NEW Year often brings resolutions to get fit and 2012 being the year of the London Olympics is likely to give people extra impetus.

It’s also good news for sports coaching businesses, many of which had a decent 2011 despite the UK’s economic traumas.

Chris Craig, business adviser at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland, said: “While the tough economic conditions continue to burden businesses of all shapes and sizes, there are certainly indications that pockets of growth exist in areas that I don’t think anyone would have predicted prior to the recession.

“For example, at the BIC we have seen something of a boom in the amount of sports coaching businesses we have assisted in 2011.”

They include Sport TrainER, which provides bespoke programmes, and Armageddon Fitness, which provides one-to-one coaching and fitness boot camps.

Chris said: “Gym memberships and other expensive hobbies have become less sustainable for the average spender as the recession has continued to deepen.

“As the Olympics approach, people want to be involved in sport, and what I think we are seeing here is a return to more traditional and affordable access to leisure and competitive activities.”

Ivor Harkin, director at Sport TrainER, is a former middle-distance runner who has also worked with the Lawn Tennis Association and is now a sports scientist at Sunderland University.

He said: “I’ve been delighted with the response to my business thus far, and I do believe that timing has played a part as both casual and professional sports people are currently very responsive to bespoke services at affordable rates.

“I am already working with a range of clients, from competitive triathletes to fun runners with eyes on the Great North Run, and individuals recovering from surgery to people who just wish to tone a little.”