A PERSONAL trainer said she was “gobsmacked” to win an award for her fitness work in the community.
The Argus' Health and Wellbeing Awards recognise and celebrate the wide range of activities that empower communities and individuals, as well as help to promote and celebrate businesses and people who provide services to improve health.
Charlie Lambert was crowned the best personal trainer after working in the industry for ten years in Brighton and Hove.
Charlie, 36, from Hangleton said had had no idea that her friends nominated her for the title.
She said: “I got a letter through which said I’d been nominated, and that’s when my friends showed me the WhatsApp group of how they all nominated me and put me forward.
“I’m absolutely gobsmacked to have won it.”
She explained that she first entered the fitness industry as a receptionist 12 years ago before gaining qualifications to become a personal trainer.
Charlie said: “I’d lost a lot of weight with a personal trainer many years ago and ran a marathon. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to do the same thing for others.
“I qualified and I started working with a lot of mums to help them lose weight - watching the goals and seeing the changes is an amazing journey.
“I couldn’t be prouder when I see them transform themselves, and they feel confident and happy.”
Charlie also expressed her thanks “from the bottom of my heart” to those who nominated her for the award.
Her classes, based in Hove Park, online and at Hove Fitness and Squash gym in Orchard Road, aim to leave people with “a smile on their face and be one step closer to achieving their goals after every workout”.
The sessions are designed to be “challenging, yet fun”, with programmes tailored depending on the goals of her clients.
In the awards' other categories, Lucy Eagan took the title of best class instructor for her work teaching group exercise classes over 15 years at Hove Fitness and Squash, with TheBox - Brighton's first boxing-inspired fitness studio, in Castle Street winning the award for best gym.
Lucy, 50, from Hove, started as a spin instructor and began teaching Zuma fitness classes when they first started, and now runs her own gym.
She said she was "honoured" to be nominated and recognised for her work.
TheBox promises to "leave no one behind", offering an "unpretentious and results-orientated community" invested in the goals and success of their clients.
The gym offers strength training, high energy boxing combos, and yoga.
Lucy Pinto, owner and founder of TheBox, said: "I'm so grateful to share this passion with a like-minded, crazy, driven, passionate team.
"I thank all of them for their continued effort and support and, to our members, my heart is full."
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