Quality, high standards, expertise and family feel are the words our students use to describe us. Founded in 2010 by fitness industry expert and medical doctor: Dr Dane Vishnubala. CORE Fitness Education is a group of doctors, physios, sports scientists, university lecturers and experienced fitness professionals with a passion for imparting their experience and knowledge.
We pride ourselves on delivering evidence (research) based high quality courses by our expert team of tutors and supporting our students on their journey, whether it be finding employment or setting up their own business.
We set our bar extremely high and in our biased opinion, our students are the best fitness professionals in the country!
Delivering world-class research based education by the right people, raising the standards of the fitness industry and making sure our students are employable is our key goal. To do this, Dane has handpicked this extremely experienced team that you see below. Our team members are trained by us and only teach for us! What makes our team unique is not just their experience and qualifications but rather that the majority of the team have known each other for many years, some even decades, making us less a team and more a family!
Professor Dr Dane Vishnubala MBBS MSc (Med Ed) FRCGP MSc (SEM) DipSEM (UK) FFSEM SFHEA PhD
Director
Dane has over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, working as an exercise professional in various gyms and as a freelancer across both the North and South of the UK. He has a background as a strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer before qualifying in Medicine from Hull York Medical School. After training as a GP in York, Dane completed further specialist training in Sport and Exercise Medicine, ultimately becoming a Consultant Physician in the field.
Dane is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for both England Basketball and the Rugby Football League (RFL). He also serves as the Lead Clinical Advisor for Physical Activity and Lifestyle at the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and is an Executive Member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM).
Dane is passionate about teaching and plays a key role in designing the majority of our courses. He also regularly teaches and supports our tutor team. In the academic field, Dane has held medical education roles within the NHS and authored the curriculum for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine at Leeds University, where he is the clinical lead. Additionally, Dane regularly delivers teaching on musculoskeletal medicine to GPs and other medical professionals.
Interesting Facts! Dane captained the University of York Men's Basketball 1st team when he was at university. Dane is a twin! He is 15 minutes younger.
Paul Turnbull
Director
Since starting in the health and fitness industry in 2006, Paul has become a highly experienced and respected figure. In this time, he has worked at numerous organisations including David Lloyd, Fitness First, Xercise4less, Anytime Fitness, and within the public sector across council and university gyms.
Paul's diverse roles have included gym manager, PT manager, Sports Therapist, Exercise Referral instructor and Personal Trainer. Alongside working for Core Fitness Education, Paul is still an active Exercise Referral instructor and Personal Trainer, running his own successful PT business.
Paul is our Managing Director at Core Fitness Education, where he also serves as one of our lead tutors and assessors for many of our fitness courses, such as the Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer and Functional courses.
Qualifications: Diploma in Personal Training, Kettlebell Instructor CertificateSuspension Instructor Certificate, , Studio Cycling Instructor, Exercise to Music Qualification, Diploma in Exercise Referral, Diabetes and Obesity, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate, Gait Analysis
Interesting Facts! Paul is born and bred in Hull. Paul and Dane met initially when Paul was working at Fitness First in Hull back in 2006.
Kate Rose
Operations Manager
Kate's background is in education. She achieved her Qualified Teacher Status in 2012 and taught at secondary schools within York and Selby. Kate retrained with CORE Fitness Education in 2016 and worked part time as a Personal Trainer and Zumba teacher and part time in adult education until 2019. She's now made the leap to working in the fitness industry full time; Kate now works for CORE Fitness Education combining her education expertise with her love of fitness.
Qualifications: BA Hons (Language and Linguistics), MSc (Forensic Speech Science), PGCE, QTS, Circuits Instructor Certificate, Zumba B1 Training, CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills , Certificate in Fitness Instructing, Diploma in Personal Training
Interesting Facts!
Kate is currently in training to run the London Marathon for the National Deaf Children's Society.
Joe Thorpe BSc
Tutor
Joe has collated 20 years' experience working in the fitness industry. During this time Joe has had numerous jobs such as Master Trainer at David Lloyd Leisure and Strength and Conditioning coach at the University of York.
Currently Joe works as a freelance Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning coach for Heworth ARLFC and for the City of York Athletics Club Juniors. Joe currently specialises in run and cycle specific S&C as well as long term athletic development for juniors.
Joe is one of our experienced tutors and assessors for our gym-based qualifications and one of our lead tutors for our Studio Cycling courses.
Qualifications: BSc Strength and Conditioning, Diploma in Personal Training, Kettlebell Instructor Certificate, Suspension Instructor Certificate, Studio Cycling Instructor, Exercise to Music Qualification, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate
Interesting Facts! Joe, Dane and Jo Battson used to work together at Nuffield Health.
Hannah King Bsc
Tutor
Hannah has been working in the fitness industry for over 5 years and holds a degree in sport science from Leeds university. She is currently completing her masters in strength and conditioning.
Having completed the year long customary CORE Fitness Education tutor training, Hannah teaches on a range of courses. With her blend of academic qualifications and vocational experience she meets the CORE Fitness Education ideals for a tutor. Hannah is also an old CORE Fitness Education graduate!
Qualifications: BSc Sports Science MSc Strength and Conditioning (pending), Diploma in Personal Training, Kettlebell Instructor Certificate, Suspension Instructor Certificate, Studio Cycling Instructor, Diploma in Exercise Referral, Gait Analysis, Diploma in Sports Massage Level 3, Sports Massage Therapy Level 4, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate
Interesting Facts! Hannah was runner up in the Miss York contest. She is an avid York City Football Club Supporter!
Emma Chapman BA (Hons), QTS
Senior Tutor
Emma is an experienced teacher with qualified teacher status through her studies at Leeds Beckett University for a degree in Physical Education, specialising in Sports Psychology. In addition to working for CORE Fitness Education, Emma is a Senior Leader responsible for staff training at a large independent school.
