Member Article

Checkatrade’s parent company unveils fitness arm

The company behind Checkatrade, a website which allows visitors to read and publish reviews on tradesmen from a variety of sectors, has launched a website for the personal training and fitness market.

Visitors to Checkatrainer.com can search for a qualified, recommended practitioner – based on reviews, qualifications and a comprehensive 11-stage vetting process.

Co-founder of Checkatrainer.com, Tom Cowd believes that as the popularity of the fitness industry in the UK grows, a service to weed out the rogues is becoming necessary. He explains: “In today’s day and age, the service that Checkatrainer.com offers is hugely important. Your body and health are two things that you cannot afford to risk. But, unfortunately, more and more people are putting their wellbeing on the line by unwittingly employing unqualified, incapable individuals.

Part of The Chichester-headquartered Checka-Group, Checkatrainer.com will draw on the inspection systems that are at the core of its sister company, Checkatrade.com, but with its focus firmly on the fitness industry.

Tom added: “I have seen personal trainers working their clients in improper ways and creating nasty injuries. The most common types of injuries tend to be lower back ailments – which create a host of associated problems. We should be encouraging the people of the UK to take care of their health, not scaring them off with bad experiences.”

The company will scrutinise potential members on everything from government qualifications to accreditations, insurance and even proof of identity, to ensure that only the most reputable practitioners can be found through its website.

Kevin Byrne, CEO of the Checka-Group commented: “I am committed to my fitness, and that of my employees - good health is invaluable. To think that there are people up and down the country who are attempting to improve their health and wellbeing, but are instead being taken in by those without the proper skills and qualifications is disgusting.

“I believe that Checkatrainer.com can, and will, make a real difference, and I am delighted that the company is part of the Checka-Group.”

Checkatrade employs 230 staff with a turnover in excess of £14.5m. It has more than 18,500 genuine trade members, growing by an average of 440 new members every month. Over the past 12 months, Checkatrade-certified tradesmen carried out a combined estimated total of £2.7bn worth of work, with complaints at just one in 200 on workmanship, compared to the national average of one in five.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .