Personal trainer honoured for work at Whale Island gym

Keith McCormick, right, receives his award from Commanding Officer Martin Evans Picture: Ken Gaunt

The 38-year-old has been awarded the Herbert Lott award, which acknowledges efforts made by military or civilian personnel to make the Senior Service more efficient.

The physical training instructor secured funding from the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity to increase capacity on Whale Island’s gym by more than half by building a mezzanine floor.

When he took over at the gym (designed for 400 people), it was expected to deal with a population, at its peak, of more than 2,500 on Whale Island.

Mr McCormick said: ‘It has been a pleasure working on Whale Island. I have loved working with my small team to deliver personal development, advising on realistic and sustainable changes to people’s lives – they’ve been receptive – and looking at physical training in a different way.’

Over two years he promoted healthy living, provided nutritional advice and supplied more opportunities for military and civilian personnel working at HMS Excellent.

With the assistance of a small team, the PTI brought a range of generic and bespoke fitness programmes, including kratos (fitness/acrobatics) and the 100 and 500-mile clubs, engaged in the Navyfit initiative and ensured at least nine out of every 10 sailors and Royal Marines were fit for test.

He introduced simple exercises and routines for the office environment and provided advice on how to improve posture and alleviate back pain.

He sends weekly emails giving health, fitness and nutritional tips, and hosts a ‘drop-in’ crèche to broaden gym access for MOD staff with young children two times a week.

Commanding Officer Martin Evans presented McCormick with his award and said: ‘CPO McCormick’s ideas, innovation and efficiencies, combined with his warm, friendly approach has made HMS Excellent gym the most inclusive I have ever come across.’