Quantity Surveying student using passion for fitness to help students at GCU
A fitness fanatic and Quantity Surveying student is looking to help improve student wellbeing by offering personal training sessions.
MSc Quantity Surveying student Jonny Butler wants to use his passion for fitness to help students with both their physical and mental health, by offering personal trainer services to students across GCU.
After taking an interest in fitness in 2013, Jonny discovered the benefits of exercise and has since used it to improve his overall wellbeing, combatting the struggles of online learning. Jonny has also worked as a fitness instructor, where he developed his love of helping others reach the best version of themselves.
Starting university in 2022 studying International Business, Jonny had to complete his coursework from home and exercising helped take his mind off online learning. He said: “I wanted to open my services up to students purely because of my own experience as a student.
I struggled during my undergraduate degree, due to a lot of it being online and my first real experience of being at university not coming until 4th year. We all got to return to campus again, but it became quite overwhelming. This new type of learning was suddenly thrown at you and you had to adjust again pretty quickly.”
As well as one to one coaching, Jonny also offers online training sessions, which includes regular check-ins. Jonny understands the benefits of exercising and has even seen the positive influence it can have on his clients. He explained: “Using myself as an example, it really helped me get through my assignments, essays, dissertation, etc. When you feel like you’re struggling a bit with it, exercising can almost lift that weight off your shoulders.
Exercising releases a lot of endorphins and you really notice it after finishing a work out; whether it’s a game of football, a jog or even a walk. When you go back to your studies again, you have a much clearer mind and it helps you get back on track.”
He added: “Exercising is a really good way to relieve stress and you even find that as a PT, you almost become their life coach as well. During sessions, I’ve saw clients totally open up and you can see the stress leave their bodies.
One of my clients is in a similar position to how I was – he’s in his final year of his university course and we do a lot of boxing during the sessions and he’s able to take out his frustrations. Already I can see a total shift in his mental health and he’s improving all the time, which is really interesting to see.”
Find out more about Jonny’s Personal Training offers on his Instagram page
By Rachael McAlonan
Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media here