WHAT started out as a fitness camp with just four members has grown into a full-scale business for local man Steve Cooper.

On Saturday Steve will be launching his own fitness studio.

The week following the studio’s launch, Steve has pledged to give half of all revenue to two charities – Willowbrook Hospice and Nugent Care.

“I partnered up with a storage team, which got me unit 17 on Lea Green Business Park,” said Steve, who lives in Rainhill.

“We’ve now got the facilities for mixed martial arts and personal training.

“Our studio has room for five to eight people at a time and we have all the essential facilities – a waiting room, changing room, toilets and a kitchen.”

Steve started his business last year with a fit camp in Rainhill.

Four customers became 300 in a period of only six months, and he funded the studio in Lea Green out of his own pocket.

Steve, 21, said: “We used the revenue from last year’s fit camp. I paid it all off my own back.

“I did a deal with the storage team.

“Instead of building us a facility and charging us they built one according to what we could afford and what we needed.

“They were brilliant.”

There has already been interest in the facility.

Monday was a ‘soft launch’ day, where people eager to put it to good use booked in full-paying sessions.

Steve is studying at St Helens College, where last year he did a foundation degree in exercise, health and fitness.

Those interested in a membership at his studio can visit sthelensfitness studio.co.uk or phone Steve on 07590 679 031.