JAMES Watt College is giving fitness fanatics the opportunity to put their dreams of a career in fitness under starter's orders thanks to an evening course starting at the Waterfront Leisure Complex in Greenock this month.

Two local lads who have had the chance to kick-start their careers as gym instructors thanks to this course are cousins David Brown (26) from Greenock and Gary Brown (25) from Port Glasgow.  David and Gary, who work for Inverclyde Leisure as leisure attendants, have both had the opportunity to work as relief gym instructors since completing the course.

Gary said: "I wanted to go on the Gym Instructor course as I knew gaining a recognised professional qualification would help my job prospects in the long term. Since completing the course we have managed to picked up extra work as relief gym instructors."

David said: "I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who is interested in a career in health and fitness. It has opened up more opportunities for me and the tutor was excellent. I am dyslexic and she made sure I was given the support I needed throughout the course. Without that it would have been difficult for me."

The course is delivered through a mixture of practical and theory teaching, covering areas including cardiovascular programming, nutrition, health and safety, and anatomy. Successful completion of the 18-week course, results in students receiving a recognised professional qualification awarded by Fitness Scotland.

Sharron Skinner, business development officer at the college, said: "The 18-week Gym Instructor course is an ideal option for those considering a career in the sports industry. The flexibility of the evening classes also means that students can take part in the course without it infringing on work commitments."

The course starts on 29 September and classes will be held every Wednesday evening, 6 to 9pm. Participants may be eligible for £200 Individual Learning Accont (ILA) funding towards the cost of this course.