A fitness coach is on a mission to bring Puddletown its own community gym.

Dan Weiss, of Coach Dan's Fitness and Fightsports, has set up a Crowdfunder page in a bid to raise money to buy equipment and create a place which will offer yoga, martial arts, boxing, circuits, Pilates, group fitness and an open gym - as well as be somewhere for people to meet, build strong friendships and keep fit, healthy and happy.

When the pandemic hit and sports halls and gyms had to close, Dan took his classes online and virtually trained with people from all over the world.

But as he had previously been running outdoor circuits at the Puddletown Recreation Ground, Dan contacted the Puddletown Recreation Improvement and Development (PRIDE) charity for ideas on how they could work in partnership to bring Puddletown, and the surrounding areas, a new fitness venue.

The group has a room to rent in the cricket pavilion which will help Dan get the project off the ground.

Dan said: "I have always shown a commitment to providing low-cost sessions and even offering free training to low income students as I do not think that a low income should be a barrier to training, which means I do not have lots of disposable income to invest.

"As Puddletown is such a tight knit village with a strong community spirit, and a plethora of students had shown their support and willingness to help, I decided to start and online Crowdfunder to help get started.

"The generosity I have witnessed so far has been overwhelming and I am touched by the kindness and support that has been offered.

"Every penny donated will make a huge difference to the club and will go towards new training equipment that will have a huge impact on the community and the people who love to train."

To donate, visit the Crowdfunder page here.

It has been a dream of Dan's to run his own fitness studio since he stepped into his first dojo at seven years old.

"This was a dream that had stayed with me throughout my entire martial arts career," Dan added, "and having seen the progress and growth of my students over the past three years, I knew that the time was right to make this a reality."

After a bout of clinical depression had left Dan with the need to find a focus for his mind and an outlet for his energy, he started Dan's Fitness and Fightsports in 2019 with the goal of increasing opportunity, provision, esteem and access to sport and fitness for all.

Having started karate at a young age, Dan held a passion for training and wanted to couple the techniques he had learnt in cognitive behavioural therapy with the benefits of physical exercise to help others who may be struggling with their mental and physical health.

Dan said: "These two parts of our psyche are intrinsically linked; however, I don't think enough emphasis is placed on working your mind in the same way you would work your body.

"Developing a healthy mind takes conscious work, effort and dedication, and being able to champion this idea within my exercise sessions became my priority."

Dan began running circuit classes and one-to-one sessions alongside boxing and martial arts coaching within the community with a 'no egos and no expectations' policy.

Dan said: "Exercise classes can be an intimidating prospect and I knew I wanted the community and family spirit to be prominent within training. I think it is this ethos that has made our fitness family grow so quickly, stand out and stick together. When we train together, it isn't just another session, we turn up early and chat, we stay late and drink tea and coffee together, it really is a second family."

Dan has more than 20 years' experience in martial arts and moved to Dorset in 2009.

He became the North Dorset Karate Kumite Champion and the head squad coach for the North Dorset Karate squad. He also won the SOUL Kickboxing full contact annual tournament in 2018.

In 2020, on his 32nd birthday, Dan received his lifelong dream of winning a 50 man Kumite - 50 continuous rounds of full contact fighting against new opponents on each round - and is currently in training to attempt the 100 man Kumite this year to raise money for mental health charities.

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