AN ex-SAS personal trainer and TV personality is calling on parents across East Lancashire to become great role models for their children.

Rob Edmonds, 39, is best known for his role as a no-nonsense personal trainer on the popular Biggest Loser weight loss series which sees obese people slash their body weight percentage.

And now, the fitness fanatic, who works with celebrities, athletes, individuals and groups looking to get into the best shape of their life, is urging people to get fit for their kids.

The 39-year-old said when he gets home to Read, he doesn’t put his feet up.

Instead he said he enjoys training sessions with his daughter Natalia who, at the age of just four, can already swim, do 18 push-ups at a time and enjoys squat challenges.

He said: “Children naturally love to be active and I think parents should encourage this.

“I make sure Natalia is into training and I get her doing push-ups and squats.

“I think it’s important that children enjoy exercise and learn to be active from an early age. Children love running, and it’s often only the adults who stop them from doing so.

“I also think it’s important for her to see me train as much as I can to set a positive role model for her – and she often wants to join in.

“Children love copying their parents. Rather than helping to fill the dishwasher I would rather her copy me doing my training.”

Rob, who is married to Sandra, also has three stepchildren, Brogan, Jacob and Ryan.

Rob has always had a keen interest in fitness.

After several years training recruits in the SAS he decided to set up his own personal fitness business and within a few months the producers of the Biggest Loser television show got in touch.

Since then, he has trained Davina McCall, Olympic gold skeleton medallist Amy Williams, and represented England in a Celebrity Sport Relief challenge alongside Josh Livesey, Phil Vickery, Chris Boardman and Phil Spencer.

And now Rob has taken his love of pushing his mental and physical strength to the limit by launching Urban Attack – the UK’s biggest indoor obstacle race, which will be held on November 29 at Sportcity in Manchester. A number of live artists, athletes and celebrities are expected to attend.

Rob, who is one of the biggest names in his field, also travels overseas to conventions to lecture other personal trainers.

To register for Urban Attack, visit www.urbanattack.co.uk