Boot camp recruits put through their paces (From Warrington Guardian)

Boot camp recruits put through their paces

12:00pm Saturday 9th June 2012 in News

A PERSONAL trainer has awarded six people a free place in his extreme weight loss boot camp after being bowled over by their heart-rending stories.

Paul Warburton, of Thorneycroft Drive, Fairfield, organised the Warrington Life Changing Challenge for those people most in need of a hand to fight the flab.

The 28-year-old former military man revealed how he agonised over choosing between 16 hopefuls after advertising the challenge in January.

Paul, owner of PW Personal Training, said: “I had been doing my boot camp for about a year with a lot of success and you get to the point where you only need to do so well.

“I saw The Biggest Loser on TV and I realised I had never helped anyone like that who really needed it.”

Paul originally advertised for four people but decided to extend the challenge to six after struggling to narrow down the list of applicants.

One of the six successful candidates, Katie Harrop, pleaded for help after six months of chemotherapy left her unfit and overweight.

Alison Sutcliffe, who also made the cut, was desperate to lose weight so she could one day start a family.

“We got 16 applications over seven weeks and we found it was a really difficult decision,” said Paul.

The 12-month boot camp, now in its third week, involves intense outdoor classes which go ahead come rain or shine. The members can also take part in Paul’s Zumba classes to mix up their training.

It’s not all work and no play however and Paul has taken the group on days out to the Crocky Trail in Chester and Go Ape in Delamere Forest.

Paul added: “It’s not just an opportunity for them to get fit. They are taking control of their lives.”