A FORMER soldier has brought his expertise in ‘functional fitness’ to Middlewich, opening a personal training gym in the King Street trading estate.

Phil Rigden, who served eight years in the British Army including two tours of Afghanistan, moved to Middlewich in 2013 and spotted a gap in the market.

Initially returning abroad to work in private security in Iraq, Phil struggled with spending eight months each year away from his wife and young daughter, and so settled in Cheshire.

In June of this year, he opened Zero44 Strength and Fitness and has enjoyed early success in attracting members to a more structured way of training.

Phil said: “I decided to pack it in and do what I always wanted to do.

“I don’t think the fitness industry as a whole offers a whole lot; it has frustrated me for quite some time and I wanted to do something about it from the inside.

“I want to give all members and clients access to the training to train like athletes. I’m not trying to downplay the commercial industry but I don’t think it’s getting people very far.

“People really need more instruction and more guidance, and that’s where my hands-on coaching makes a difference.

After three months in business, Phil can already count a professional rugby player among his diverse clientele, with men and women of all ages and abilities enjoying tailored sessions.

They are just some of the converts turning their backs on modern gyms and looking towards the ever-rising market of strength and conditioning work.

Phil said: “Being ex-military and having trained for so many years to be functionally fit, it’s about giving people access to train properly and be stronger, more mobile, more agile, with better fitness.

“Body condition is huge thing in the fitness market, but my facility is all about if you train to perform better you will ultimately look better.”