A MAN who was once the youngest fitness trainer in the Army has created an online tool to help people manage and stick to their diet and exercise routines.

Personal trainer Phil Crosby has devised web-based health and exercise organiser – iexerci.se – which provides a forum for monitoring training and eating habits, as well as social networking.

Mr Crosby, from Rookhope, County Durham, created the site in response to client demand for a quick and easy way to manage fitness programmes. He also offers support from an online community.

The website allows users to track daily food intake, and download or create fitness programmes.

The site will be launched by Mr Crosby at the national Diet and Fitness Show at London’s Olympia, on January 23 and 24.

He said: “It all started when one of my clients was moving to Cyprus.

“He asked me to recommend a web tool where I could upload training programmes for him and he could input his progress.

“The more I researched it, the more I realised there was a huge gap in the market for a comprehensive online personal organiser.”

After a six-figure investment from private backers and 18 months in development, the site is ready for launch.

Mr Crosby said: “In the next two months, people will be able to upload their food diaries, join forums where they can get support from other members and access a huge number of training programmes.”