Getting into shape to celebrate after the big day

Nov 16 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

A GUISBOROUGH entrepreneur has come up with a new spin on wedding receptions ... after they’ve cut the cake, get your guests to work off the calories at an Army-style boot camp.

Matt Stirland, the winner of last year’s If We Can, You Can campaign to find the Tees Valley’s most innovative new business thinker, has launched the new venture to combat adult obesity and whip grown-ups into shape.

Military Fitness Group will offer themed corporate packages, boot camps at weddings and parties, and pay-as-you-go events.

The idea is an extension of Mr Stirland’s Streetlife Youth Fitness, which has turned over £50,000 since its launch in May by taking health and fitness into local schools - including his former place of study, Nunthorpe School - and uses LifePod technology to monitor students’ heart rate and fitness levels.

Military Fitness Group, which will operate as a completely separate division, goes live next month and the former fireman is already in discussions with local accommodation providers to offer packages to individuals and corporate customers.

Company team building packages will range from £1,500 a day, while a three-day boot camp-style wedding or party will cost around £650 a day.

Mr Stirland, who is projecting first year annual revenues of £100,000, said: “It’s a no-brainer for the hotels if we can get 25 people staying there for two or three nights and spending their money.

“I’ve been marketing the concept through social networking sites and had requests from at least 50 people who want to get involved.”

He got the idea after speaking with friend and former Army training instructor, Tony Hardy, who will be involved in running some of the sessions alongside other former Army personnel.

The concept will be trialled in the Tees Valley before being rolled out across the UK.

Mr Stirland’s career took a radical change of direction last year after he failed to raise the £250,000-plus needed to kick-start a chain of healthy clubs for children.

Instead, the 30-year-old ploughed around £25,000 of his own funds into Streetlife in a bid to encourage local children to lead a healthier lifestyle.