No one trains harder and knows more about endurance than a Marine.

So who better to teach a boot camp to people who want to improve their fitness?

Martin James, 36, from Rochford, served in the Royal Marines for seven years, completing two tours in Afghanistan seeing active service on both tours.

Martin takes over the Wickford Essex Boot Camp on 1 August and they will run on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. There will be a launch session on Sunday 5 August at 9.30 until 10.30am.

Martin says: "Boot camp came into my life after the Marines, when I moved back to Essex and wanted a form of exercise to maintain my fitness but at the same time, incorporate the social and team aspect that boot camp brings."

He was medically discharged from the Marines in 2013 with a diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis of the hips. Doctors advised he would need hip replacement within 5-10years, however this deterioration has not occurred and does not hold him back in being able to complete marathons, long distance obstacle course races and continuing to train.

Echo: boot

The experience has given Martin a passion for understanding the body and mind and what it is capable of. So much so that he has recently trained and has qualified in sports massage therapy and treats patients in Southend.

With this in-depth knowledge base in anatomy and physiology, he wants to encourage everyone to get into exercise.

"I believe in changing peoples mindset into what exercise is. It should be seen as something fun and a way of life rather than a chore to be completed. There is a strong sense of community and support within boot camp members and everyone at every level is welcome."

Sessions run at Wickford Wemorial Park on Sundays at 9.30 until 10.30, Mondays and Wednesdays 7.30 until 8.30pm. The first seven days are free to try and sessions run throughout Essex. Www.essexbootcamp.co.uk