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Newcastle entrepreneur Tony Holt launches fitness app

Newcastle-based entrepreneur and keen cyclist Tony Holt has launched a new fitness app to help motivate cyclists to train over the winter after securing funding from North-East venture capital company Northstar Ventures and pre-seed accelerator Ignite.

Holt designed Velo-Trainer to increase a cyclist’s motivation, fitness and productivity through better engagement while indoor training.

It is one of the few iPad apps on the market that focuses on a social connection, allowing cyclists in different locations to create events and train together for competition, fun, or organised training.

The app can also record and synchronise data to popular fitness logs such as Strava and Training Peaks.

Tony said: “I have tried a lot of training apps and virtual reality simulators, but the set-up processes are too long and fail to motivate you when the weather turns and you’d sooner be out with friends.

“Programmes like Ignite help local entrepreneurs strengthen their business proposition by offering guidance and training courses.

“With their support and additional investment from Northstar Ventures, I have been able to turn my passion for cycling into a successful business opportunity.”

There are a number of developments in the pipeline, including a rewards scheme that allows cyclists to earn discounts at online retailers, and a facility for users to create and share their own personal training programmes.

“Motivation in the cold winter months is hard to maintain” added Holt. “As well as encouraging friendly competition through amusing posts and live leader boards, we found that cyclists trained harder when using the training partner function, and missed fewer sessions when an event was planned.”

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