Liverpool residents most likely to give amateur fitness advice

BRITAIN is a nation of wannabe PT's, offering out amateur fitness advice to colleagues, friends and family with no professional expertise to base it on, according to new research. The survey of 1,000 UK adults carried out by Focus Training, found that almost ⅔ (61%) of UK gym goers knowingly hand out advice and expertise on exercise and in some cases, nutrition despite having no qualifications in this field.

Workplaces up and down the country are most susceptible to this kind of unsound advice as 44% say they share their 'know how' with colleagues at work. Friends (31%) gym partners (24%) and family (12%) are also commonly targeted with risky, unfounded guidance.

The research goes on to reveal that women are the biggest culprits, as 68% of females surveyed admit they have given this type of advice to others in the past without being confident in what they were saying.

Clare Storer, Commercial Director at Focus Training commented on the findings:- "The data identified a worrying trend of Britons passing on pseudo knowledge of fitness, despite having no qualifications to back it up. I think many people are guilty of this in 1 way or another, and health and fitness is 1 of those areas where people feel they can casually offer out advice without any repercussions, but this practice can be quite dangerous. Gym enthusiasts who are really interested in helping people out in these areas should consider taking up formal training before giving out advice; doing so without this will not help others and could actually cause them harm."

Those aged 18 to 24 are the most likely to hand out fitness advice to friends and family, along with residents in Liverpool.

ALevel success for students at Hugh Baird College's South Sefton Campus

HUGH Baird College students and staff celebrated an impressive pass rate today for their ALevel results. The College's 98.3% ALevel pass rate placed it above the benchmark for 6th Form Colleges nationally and in 17 of the 20 ALevel subjects offered at the College's South Sefton Campus, a perfect 100% pass rate was secured by hard working students and staff.

Even more impressive was the academic level achieved by students, with 47% of results being high grades (A* to B) and 79% of results being graded between A* and C, again putting the College above the national average. Many students will now progress on to higher level study at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Including Durham University, the University of Leeds, the University of Liverpool, the University of York, Manchester University and the University of Nottingham.

One such student was Owen Smith from Bootle who celebrated 2 A* grades in Business Studies and English Language and an A grade in Law. These results now set Owen on his way to the University of Liverpool to study for a degree in Law. An overjoyed Owen said:- "The teachers have been brilliant. I've had an excellent time both socially and academically. I simply wouldn't have been able to get these results if it hadn't been for the amazing tutors at the College."

Natalie Jones, also from Bootle, was another learner with cause to celebrate after achieving 2 A* grades in Media, Drama and an A grade in English Language and Literature.

Megan Holland from Bootle, achieved an A* grade in Sociology and A grades in Psychology and Health and Social Care and will move on to study for a degree in Psychology this coming September at the University of Liverpool. Speaking after picking up her results, Megan said:- "I am delighted with my results today. They set me on my way to get a degree in Psychology and then, in the future, I think I would like to become a Child Psychiatrist."

Reading for a degree in English Literature at the University of Liverpool is the next step for Mai Wadkins from Bootle as she celebrated achieving 3 A grades in English Literature, History and Psychology.

Kieran Munslow will embark on a degree in Electronic Engineering at the University of Liverpool this coming September thanks to achieving 2 A grades in Maths and Physics and a B grade in Computer Science.

Elle Murray from Litherland was delighted with her A* grade in Sociology, A grade in English Language and B grade in Law. These grades ensured she could take up her place at Leeds University to study English Language and Sociology should wish to, but Elle is keeping her options open and is considering taking a year out to travel.

Joe Poole, Director of Curriculum at Hugh Baird College's South Sefton Campus, said:- "I would like to congratulate all our ALevel students on their incredible achievements this year and wish them every success for the future. These results reflect a tremendous amount of hard work by the students as well as the dedication and expertise of our teaching staff who have worked tirelessly to support and challenge them to achieve their potential."