About Us
"It's not often you get an earful of motivation, a lungful of fresh air and a body buzzing with endorphins all in one hit..." Time Out
British Military Fitness was founded by Robin Cope in 1999 as an alternative to "The lycra clad, swiss ball using, water fountain world of gyms!" The idea behind it was to provide the motivation that the vast majority of us lack when it comes to getting fit. Robin also realised that for any fitness training to be long term and effective, it has to be fun. (It must be working because we currently have over 5000 members exercising every week at our classes.)
Robin always says to our new instructors that if at the end of a class the members feel they have physically achieved something and had fun, then they have been a success.
At BMF we also offer a wide range of events for our members as well as corporate training for companies and bespoke fundraising events for charities.
The BMF Team
BMF is run by a small but experienced team, with over 60 years military service between them. Our main aim is to ensure that our clients get maximum enjoyment and achievement out of our fitness training classes and other activities.
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Robin Cope - Managing Director |
| robin@britmilfit.com |
Commissioned from Sandhurst in 1978, Robin served throughout the world with postings that included seven operational tours of Northern Ireland, The Gulf, and time with the US Special Forces. Retiring at the rank of Major in 1992, Robin worked on humanitarian projects during the War in former Yugoslavia and as a contract soldier in the Middle East and Africa before utilising his fitness and military experience to advise the film and television industry.
Utilising his army qualifications as a unit fitness officer, he set up British Military Fitness in 1999. Robin is always pleased to hear your comments about BMF, especially if you have any bright idea's about how we can improve. |
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Ted - Chairman |
| ted@britmilfit.com |
| Ted runs the whole operation. He is a total animal and hounds the head office team day and night to ensure we are up to scratch... Right, that's enough puns I think! Ted doesn't read his emails very often but if you want to send him some fan mail we promise we will read it out to him. |
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Kevin Lomas - Operations Manager |
| kevin@britmilfit.com |
| Kevin has worked full-time for BMF as the Operations Manager since January 2002 and as such is responsible for the standard of the classes and training of the Instructors. Kevin retired from the Royal Marines Commandos as a Corporal in October 1998, after completing nine years service and Operational Tours of the Gulf and Northern Ireland as well as the highly regarded sniper's course. On leaving the Marines Kevin completed the Premier Diploma in Fitness Training and Sports Therapy and joined Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service as a Fire-fighter and PTI. Kevin started working for BMF as Lead Instructor of our Guildford venue on a part time basis when it opened in April 2000. If you have any feedback about the classes then Kevin would be pleased to hear from you. |
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Crispin Vitoria - Business Development Manager |
| crispin@britmilfit.com |
| Crispin is the only 'civvy' in the BMF team, he joined in 2006 to bring an element of political correctness to the head office team and teach them how to switch on their computers. Crispin previously worked for the youth development charity Raleigh International running their events team and has lead 5 jungle adventure races in Borneo and one in the deserts of Namibia. Crispin has also completed two 3-month expeditions in Namibia as a Deputy Expedition Leader and one in Iceland. Crispin is responsible for developing our events, corporate training and charity fundraising events. If you would like to make contact with Crispin about our events or training side of the business please email him. |
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Simon Richman - Fitness Manager |
| simon@britmilfit.com |
| Simon joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1999 and is now a Lance-Corporal. He qualified as a Physical Training Instructor in 2001 and has recently completed 2 years in the Training Wing. He has worked part time for British Military Fitness since 2003 and has now come on board full time after working in the City for 7 years. Originally from South Africa, where he went to school and university, Simon also qualified as a game ranger (so if you need any advice on wild animals, he is your man). He is a sports fanatic and enjoys rugby, marathon running, snowboarding and surf sports and thoroughly enjoys the after sport beers. |
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Barney Larkin - Communications and Membership |
| barney@britmilfit.com |
| Barney is an ex-member of the Honourable Artillery Company. He qualified as a Physical Training Instructor in 2001 and has worked for BMF since then. He is currently the Lead Instructor at Hampstead in London. Barney went to the University of Bristol, and more recently completed a MSc in Public Health at the LSHTM. He enjoys most sports, in particular rugby, and has become addicted to skiing recently - excelling in the apres ski arena. Barney has completed many endurance events in the past including; back to back marathons, triathlons and other 'novel' events. He is receptive to ideas about promoting the company on the wider stage, and is the first port of call for any media, press or advertising enquiries. |