Scottish entrepreneur levels up online fitness brand with app launch

A Scottish personal trainer who created her own online fitness community during lockdown is preparing to take her business to the next level with the official launch of a new app.

27-year-old Robyn Drummond, who started the business ‘accidentally’ after pivoting her in-person sessions to an online alternative at the start of the pandemic, has built up a loyal following thanks to her unique approach to fitness and exercise.

The award-winning entrepreneur launched Robyn Drummond Fitness after growing frustrated with existing approaches to personal training, focussing instead on encouraging her customers to ditch fad diets in favour of healthy eating habits and empowering people of all shapes and sizes to give exercise a go.

Robyn worked as a personal trainer for over five years prior to lockdown and decided to offer on demand, virtual workouts when local gyms had to shut their doors. Within eight months, her online community had grown to over 1,000 members – leading her to take the plunge and quit her administrative job to pursue the business fulltime.

Her gamble quickly paid off, with Robyn being crowned Young Businesswoman of the Year by the Women’s Business Club, along with taking home the title of Newcomer of the Year at the Scottish Health and Fitness Awards.

Robyn has been a member of Royal Bank’s Accelerator Hub for the past year, working fulltime from its Edinburgh coworking space, allowing her to avoid the additional cost of renting office space while benefiting from the one-to-one mentoring on offer.

The new app launched earlier this month and will enable Robyn’s close-knit virtual community to access a range of bespoke healthy meal plans, tailored fitness programmes and a means of connecting with likeminded users.

Commenting on the milestone, Robyn said: “When I look back at what I’ve achieved in the past three years, I honestly need to pinch myself. I started Robyn Drummond Fitness at just 24 so to now be at the stage where I’m launching my own app and have users from all around the world is unbelievable.

“I always say to people that I just sort of fell into being an entrepreneur. It all happened so quickly, and I didn’t have a business background or people in my family that I could go to for advice on things like accounting or securing funding.

“The support I’ve received as part of the Accelerator has really been invaluable. From mentoring, to sharing connections and facilitating introductions with the right people, being a part of the Hub has helped me grow and develop as an entrepreneur as my business continues to expand.

“Before I joined, I was considering renting an office space so having full access to the coworking space in the Edinburgh hub has been a game changer and means I can avoid another costly outgoing as I look to take Robyn Drummond Fitness to the next level.”

Tara Cusack, Local Enterprise Manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “This app launch marks a huge milestone in Robyn Drummond Fitness and we’re all excited to be a part of this new chapter.

“Robyn’s balanced approach to fitness brings something new to the space, and her constantly growing user community is testament to the dedication and expertise she brings to every area of her business.

“Royal Bank of Scotland is committed to helping scaling entrepreneurs to thrive and take their business to the next level. Members of our Edinburgh Accelerator Hub have access to one-to-one coaching with experienced Acceleration Managers as well as full use of our co-working spaces and the chance to book onto our programme of events throughout the year.”