An Olympic athlete who visited an after-work fitness club was so impressed by the routines she is now sponsored by the firm.

Team GB slalom canoeist Lizzie Neave began working out with Pegasus Miltary Fitness after a disappointing end to her Olympics, where she was knocked out of the kayak semi-finals with only the 12th fastest time.

The 25-year-old began taking part in the Chingford club’s sessions as she developed her overall fitness over summer, and has now incorporated the three weekly running and exercise classes into her training programme.

Miss Neave, who trains daily at the Lee Valley White Water Centre as well, said: “It’s great because it’s something quite different to what we do on the water.

“Kayaking is really demanding as you need to be strong, fast and flexible and I just found the club really helped with all those things.”

But Pegasus co-founder Barry Watkins, 45, who set the club up 18 months ago with former elite soldier and friend Simon Tulley after a group they joined closed down, said he had not even realised she was a professional athlete until they began chatting one day.

The blackbelt kickboxing instructor, of New Road, Chingford, added: “She didn’t say anything about it at first, but I noticed her lapping people who are pretty fit and I just thought ‘wow’.

“Now she’s a permanent fixture. She comes out to meals with us all and if it’s someone’s birthday she bakes them a cake.”

She now has the company’s logo on her canoe, which will be seen by millions in televised events including the European and World Athletics Championships this year.

Miss Neave has even brought fellow Olympians along for sessions with instructors Mr Watkins and Mr Tulley, 37.

They include Richard Hounslow, who won a silver medal in doubles canoeing at London 2012.

But Mr Watkins said it will be Miss Neave he will be watching when Rio 2016 comes around.

He said: “It’s an honour. With Lizzie and her friends coming here it adds authenticity to what we do. I could be watching her win gold in Rio and I feel proud that we’re able to give her a little bit of help training.”

For full details about the fitness club please visit www.pegasusmilitaryfitness.com.

 

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