Mental Health Awareness Week: movement

Horsham-based female personal trainer, Becky, overcame a childhood dislike of fitness in pursuit of her own health. Having experienced mental health issues herself, the topic of Mental Health Awareness Week is close to her heart, as is 2024’s theme of movement. Here, she shares her take on the link between the two… Having initially been …

Gender exercise gap report commissioned by ASICS: the results

Last week, results of a global study on the gender exercise gap were published. As a female personal trainer, these findings really interested me, so I wanted to share some of what’s been revealed, and how I plan on helping those in my community going forward… The gender exercise gap: what’s going on?The fact that …

January is over – here’s how to keep your fitness routine going

With the first flush of New Year enthusiasm now burned out, bank accounts restored post-festive period, and daylight hours increasing, the gym floors are emptying out again. But you’ve done the hard part with getting started. So how can you maintain a fitness routine year-round and avoid that classic peak and trough cycle? Horsham-based personal …

Is your fitness watch actually helping you?

I’ve had an Apple Watch for a little over two years. It’s my first smartwatch, and I’d never used a wrist-worn fitness tracker previously either. When I’d tracked my training, I’d either manually input it into an app, or used good old fashioned pen and paper. I was worried about developing an overreliance, or allowing …

Why do people film at the gym?

As smartphones have hit critical mass, video-based social media apps have soared in popularity, and everyone seems to have become a side-hustling blogger, gyms have become filming locations for many users. Is it all narcissism and no true purpose? Let’s discuss why people film at the gym, and what you can do if it makes …

Do Personal Trainers exercise whilst on holiday?

When I jetted off on holiday in October, I got chatting to a stranger sat next to me on my flight. Upon learning what I do for a living, she innocently asked, “Oh, so will you be training whilst you’re on holiday?”. I responded with a laugh, a firm “no”, and the further thoughts below. …

Winter fitness: motivation to train when it’s dark

Here in the UK, autumn seems to have hit a new gear. Whilst the clocks changed last weekend, the sensitive (and early-rising) among us have noticed a significant change in daylight hours. It’s evident in the evenings too, with us now officially passing the point of post-6pm sunsets (the next one isn’t until March!). This …

Fitness and anxiety

Anxiety regarding fitness is a topic that comes up often, and this week I was asked to speak about it via Instagram Live. I wanted to continue the conversation here, and give you a reference point to come back to, so read on to find out more. With thanks to Rebecca (aka @thislifeofcare) for asking …

Getting better: how I recover from injuries

Both prior to and during my time as a fitness professional, my body has sustained a couple of injuries – welcome to life! I’ve got one in particular which likes to remind me that the body part is never going to be as it was pre-injury, and I’ve learned over time that it’s a case …

What going off-road driving reminded me about gyms

No, I haven’t gone completely mad, there is a genuine link between my recent experience with off-road driving and what it’s like to go to the gym. But I do probably also owe you a bit of context… Where we’re going…I was invited to spend a day off-road driving, and initially I gave the idea …