Local health club helps Andrew prepare for UK challenge

nailseapeople.co.uk, 27.04.2011

A local Yatton man has made it through the final of ‘The UK Challenge’ thanks to the help of his local health club and spa.

Andrew Boyle (51) will now join five team mates in June when he will take part in a series of physical and mental challenges to raise money for the NSPCC.

Billed as ‘the ultimate team-building event for businesses across the UK’ the UK Challenge is to take place over three days and four nights on Exmoor. Teams will take part in kayaking, mountain biking, navigating by torchlight, running and cracking codes and completing complex tasks.

With details confirmed only hours before each stage, teams compete against the clock and against each other, while the organisers constantly push them to their limits. To get to this stage Andrew has gone through an intense selection programme which has already tested his powers of endurance and mental toughness and seen him loose two and a half stone in weight.

A self-confessed adventure traveller, Andrew works as a solution analyst for Hewlett Packard and is now looking forward to competing against 120 teams from across the country.

To get to this stage Andrew embarked on a rigorous fitness regime that has seen him make the most of the state-of-the-art equipment at theclub, Cadbury House in Congresbury.

And Andrew believes that it was the range of equipment at the award-winning health club that has helped see him secure his place on the team ahead of 20,000 other HP employees.

His aim is to now raise £2,000 for the charity with the team goal being £12,000.

Commenting on his selection Andrew said: “Before I put my name down to take part in this challenge I used to do a little training and laugh at gym goers!

“However having discovered the range of equipment available and what it does I now look at the facilities in a completely different way and go five times a week.

“It’s the variety of what’s available that has been key to me not only becoming fitter but enabled me to compete successfully during the selection process.”

Part of Andrew’s selection to take part in the UK event was a weekend in the Brecon Beacons. Not sure what to expect one challenge saw him run 17 miles on the Friday night with his previous best being only four!

He added: “I use a selection of equipment including the wave machines, treadmills, Expresso Bikes and perhaps most importantly the Vibrogyms.

“The bikes, treadmills and wave machines helped build my stamina and fitness while the Vibrogyms have built strength and helped my legs recover massively through their massage programmes.

“I’m now looking forward to the event in June and will maintain my regime to make sure I’m in top condition. I’m also hoping to reach my target of £2,000 and hope as many people pledge some money for this very worth while cause.”

Jason Eaton, manager at theclub said: “Andrew is an inspiration. Before he was very much a casual user of the facilities and it’s great he’s now discovered the benefits each piece of equipment can bring.

“He has also been tenacious in his preparations and we’ll be giving Andrew plenty of support as he builds towards the event in June.”

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