They were charged with developing a new fitness programme which they would then licence to fitness clubs around the UK. With three pitches set up for each team, they went their separate ways to begin planning.
It was a no brainer that Stephen Brady would led team Phoenix with his experience in the industry and ex heavy weight wrestling champion of the world Ricky Martin, took the helm for team Sterling.
Stephen and his team decided that retro was the way to go and decided to visit an eighties night club for some inspiration. You could practically see the drooling as the boys watched the ladies demonstrate some retro dance moves, but watching the lads practice those infamous dance moves from Thriller was more than a little uncomfortable, proving that some men will do anything to impress a woman.
Ricky decided to create a fitness routine which was a cross between mixed martial arts and dance. I ask you, what’s more unattractive than a cocky and over-confident Ricky Martin? How about a cocky, over-confident, sweaty Ricky Martin? There’s a reason that shirts aren’t worn in the boxing ring and Ricky proved why. Yuk.
The retro fitness programme was named Groove Train, a little cheesy but I can see the reasoning whilst Ricky named his martial arts and dance combination Beat Battle, a name that conjures up images of spotty teenage boys playing 80’s inspired computer games on a Commodore 64.
Then came the moment we all cringe, each team had to create a video of their routine to use when pitching to some of the UK’s biggest health club chains. When I hear that Apprentice candidates have to make any kind of video I can’t help but feel a little sick. I can’t remember a video or advert that looked anywhere near professional but to make it worse Stephen thought that adding Azhar In the smallest shorts ever produced would enhance the content of his. So you have a retro, multi-coloured dance floor, Azhar in tiny shorts and sweatbands and terrible, terrible acting…bring on the bucket.
I have to say that despite my dislike of Ricky’s cockiness, he was absolutely brilliant when it came to pitching. He was clear, concise and had an answer for every possible objection thrown at him unlike his opponent. Stephens pitches were more a winging it, make the answers up on the spot effort with equipment information changing with each pitch. We are still a little unsure whether the hula hoops, skipping ropes and space hoppers are included in the price or an added extra. I’m sure Stephen will figure it out one day.
The biggest surprise in the boardroom was that Ricky and his team lost the task with licence sales of £7,970 compared to £12,810 for the Groove Train team. Really? Virgin Active saw the routine as a good idea for the family market, an activity to be shared between mother and child. I’ll stick to trips to the park.
There were no major upsets in the boardroom this week, although Lord Sugar did question Rickys reasoning for bringing Duane and Laura back with him, especially as they had both done the jobs delegated to them and there were other members of the team that weren’t seen throughout the show. Eventually, the blame fell on Duanes shoulders and he was shown to the black cab waiting outside – sad really, I liked Duane.
Best part of this week has to be watching Karren Brady try to compete with Nick Hewer in the funny faces Olympics. Nick is the champion and always has been but judging by some of the spasms that appeared on Karrens face during the task, Nick may have a serious contender!
