Startups
Harvey Platt, Founder, My Fitness Advisor.
Published: January 15, 2021 | Updated: 15th January 2021
New Year, new you – and a new way to help you achieve it.
Finding the perfect gym, personal trainer, yoga class or fitness event has just got easier thanks to Harvey Platt.
The 23-year-old entrepreneur has launched an online fitness review site – myfitnessadvisor.co.uk
Its mission is to create a more transparent and trustworthy fitness industry.
More than just a web directory, My Fitness Advisor has specific review criteria for each individual fitness service.
It’s an online hub where people can connect and give real feedback about their fitness experiences.
The aim is that others searching for a fitness service can find what they’re looking for and, ultimately, meet their fitness goals.
Initially, fitness services in Bournemouth and the surrounding area are featured with new areas being added on a regular basis.
The site so far has more than 115 listings and over 60 reviews after a successful launch.
Fitness providers offering online classes can be found using the site’s search filters.
Harvey said: “My Fitness Advisor was launched off the back of personal struggles and stresses of final university exams and coursework.
“To combat these stresses I got into the practice of meditation.
“I tried to find a meditation class, but couldn’t find the right one for me, due to lack of reviews and information.
“Searching became demotivating.
“The idea came from thinking other people must have this problem with finding fitness services right for them.
“I realised a platform that brought details of all the gyms, personal trainers and yoga classes together in one place and also, importantly, enabled people to leave independent reviews could be the answer.”
Once Harvey had created the platform he approached the Prince’s Trust about his idea and is now part of its Enterprise programme.
Harvey, who lives in Ringwood, said: “I was working in Val d’Isère when the coronavirus pandemic struck and returned to the UK just as the French borders closed.
“Lockdown gave me the opportunity to work on my business idea and I was able to spend all my time developing the platform.
“People can now search for a service or leave an honest review about their gym, trainer or other fitness professional.
“This means it will benefit both the service provider and those looking to find a fitness service that meets their needs.”
The site is designed to make finding fitness services as easy as possible, with all the relevant information in one place.
It includes prices, contract lengths, qualifications, social media links, class timetables and the type of facilities the fitness service may have.
Alongside this Harvey has designed the specific review criteria for each fitness service, based on what people really care about.
Gyms get rated by value for money, cleanliness, range of equipment, availability of equipment/class spaces and an overall rating.
Personal trainers get rated on friendliness, value for money, results, motivation, exercise safety as well as an overall rating.
Fitness providers can claim or create their free listing with the option to upgrade to a more detailed listing.
Harvey is an economics graduate, currently doing a MSc in Environmental Policy and Management at the University of Bristol.
He’s been into fitness and outdoor activities, such as football and surfing, since pre-school.
Harvey is currently training to be a surf mentor for The Wave Project in Dorset, helping young people deal with mental health issues through surfing
“I’ve always wanted to have my own business from a young age but a business which can help and bring value to people,” said Harvey.
“As well as giving people the bigger picture of what a fitness service provides, I’m trying to combat the bias of social media and the misinformation we all have at our fingertips.
“The fitness industry seems to be at the heart of misinformation, with people and organisations selling quick fixes claiming to solve all your fitness issues.
“However, with fitness, quick fixes aren’t possible.
“This has led to the mission of myfitnessadvisor.co.uk to help increase the trust and transparency of the fitness industry.”
My Fitness Advisor has been accepted onto the University of Bristol’s New Enterprise competition.
Twenty-one startups will go head-to-head, for a chance to win £35,000, and support through SETsquared Partnership.
The partnership is described as the No.1 global business incubator and enterprise partnership between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey.
