Former teacher’s new enterprise to offer a healthy way of living

Shipley & Saltaire Wellness Centre, in Dockfield Road, Shipley, has been set up by David Procter to combine exercise and weight management activities with nutritional advice.

The centre, which has opened in the former Direct Mail premises, is a base for CobraFit, a new Swedish fitness programme being rolled out in the UK.

Carol and Chris Hill of existing centre, Skipton Wellness Centre, were recently granted the licence to run the programme. They later granted accreditation to Shipley & Saltaire Wellness Centre to do the same.

Shipley & Saltaire Wellness Centre is among just three CobraFit bases in the country. CobraFit will eventually roll out to 250 UK centres and then into Australia. The other two are at Skipton and Bingley.

Mr Procter, who taught for 34 years at Carlton Junior and Infant School, in Dewsbury, is also trained in sports nutrition, having worked at Whitcliffe Mount sports centre in Cleckheaton for 20 years.

He is supported in the venture by his wife, Nicola, who is taking time out from a career in banking.

The couple got involved with Skipton Wellness Centre after a fundraising trek in the Grand Canyon for Bradford Marie Curie Centre. Mr Procter said: “We saw our photos and realised how much weight we’d gained, then we were introduced to Skipton Wellness Centre by Katie Birkett who, at the time, was a Marie Curie fundraising officer and also a wellness coach.”

The launch of Shipley & Saltaire Wellness Centre means there are new opportunities for independent ‘wellness’ coaches to help run classes.

Mr Procter said coaches might already work in the fitness industry – or be fitness qualified – or may be people who are interested in starting a career in the sector, as training is provided. The programme might appeal to students who have recently qualified.

The next accreditation day for coaches is at the centre on November 29 from 10am until 5.30pm.