A PERSONAL trainer from Kelty has been named Fife’s Best Fitness Business for this year despite only starting up at the beginning of the pandemic.

Robyn Drummond received the accolade last week at an event at Dunfermline’s Keavil House Hotel where she fought off stiff competition.

She started the business just as the pandemic hit as a way to create something positive for those who were struggling and has seen her membership grow from just 20 people to more than 1,000 in a remarkable year.

Reflecting on being put up for the award, Robyn said: “It was very exciting and has been such a crazy year.

“I was nominated at the end of 2020 by a member of the public, although I don’t know who, and was notified through a letter in the post.

“I started the business at the start of the pandemic after working for Fife Leisure as a fitness instructor because I wanted to create something positive for people.”

Following a tough process which involved a public vote, business checks and a mystery shopper, Robyn attended the event last Wednesday not expecting to win given the tough competition she was up against.

However, despite her modesty, Robyn’s name was read aloud to a rapturous reception as she was crowned.

She said: “I had never been to an awards ceremony before, never mind won anything, so I was quite anxious and nervous. I was up against actual gyms and some really good home businesses so I didn’t expect to win at all.

“I was honestly shaking when it got read out, it’s all a bit of a blur. I was terrified because I didn’t know what I was going to say when I went up. But I was absolutely buzzing.”

It is a deserved accolade for Robyn, who moved to Kelty from Glasgow with her family almost 10 years ago, after growing her client base at a remarkable rate, which she says was done purely from word of mouth.

According to Robyn, she couldn’t have done it without a push in the right direction from best friend, and admin assistant, Lindsay, who was in the audience as the award was presented.

Together, the pair are looking at new ways to improve their service.

Robyn continued: “We are just going to continue to keep growing. I’ve moved the business away from a Facebook group and onto a membership platform and we want to keep adding value to that platform.

“At just £10 per month, it is the cheapest service out there and is very affordable.”