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Footballers' training vest is a hit

Freetrain, a Birmingham-based fitness company, has created an innovative alternative to phone holder armbands to give fitness enthusiasts the freedom to train smart and train free.

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Since 2015 when the business launched, they have experienced significant growth, increased their product range and have sold more than 80,000 units.

Since lockdown started with gyms closed and more and more people taking up exercise and running to stay fit, they have seen a 50 per cent increase in sales month on month and so far this year they have turned over £2.1 million.

The business was set up by former Aston Villa youth player Jack Dyer, aged 29, and former Walsall goalkeeper James Wren, 27 . The pair first met in 2011 when James was 19 and Jack was 21 whilst they were both playing for Burton Albion.

In the summer of 2015, they were getting ready to go back to pre-season, and were talking about the difficulties of running with your phone. They had the idea to make a hands-free option which was more accessible, solved the weight distribution issue of strapping a phone to your arm and that something that included a holder that flips down from your chest so you can easily access your phone.

Jack’s grandmother knitted the first prototype of the product, which is a cut out of a T-shirt that they still have today. It took over a year to fine tune with the business officially launching in September 2017 with “F1” aka Freetrain 1.

As well as selling products to runners and fitness enthusiasts across the world in 12 different countries, a host of sports stars and celebrities have been seen wearing the products. The big break though came when Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba posted a video of himself wearing the vest in April 2020.

James, who has also played for Stourbridge and Hednesford Town, learned of Pogba’s post on social media when his friend messaged to ask him how he had managed to get him wearing one of the vests! Pogba was recommended the product by current Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira.

James, who is a Manchester United fan himself, played youth football with Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison and was part of the Milk Cup squad in 2011, coincidentally around the same time Paul Pogba originally signed for the club.

Current Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has a Freetrain vest, David and Romeo Beckham have been spotted wearing them as well as Coronation Street Actor Colson Smith and radio presenter Jenni Falconer.

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