TRAINING TOWARDS AN IRONMAN AT AGE 17

"I started at BMF as a 16-year-old, inspired by my dad who for years has been a BMF member. My fitness choice at the time was to either join a gym or a sports team. Playing football for the school was ok, I enjoyed the team spirit but the training was once a week didn't push my fitness levels. On the other hand, I didn’t fancy being stuck in a gym pushing a bar.  BMF ticked both boxes (team spirit + strength work), but with the added bonus of allowing me to be pushed to my physical boundaries beyond where I’d ever imagined. My overall fitness has come so far from when I began. A year later and I feel I can take on the world. Now at 17 and deep into study, nothing beats getting a clear head from revision, leaving the house, getting down to the park and working up a sweat for an hour, then coming back home absolutely buzzing, taking a shower and feeling completely ready to pick up where I left off.  My mates ask me how can I workout in the cold and rain, but that’s what makes BMF – just get out there and do it. I love the sociable aspect and the fact that everyone is treated as an equal regardless of their age or fitness level – something that was really important to me. BMF has also given me huge self-confidence and a belief that I can overcome challenges that I’m hoping I can call upon in later life, especially when I walk into my first job. Next up for me is the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award, then I will follow in dad’s footsteps and start training towards an Ironman triathlon! It’s a big task but why not? I never thought I’d achieve half of what I have done already through BMF, so why not!"

Charlie - 17 - BMF St Albans

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