A new recruitment consultancy aimed at providing fitness instructors to the leisure industry launches this week from the YMCA – the organisation made infamous by the Village People’s cheesy 1970s hit song.

YMCA Fitness Recruitment will focus on placing graduates from its training programme - run by YMCA Fitness Industry Training (YMCAfit) – into jobs ranging from personal training to management.

The company will be targeting national fitness chains such as David Lloyd and Cannons, as well as independent health clubs and local authorities.

Operating from offices in central London, YMCA Fitness Recruitment will have a team of consultants working under director Samantha Cullum.

“Qualified and multi-disciplined staff are hot property,” said Cullum, claiming that YMCAfit gets regular calls from employers looking for trained, reliable employees.

“This is a great way for us to support our students, and it will also provide a service to employers, taking the strain out of recruiting.”