PERSONAL fitness trainer Ben Skinner is on a mission – to get Bolton News journalist Craig Archer fit.

Ben, who specialises in training sessions at your home, is putting Craig through a special six week fitness guarantee course.

THE great outdoors was the setting for my next mega workout.

And trainer Ben was keen for me to show off my football skills as well as my new-found fitness.

We met up in Heaton Park in the blazing sunshine and Ben, curiously carrying a football, explained the session would be cardio based.

He placed several markers down on the grass and had me sprinting to each one when he shouted out a specific number. He then threw the ball to me and I had to head it volley it back it him. (Proper Paul Scholes stuff this.)

I was also tasked with jumping in and out of a ladder-type piece of equipment and running in and out of cones.

The workout was fantastic and, as always with Ben, varied. As tough as it was, I thoroughly enjoyed it and started feeling the benefits pretty much straight away. I could never out myself though an exercise like this on my own, I’d give up too soon.

Anyway, we’re three weeks into the course now and i’ve lost 6lbs and an inch off my waste so I’m feeling confident. I might be able to peel off my United shirt on the beech after all.

Previously, Ben has been putting me through my paces at work with a number of floor exercises and boxing. He always arrives with a box of tricks for the exercises so each session is different.

We’re passed the halfway point and I’m easily on my way to reaching my goal. (who would have thought.)

Ben’s sent me my food diary now and given some really helpful tips on what I should be eating.(Best not mention the latest chicken vindaloo after the game!)

Cheers Ben, whatever you’re doing is working and I’m looking forward to the next one.

Ben covers Bury, plus the surrounding areas of Heywood, Rochdale, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich. He also covers the east side of Bolton, including Little Lever and Farnworth. If you are interested in contacting Ben for a fitness session, you can reach him at athomefitness.co.uk/personal-trainers/personal-trainer-bury/ or his Facebook page www.facebook.com/personaltrainerbury/.