Nottinghamshire-based Lorna Marie Fitness celebrates four years of her Online Squad
Four years on from setting up her own business in the pandemic, an online fitness coach has created a thriving community of followers and has raised more than £10k for charity.
Lorna Bell set up Lorna Marie Fitness and the Online Squad overnight after losing her job as a freelance gym class instructor when the pandemic hit — and has since launched her own trademarked brand, won multiple awards and seen her business boom.
Lorna, who calls on husband William Bell for technological support, said: “At first, it was just as a means to give everyone structure, something to look forward to, keep our bodies and our minds happy and healthy. It became much more than that.
”We're now four years old and I can hand-on-heart say that creating Lorna's Online Squad was the best decision I ever made.
“We are stronger than ever and you know what they say, a rising tide lifts all ships. We're going places.”
Lorna’s fitness classes attract 200 participants each week for a variety of workouts — including her recently trademarked brand YogaScape, which she launched to more than 100 people at the International Fitness Showcase in Blackpool.
Her classes have even attracted members from as far afield as Budapest, South Africa and New Zealand.
The launch of the YogaScape — which is one of her squaddies’ favourite classes — means other instructors can teach Lorna’s classes to clients across the world.
“We're presenting at lots more fitness festivals this year too — it's all so exciting and we never thought we'd be doing this,” Lorna added.
“It's been a wild journey but I just want to take this opportunity to thank all squaddies, present and past and everyone who's supported us along the way.
“It's been immense and things are only getting better. We want to help more people get fitness to fit into their busy lifestyles and help the people of Nottinghamshire — and beyond — get fitter, healthier, happier and more confident in their own skin.”
The new brand is just the latest in a long line of success for Lorna Marie Fitness, with Lorna having been named Muddy Stillettos’ Best Fitness Instructor Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire for two years running and coming in the top five nationally in 2023.
Friday, March 29, marked four years of the Online Squad, and to celebrate 84 members came together for a huge online workout in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Together they raised £1,024 for the cause, which is close to Lorna’s heart.
Lorna said: “It's a charity very close to mine and Will's hearts as since we started Lorna's Online Squad, my mum, Will's dad and Will's brother have all battled with cancer. They're all now — touch wood — free from cancer but we know so many people who are still fighting this disease, some who are in our squad too. We were ecstatic to say we raised £1,024.
“Since starting the squad, we've raised over £10,000 for different charities and will continue to support where we can.”
They’ve also collected a tonne of food for Nottinghamshire food banks and raised over over £2,000 for The Children’s Bereavement Centre in Newark by completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
