THEY were desk-dwelling Evening Mail workers in need of a serious fitness boost. But did gym boss and personal trainer Henry Armer manage to knock them in to shape? (sponsored).

Here Evening Mail editor James Higgins and motors sales representative Ryan Parkinson deliver their verdict at the end of a six-week spell.

James' Diary

IT hadn't been the best of weeks. i had racked up more food sins than I cared to think about about being left to fend for myself while Mrs H and the children visited family during the Easter break.

My one attempt to be super-healthy ended in catastrophe, when I accidentally put frozen sweetcorn into my breakfast fruit smoothie (thinking it was mango).

And so by the time the end of the week rolled around, I was less than in the mood for our final gym session.

I had a niggling back pain between my shoulders, a bank holiday stretch in the office looming, and an already mounting list of things to do during the precious few days off which approached.

Thank goodness for Henry's upbeat welcome and 'we're gonna do this' attitude.

After a few targeted stretches to deal with the back pain (which worked) we threw ourselves into the final session of our six week programme with purpose.

I didn't agree to take part because I had asses of weight to lose, or a serious health issue to address.

My motivation was more to reignite my passion for exercising while building strength and toning up.

Reflecting on session one back in February, it was clear I had made significant progress. Challenges which would have fazed me back then I smashed. And I pushed myself harder than ever before to achieve greater things.

There was a difference, more in my desire to push harder - and actually get up in the morning to attend sessions.

Mission accomplished - well done Henry!

You can find out more about Henry's gym and personal training sessions here

Ryan's diary

Well the six weeks of personal training with Henry and the team at HAFIT in Ulverston is done, 14 sessions, 13 1/2 hours. I am impressed with the results that were able to be obtained in that relatively short period of time.

I finished with a repeat of the fitness test I did on the first session, and as it happens, “faster, stronger, harder” are all true!

As it happens not just for me, we were introduced to one of Henry’s other clients with an inspirational story, about how he with the help of HAFIT has turned his life around (but I am sure that story may well appear somewhere soon).

So on Saturday lunch time with a rather “worse for wear” Henry, after celebrating his birthday the night before, the test commenced.

Row Row Row, Plank Plank Plank, Push up Push up Push up, Skip Skip Skip.

All of which saw a remarkable shift in my performance.

The biggest thing for me though, as well as the slightly “less wobble”, is the change in the way I feel - not necessarily fitter, more the mental attitude and mindset towards getting the new me! Or at least, more of the old me that was hidden!

So thanks Henry and team. See you all at a boot camp very soon.

You can find out more about Henry's gym and personal training sessions here