funding which we are currently in the process of securing.” through funding from Sport England.
www.ukleisurenews.co.uk March / April 2008 UK LEISURE NEWS 15
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