Spalding man has become a worldwide HIIT with online training sessions

A Spalding man who swapped the fryer for fitness is helping people across the world stay in shape during the pandemic.

Chris Shingles (39) fell in love with fitness after running the London Marathon and left his job as manager of Linford’s Traditional Fish and Chips in Market Deeping after more than 20 years to follow his new passion.

Over the last year, personal trainer Mr Shingles has seen the online side of his business, Chrisfit, flourish with more than 170 members - even from some as far away as Australia.

He said: “It is crazy to think that I have people from Canada, South Africa and Australia watching my videos.

“Hiitstep is the main class that I do and it is worldwide. Last year I got involved with a live stream event and people said that they loved the way I teach and do the work out so they got onto my Facebook page.

“I do a class live at 9.30am every morning but there are people across the world doing it later at night.

“It is funny to think that I have people from Australia and South Africa watching my videos which are made in Spalding.

“Fitness has become really important since the pandemic hit as it helps everyone’s wellbeing and that has really struck home.”

Hiitstep which is a high intensity workout using bodyweight and a step.

Mr Shingles, who had worked at Linfords for 22 years, said that swapping his classes from from gyms to streaming live into people’s living rooms has helped him to develop a host of new skills, such as presenting.

He said: “It is really weird when I did my first live stream for Hiitstep. I was streaming at one stage got 10,000 views on a 30 minute video.

“When I look back at my first videos they are cringey. I was quite camera shy as I had never done this before but then I thought lets give this a go.”

Mr Shingles, who was quite unfit, developed a passion for fitness after taking part in the marathon in 2011.

For more information go to www.Chrisfitness.co.uk