A ‘body management’ business is on the starting blocks for expansion after continued investment in infrastructure and training, which has allowed the company to provide new services aimed at improving fitness and wellbeing.

Be Fit Body Management was set up in 2005 by Michael Pellegrino with the help of Business Link, after he spotted a gap in the market for a personal training service within a gym setting, combining privacy and access to state-of-the-art equipment.

He commented: “Having worked as a freelance personal trainer for nine years, I had a good idea of what health clubs were doing well and where improvements could be made.

“I had developed a strong reputation in the industry and realised there was an opportunity to set up a personal training business from a dedicated premises, which would still provide an exclusive service to clients with access to high-tech equipment. There was also the advantage of spending less time travelling which would allow me to offer more sessions.”

Keen to get involved, Michael’s sister Antonia, a graduate in Psychology who was working as a dance teacher at the time, decided to get her personal trainer qualifications and support Michael in his venture. To get the business off to the best possible start, Michael contacted Business Link for advice and guidance and was referred to the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC) for funding towards securing the premises at Kenton Park.

Over the past 18 months Michael has continued to tap into Business Link support and as a result has been able to expand Be Fit’s gym and consultation facilities and to introduce new services.

The business now employs seven trainers and has a growing client base which includes athletes, the general public and even other personal trainers. Last year Be Fit took over the upstairs of the premises to accommodate its rapid growth and is now set to expand into other parts of the UK and Europe. In fact, Michael is already working with athletes in the South of France, a market which he plans to capitalise on. Michael added: “Be Fit has quickly developed an unrivalled reputation, which is testament to our fantastic facilities, services and staff. It’s extremely rewarding to be working with multi-million pound athletes and impacting on their performance. Former Newcastle Falcons player, Tom May personally thanked me for helping him reach his peak strength levels when he was named Player of the Year before his move to Toulon last year, which was extremely satisfying.”

Specific support provided by Business Link adviser Jamie Penfold has included access to funding from the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC) to support Antonia with training in Kinesiology, a complimentary service to benefit Be Fit clients. Antonia is now the only trainer in the UK who is able to offer Health Kinesiology within a training facility - a holistic complementary therapy that helps the body recover from conditions such as illness, allergies and stress by restoring its natural energy balance. As a result, Antonia now runs Be-Fit Tranquillo, a new division under the Body Management brand, which combines Kinesiology with other ‘mind management’ techniques including yoga, massage and reflexology.

In addition, the business has benefitted from support towards marketing initiatives and, in particular, increasing its online presence to reflect the company’s image and to showcase its expanding range of services. Michael says it’s crucial for new businesses to make the most of the support available: “Through Business Link I have been able to access advice, guidance, training and financial support to get the business off on the right footing and grow much quicker than I would have otherwise been able to.

“The training support has been particularly helpful, as the more qualified our staff are the more we can offer to our clients. With Business Link’s help Be Fit has been flying from the word go and we plan to maximise this support further as the business continues to grow.”

Business Link adviser, Jamie Penfold said: “The business has undergone a phenomenal amount of growth over the past 18 months. Michael and Antonia have a very modern and forward thinking approach to health and fitness which is reflected throughout the services offered at Be Fit.

“They have taken full advantage of the support available to realise their ambitions and have readily contacted me whenever they felt they needed support or advice. It is extremely satisfying to see the results of what they have achieved.”

Business Link has a team of expert advisers who offer advice, help and information to individuals and companies across the region, giving them access to the ‘business brains’ who will help to get their business idea off the ground, or grow their existing company. For further information about Business Link visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast or call 0845 600 9 006.