Graham Parrington, a 74-year-old fitness instructor working at Holme Pierrepont Country Park’s gym has made the final at the upcoming National Fitness Awards in the category, Outstanding Achievement.
The National Fitness Awards, which take place at Leicester’s Athena venue on 26 November were first staged in 2010 and recognise achievement and excellence in the health and fitness industry, with prizes awarded in over 20 categories.
Every year, there are hundreds of nominated individuals, but the judges have chosen just seven finalists in the Outstanding Achievement category, with Graham up against nominees from all over England, plus finalists from Scotland and Wales.
The team at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre, nominated Graham for his amazing fitness journey, starting when he was 68, at that point becoming the oldest ever Level 2 Fitness Instructor in the country.
Since then, he’s dedicated himself to helping other people see the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle and on the way, due to his amazing core strength, become a bit of legend in the calisthenics community.
Earlier this month, following an invite to attend, Graham was part of a team demonstrating calisthenics in front of huge crowds at the Arnold Sports Festival, held at Birmingham’s NEC.
To cheers from all round the arena, Graham showed his superhuman strength by hanging from a frame in a perfect L-shape, before extending his legs into what is known as a Front Lever among calisthenics practitioners.
Jack Garner, Contract Manager for Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre, said:
“Congratulations to Graham on making the final at this prestigious event. He’s certainly a legend in our eyes, someone who’s made an outstanding contribution to our gym and the customers who use this hidden gem of a facility. All the best for the 26th, Graham!”
Graham added:
“It’s a huge honour for me to make the final at this important awards event, so I was delighted when I received the news. I’d like to wish the best of luck to my fellow finalists.
“I came to fitness late, but since qualifying back in 2014, I’ve never looked back. I love helping people and hopefully inspiring a few to think that age is just a number.”
A National Fitness Awards spokesperson said:
“Everyone who’s been shortlisted should be really proud of their achievements – it’s been a really tough time for the industry, and it has taken a huge amount of hard work and innovation for it to bounce back – it’s a massive achievement to make the shortlist as the calibre of entries has been amazing.”
Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre is managed by Serco Leisure on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council.
