Boot camp exercise firm flexes its muscles

OUTDOOR fitness firm Burn It is racing ahead with plans to roll out its franchise operations south of the Border as it aims to build itself up into a “household name” across the UK.

The Livingston-based company was launched just two years ago by Paul Duffy and John Laurie but has already grown to include 25 staff and operations in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow and Stirling.

Franchising the business has also helped Burn It to reach markets in Dundee, East Lothian, Elgin, Inverness and Perth.

The company offers a range of services including fitness sessions and exercise “boot camps”.

But Duffy and Laurie have already expanded the business into lifestyle and nutritional coaching, residential camps and merchandising.

The range of services also include exercise “boot camps” for babies and children, and team-building sessions for businesses.

Laurie said: “Outdoor fitness training has been used by military groups for a long time but, through Burn It, we have taken the concept to an exciting new level.

“Harnessing both the physical and psychological benefits of working at an individual’s own pace in the fresh air in a location within the community – and providing social media channels through which our members can communicate, motivate each other and interact – have become central to the success of the business.”

Duffy, who worked in sales and marketing in the leisure industry for eight years before setting up Burn It, added: “We have continued to invest in the long-term growth of the business and are confident that we can turn Burn It into a household name in the UK.”

Duffy expects turnover to double this year to £250,000 following a doubling last year to £122,000. Profits rose from £3,000 to just over £33,000 last year.

Laurie, a former general manager of a national gym chain who gained a Master’s degree in business administration from Edinburgh University, expects to take on further staff thanks to the increasing demand for the firm’s boot camp sessions, held in outdoor locations such as parks.