A PERSONAL trainer from Kilwinning has been named Fitness Student of the Year by Ayrshire College.

Dad-of-two Kevin Dolan juggled his studies with working at Pure Gym and building his own personal training business, The HIITMAN too.

And he surpassed his own expectations after landing a place in third year of university, studying Sports Science, Kevin had been hoping for a second year place.

But his hard work and commitment paid off and his future is looking brighter than ever.

Like other students, Kevin, 34, had to do a lot of his studies via Zoom for his HND Sport and Fitness but he enjoyed building his own client base of people he would train.

“It was hard for every student who had to cope with not being in a classroom for most of the time and learning via Zoom lectures but you find a way through it,” said Kevin.

“The course was brilliant and I enjoyed the theory side of it as you learn so much about the human body and the science of fitness.

“It had its moments when the gyms re-opened and I had to juggle college, family life and work, I won’t lie it was intense but I think I worked well under the pressure if anything it set me in good stead for the pressures of university.

“I’ve definitely become an expert in planning my week out and making sure I’m not burning out.”

Kevin works at Pure Gym and has also hosted boot camps and HIIT sessions throughout lockdown and for this PT, seeing his clients smash their fitness goals, no matter how small, is something he finds rewarding.

“People can sometimes feel stuck in a rut and I just come along and help them see what they are capable of,” explained Kevin.

“Seeing them grow and feel more confident is a fantastic feeling.”