Special needs focus at boxer's 'dream' gym

A former builder-turned-boxer says opening his own gym to help young people with special needs and women improve their fitness is a dream come true.

Bobby Brannen, from Rugby, Warwickshire, started Fitness by Bobby 18 months ago and went viral on social media with a video of him training his younger brother, who has special educational needs (SEN).

That led to the 21-year-old training more than 100 people at his home gym, before expanding to run classes at Brownsover Community Hall.

Brannen has now moved into his own fitness centre in Dunchurch: "It was my dream but if you'd told me a few months down the line its gonna be real, I'd be like, 'you're having a laugh, really'!"

Brannen started boxing after college and won the Midlands Elite title, after turning to the sport following a course as a personal trainer which he had taken.

"A couple of months ago, I was on holiday and I'd seen this post where a facility was being advertised. We had a look and it just felt right." he said of the new gym.

His popularity grew after a video of him training his brother, who has disabilities, was posted online and parents with children who also have SEN started to get in touch.

"Even on Saturday, I had a family travel from Liverpool to my class," he said.

"It just made me feel like we've created this place where people can come to feel welcome and it just shows how needed it is."

However Brannen said he was not content with just using his boxing skills to help people improve their fitness.

He has expanded to include dancing classes for young people with SEN, as well as running a dedicated women-only boxing class.

Brannen said Fitness by Bobby was a "dream come true" and he was "immensely proud" of the role his brother has played in it.

"Now I've got my own place to teach lots of kids and adults with disabilities, lots more classes," he added.

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