Fuelled by Form: Tyrone Brennand
Regularly listed among London’s top trainers, Tyrone Brennand (@bethefittest) has become a leading expert in the UK fitness scene since he first cropped up on our radar in 2014.
But before discovering the transformative power of movement, the 39-year-old wellness influencer was on a very different path, falling in with the wrong crowd as a teenager.
Fitness became his ticket to an alternative life, and with support from The Prince’s Trust, he turned his passion into action, launching his personal training business, Be The Fittest, which he still runs today.
Alongside 1-1 training with a host of celebrity clients, he’s also written a bestselling book, launched a youth mentorship scheme and racked up a cool 80K Instagram followers in the process.
In the latest instalment of our content series, we hear how the London-based instructor blends yoga with strength work, his favourite piece of advice and why he’s giving back to the next generation of fitness entrepreneurs.
How did you first get into fitness, and what drew you to it?
When I was really young, I’d walk past newsagents and get completely fascinated by people’s bodies. While other kids were picking up children’s magazines, I was flipping through ones with people showing insane physiques on the covers, trying to figure out how they trained.
Then, when I was about 15, I finally got into a proper gym and I just loved it. I even built a little home gym at home using weights from the Argos catalogue. I’ve always loved moving around; I was more of a physical kid and not so academic.
You started your business using a Prince’s Trust grant. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes! I went through the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Program, which helps young people who’ve been through trials and tribulations start their own businesses. I pitched my idea, they loved it, and I successfully got funding. I became a Young Ambassador and later joined the Rise Campaign board, giving back by mentoring young entrepreneurs and supporting fundraising efforts.
And you’ve also started your own mentorship program?
Yes, the Be The Fittest Mentorship Program. It’s a free, year-long program for young people wanting to break into the fitness and wellness industry. We cover everything – marketing, building a team, whether you want to work in a gym or to be a mobile trainer, taxes, self-confidence… all the stuff I wish I had when I started out.
I never had guidance when I was younger – I didn’t know a single person who owned a business, or a millionaire, or anyone doing what you see on TV. And, back then, social media wasn’t really a thing, so the only role models you had were athletes or celebrities. Programs like this give people hope and show them that it’s possible if you trust yourself and put the work in.
How does your training philosophy differ from other PTs in the industry?
When I started my business, it was all about inspiring people to be fitter, stronger and healthier, but I noticed most people didn’t want elite athlete-level training. They wanted to feel better. So, in 2015, I did yoga teacher training and studied breathwork and meditation, bringing wellness into fitness.
Now fitness is the base of my training, with strength and cardio, but to sustain a healthy lifestyle, you need mindfulness, consciousness and mental clarity. Even if you’re doing heavy weight sessions, you need stretching, yoga and recovery. A lot of my clients have high-stress jobs, so the mental aspect is just as important as the physical.
What does a typical day of fitness look like for you?
As a morning ritual, I like to do sun salutations for around five minutes, with some breathing exercises. Then I work, do school drop-offs for my children, work a bit more, and around mid-morning or midday I’ll train strength and cardio. If I have time, I might hit a yoga class too. In the evening, I finish with five to ten minutes of meditation before bed.
Are there any specific recovery techniques you swear by
Foam rollers, trigger point balls and Theraguns are a life-saver. Sometimes I’ll book a full-body massage if I have time, and I also love hot baths, ice baths and cold showers after training, as they really help my muscles and immune system. Good nutrition and supplements are important too. I take probiotics, and if I’m low on energy, ginkgo and ginseng.
How do you approach nutrition?
I mostly fast in the morning, do my sun salutations, work, and then my first meal is midday or early afternoon. Meals are balanced, with carbs, proteins and lots of colourful veggies.
In the evening, I’ll eat a lower carb, protein-focused meal, still with plenty of greenery. I base what I eat on how I feel, energy-wise, and I try to keep it sustainable. There’s no strict diet though; if my body craves something, it’s okay.
What’s the best piece of fitness advice you’ve ever received?
‘Don’t give up on training.’ It sounds simple, but it’s always stuck with me. Whatever happens, just keep going. Even if it’s a small effort, showing up is what builds consistency and results. That’s what I pass on to my clients too.
What’s your favourite yoga pose or stretch?
Lying spinal twist. I do it at the start or end of yoga, in the morning, or before bed. It’s amazing for the back, super relieving, and it’s easy to do anywhere.
If you could be any kitchen utensil, what would it be?
A Japanese knife. I recently got one, and it’s just a joy to use. The way it slices, the little wooden sheath, the swirly metal design – everything about it is satisfying. It makes cooking almost meditative.
