Our Story

Our outstanding record of success is evidenced by the fact that our Director of Training, Christine North-Minchella, has been recognised as a leading innovator in the industry.  She has been actively involved in fitness and exercise since her teens and made her passion into her career. This started with the YMCA over 30 years ago when she joined them as a trainee tutor.

She then embarked on gaining the appropriate qualifications culminating in a BSc in Exercise and Health Studies at Leeds Metropolitan University. In 2002 she received the Lesley Mowbray Award from YMCA Fitness Industry Training and in 2005 was awarded The Exceptional Achievement Award for Contribution to the Development of Health & Fitness Industry, awarded by Skills Active and REPs.

She was further awarded Centre of Excellence Status and continues to teach and run courses to pass on her passion and knowledge as well as heading up the business.

We pride ourselves on nurturing and supporting students throughout their educational journey with us to ensure they have the best learning experience and attain their full potential. We strongly support face to face learning as we believe that our students gain essential practical teaching skills

whilst training. In a world of online learning, we feel that our traditional face to face approach gives our students the edge to become successful in their chosen career.

Christine is passionate about high quality training and works with a team of tutors and assessors who run their own businesses and are experts in their field.

We are confident that all our students will proudly reach their full potential with our support before, during and after the training programme. Our Testimonials are a testament to our high standard of delivery. Click here to read our testimonials.

Meet The Team

Our Tutors

Our team of tutors includes educationalists, sports scientists, physiotherapists and midwives who are also proactive in the fitness, health and Pilates industry. Christine and her team believe we offer exceptionally high-quality training in specialist areas of Aqua-natal, Modern Pilates, pregnancy, older adult, spinal conditions, hip & knee and shoulder conditions.  We also offer in-house training in the UK and abroad.

All our tutors, assessors and physiotherapists are proactive in their field of delivery. They all run their own successful businesses which enables them to pass their valuable skills and knowledge onto our students. If you wish to change direction and begin a new career, we can inspire you to achieve your ambitions. You couldn’t be in better, more qualified hands.

Christine North – Minchella – BSc Cert Ed. YMCA PTA, MP/CYQ

Matwork Pilates

My career in fitness started with my love of sport and dance and led to undertaking a degree in Physical Activity Exercise and Health. I worked for the YMCA Training & Development for over 15 years as a Senior Development Officer, tutor and assessor and also worked for the RSA (now OCR) as an External Verifier.

In my ‘early’ teaching years I presented for Fitness Professionals, Exercise England and Leisure Plan Holidays.  My passion for the fitness industry and education led me to set up Professional Fitness and Education with the sole aim of providing quality training courses in the North of England.

Although I primarily run the business these days I still believe in being proactive and lecture on some of the specialist personal trainer modules as well as practically teaching and undertaking personal training.  In 2006 I was awarded the exceptional Achievement Award for my contribution to the health and fitness industry – a very proud moment.  I am also a Pure Energy Select Presenter and write for magazines such as Fitness Professionals.

I have  a great team of tutors and administration staff that have helped me to establish the name of Professional Fitness & Education as one the leading providers of fitness courses.

SANDRA BELL – DIP Leisure & Recreation, NVQ/TDLB Assessor (D32/33), C&G7307, YMCA, MP/CYQ

Matwork Pilates

Sandra came into the fitness industry at the age of 30, teaching aerobic and aqua classes.  She soon developed a keen interest in all other aspects of health and fitness, which encouraged her to advance her qualifications quickly, eventually becoming an assessor in various disciplines.  Her passion now lies with Pilates, where she teaches groups and personal training to clients who require rehabilitation after injury or medical procedures.

SANDIE KEANE – NVQ/TDLB Assessor, Stott Pilates Cert, MP/CYQ

Matwork Pilates

Sandie has a background in Classical Dance and her career in Pilates began in 1999 when she qualified at the Original STOTT PILATES center in Toronto, Canada and has tutored for Modern Pilates on the level 3 NVQ mat Pilates qualification since it began in 2002.  In March 2017 Sandie returned to her Classical Training when she enrolled onto Kirk James Smith’s Comprehensive Classical Pilates Training at the Classical Pilates Centre for her own personal development and learning.  Her interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine led to qualifying in Oriental Medicine back in 2007 and this in turn led to the development of her own unique program ‘Seasonal Pilates’.  She has written two books; ‘Pilates for core strength’ and ‘Pilates with Chi Principles’.