A WEE COUNTY personal trainer has launched what he believes to be a first-of-a-kind health and wellness programme.

Late last year, Dan Hancock opened a gym for people who suffer from mental health problems.

Those who struggle to attend a regular gym could arrange to use Dan's Stirling-based gym on their own or in small groups, thus eliminating certain pressures and fears.

However, since lockdown, Dan has evolved his idea and now offers an online training programme which focusses on overall wellbeing, rather than traditional factors such as strength and fitness.

Dan, who lives in Alloa, was inspired after gaining a huge following during the Covid-19 lockdown due to live workout videos.

The personal trainer told the Advertiser: "Obviously the gym closed so I had to move everything online, but it has worked in my favour and has been amazing for me.

"I got more than 20,000 people watching my videos and that allowed me to build my own mental health PT brand.

"I have begun making my own qualification with the SQA because I've been the only one doing mental health with fitness.

"When you think of the fitness industry everything you see is models and zero per cent body fat. These ideas of body images aren't helpful and are not realistic and puts a lot of people off starting in the first place.

"Progress is usually marked by before and after photos, but I thought I'll do something totally different."

Since then, Dan has created the body and mind programme and, as far as he is aware, he is the only personal trainer doing such a thing.

Rather than focussing on body image, Dan's clients will focus on personal areas such as happiness, confidence, work-life balance, as well as traditional fitness goals.

The response to the new concept has been huge with hundreds applying for the first intake, including a family from Canada wanting to take part.

Dan said: "I opened it to five people to begin with and over 300 applied, so the reception has been massive.

"The response has, in general, been great because people are asking why this has not been done before. I think this should be more widespread."

Such is the success of the venture, Dan is adamant that he will never go back to traditional personal training and will continue to focus on the mental health aspect.

"This is me now," he said: "This is where I am.

"People will be able to use my gym, but for me myself I won't go back to one-to-one training because I can now put more time into this now.

"If this helps one person or makes someone look at fitness a different way, then it's worth it."

Anyone wishing to contact Dan or find out more about what he offers can visit facebook.com/danhancockfitness