Emma has a longstanding interest and experience in personal training through her training and employment as an Officer in the Army Reserves. She also regularly teaches studio cycling.
When Emma is not teaching or away with the Army she can generally be found swimming or studying for her M.Ed.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), PGCE Coaching and Mentoring for Teacher Development, Far from Help Wilderness Medic Trained, Circuits Instructor Certificate, Diploma in Personal Training, Kettlebell Instructor Certificate, Suspension Instructor Certificate, Studio Cycling Instructor, Aqua Instructor, Diploma in Exercise Referral, Pre and Post Natal Exercise Instructor, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate, Gait Analysis
Interesting Facts! Emma was one of CORE Fitness Education's first graduates.
Jason Feavers
Tutor and Assessor
Jason has over 20 years experience in various roles within exercise referral and public health. He has worked as an exercise referral instructor, coordinator and as scheme manager responsible for a city wide exercise referral scheme. As well as working with clients with a range of medical conditions, he has worked in roles developing physical activity programmes and as a physical activity lead for a national mental health charity. Jason has a keen interest in behaviour change and motivational interviewing. As part of his Masters in 'Behaviour Change for Health and Wellbeing', Jason conducted a research project exploring the relationship between mindfulness and physical activity adherence. As well as tutoring for CORE Fitness Education in Exercise Referral, Jason still teaches exercise sessions for people living with cancer.
Qualifications: Level 4 Qualifications in Cancer and Exercise, Cardiac Rehab, Gym, Circuits, Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing , Lower Back Pain, Diabetes and Obesity, Diploma in Exercise Referral, Studio Cycling Instructor, Gait Analysis, Suspension and Kettlebell Instructor Certificate, Diploma in Personal Training
Interesting Facts! Jason enjoys running long distances in hilly places, stopping only for cake. Jason is a volunteer ambassador for 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer, an initiative to encourage people affected by cancer including those undergoing treatment, to take part in a local 5K Your Way parkrun event which are held on the last Saturday of each month.
Dr Michael Cooke MBBS BSc
Research and Development Team
Michael is an emergency medicine doctor working in Leeds with a degree in sports science, a rare combination! He is well published and has presented many of his research. His research interests lie in obesity and biomechanics.
Michael also has a specialist interest in sport and exercise medicine. Michael is one of the key members of our exercise referral and level 4 qualifications research and development team.
Michael has completed his fitness qualifications with CORE Fitness Education and we are proud to call him one of our graduates! When Michael is not working in the NHS or writing for CORE Fitness Education he can be found pursuing a variety of sports.
Qualifications: MBBS Medical Degree, BSc Sports Science, Advanced Life Support (ALS), Certificate in Fitness Instructing
Interesting Facts! Michael has recently become a dad to Anya! Michael is married to Victoria!
Adam Sawyers MSc
Research and Development Team
Adam is a core fitness education graduate and final year medical student. He completed his masters in clinical exercise science at Portmouth University and is a keen powerlifter.
On top of his medical studies, Adam runs his own personal training business focusing on strength.
When he is not writing for CORE Fitness Education, Adam can be found in a spit and saw dust gym, pumping iron!
Qualifications: MSc Clinical Exercise Science Portsmouth University, 5th Year Medical Student (Hull York Medical School), Diploma in Personal Training, Diploma in Exercise Referral
Interesting Facts! Adam has won gold for England at the powerlifting commonwealth championships. He was sponsored by CORE Fitness Education. Adam has been a medical student of Dane's.
Sam Bacon Bsc MSc CSCS
Research and Development Team
Sam is a sports scientist with a masters in strength and conditioning (S&C). He has worked with a number of professional teams and athletes and has a strong interest in the research side of S&C.
As well as writing courses and reviewing research for CORE, Sam works as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach up in Newcastle.
Qualifications: MSc Strength and Conditioning Northumbria University , BSc Sports Science Northumbria University, Diploma in Personal Training, Diploma in Sports Massage Level 3, Sports Massage Therapy Level 4, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate
Interesting Facts! Sam was a CORE Fitness Education graduate! Sam likes cats!
Chris Statham
Co Founder and Tutor
Chris has been working in the fitness industry for over 20 years. He also holds a diploma in Sports Psychology and has worked and managed numerous private gyms in Manchester and Yorkshire.
Chris currently runs a highly successful Sports performance and therapy business. When Chris is not writing or teaching for CORE fitness education he may be found swim coaching, teaching studio cycling or fuelling his sporting passions. Chris is also a British triathlon coach and a founding member of the York triathlon club. When he is not working, Chris can be found on one of his many bikes, breaking the sound barrier!
Qualifications: British Triathlon Coach, Diploma in Personal Training, Kettlebell Instructor Certificate, Suspension Instructor Certificate, Studio Cycling Instructor, Gait Analysis, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate, Diploma in Sports Massage Level 3, Sports Massage Therapy Level 4, Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate
Interesting Facts! Chris is originally from Manchester and cannot live without coffee. He can be seen around York in his very cool VW Camper Van.
Beverley Turnbull
Tutor and Assessor
Beverley started working in the health and fitness industry in 2008. Since then, her roles have included Gym Instructor, Exercise Class Instructor, Personal Trainer, Sports Massage Therapist and Physiotherapist.
Beverley's current roles are now Advanced Practice MSK Physiotherapist, Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Non-Medical Prescriber. Beverley has previously worked in the private sector, as well as in the NHS in Physiotherapy Mentor and Developmental Lead roles.
Beverley is one of our tutors for the Sports Therapy courses and is an assessor for many of our fitness courses.
Interesting Facts! Beverley volunteers for a hedgehog hospital, rescuing and fostering hedgehogs in need.
