Personal Training
Strength.Balance.Well-being.
Classes
1:2:1 or small group training available either in person or online via zoom or facetime.
Programmes
I offer a variety of options depending on your health and fitness goals including safe and effective training during pregnancy, restorative and healing postnatal exercise, modern, functional programmes tailored specifically for you, and specialised training for the 3rd age woman.
Personal training
Consistency is key in order to achieve good results. I will work with you to discover what you enjoy and how you can realistically fit exercise around your lifestyle in a fun and effective way using a variety of equipment that includes kettlebells, boxing, resistance bands, dumbbells and rebounder to keep your sessions interesting and challenging.
Bespoke Training Made Fun
We can work with a range of equipment to keep things fun, varied and challenging in order to achieve your fitness goals.
To ensure you book into the right class for you, please click the button below each program to book a Free Consultation Call
Pre-Natal
The Benefits of Training During Pregnancy
As long as you are fit and healthy, and have no existing contraindications, then it is perfectly safe to continue training throughout your pregnancy. There are important physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and these must be taken into consideration when embarking on any exercise programme.
Some of the benefits of exercising during your pregnancy include:
• Increased energy levels and sense of wellbeing due to the release of endorphins
• Controlled weight gain
• Maintenance of muscle strength through functional training, which will help you to cope with the demands of labour and prepare you for motherhood
• Improved posture and less back pain
• Essential core work can help reduce postural changes which occur during pregnancy
• Strengthening your pelvic floor will mean you are less likely to suffer from urinary incontinence during the postnatal period
• Can help reduce constipation and varicose veins
• Quicker postnatal recovery
Post-Natal
There are huge benefits to training in the post-natal period, as long as the proper technique is adhered to, and most importantly, that you listen to your body. It is a time of huge change, and whilst being a wonderful time, can be exhausting and stressful coping with a new baby.
Some of the benefits include:
• Being able to cope with the physical demands of looking after your baby through functional strength training
• Improved mood and sense of wellbeing
• Controlled weight loss
• Enhanced self-confidence
• Reduced stress and better sleep patterns
• Improved cardiovascular fitness
• An understanding of intrinsic core synergy, which will improve the function of the pelvic floor and safely activate the core when performing any movement
It is crucial to healing your body from the inside out with excellent nutrition and keeping well hydrated, but rest is also essential.
TRX
TRX or suspension training provides fantastic strength and cardiovascular benefits for all levels and abilities. It improves cores strength due to greater abdominal activation and can be performed anywhere; at home, in a hotel room or in the park. You can incorporate mobility and flexibility into your training routines at the same time as building strength, and you will certainly feel the effects after just one session!
The TRX works on strength, balance, core stability and flexibility all at the same time, so it is a hugely time-effective way of training.
For a real calorie burner, why not try a TRX session followed by a boxing blast!
Power Plate
The Power Plate® is a fantastic piece of equipment. Originally developed in space medicine as a way of counteracting the severe bone and muscle mass loss that astronauts experience when in space, it works in three planes: horizontal, vertical, and sagittal (front to back).
Depending on the setting you are using, your muscles will contract between 25 and 50 times per second! This means that you are able to reach lactate threshold in less time and with the added bonus of less perceived exertion (i.e. it doesn’t feel as hard as it should!). This is ideal if you are lacking in either time and/or energy.
Each muscle responds to the vibrations, which contract reflexively. The Power Plate® engages up to 98% of your muscle fibres, including the fast, and super-fast fibres, and as a result, you see greater results in a shorter period of time.
The benefits of Power Plate® are extensive:
– Increases muscle strength (especially explosive strength) and improves proprioception (balance), by stimulating our natural balance mechanisms
– Increases flexibility and mobility
– Counteracts age-related muscle loss.
– Can maintain and increase bone density.
– Can reduce pain caused by conditions such as fibromyalgia
Personal Training
Modern, functional programmes based on the ‘motherhood movement patterns’ tailored specifically to you, either One to One, or Group Training home visits. Training is safe & effective during pregnancy or restorative and self-healing during postnatal.
3rd Age
The peri-menopause is a good time to start establishing positive health habits that will set you in good stead for the rest of your life. Bone loss and muscle mass start to decline from our mid-30s, but strength training and weight-bearing activities can have a huge impact on slowing this decline. Stress management is also crucial, as is looking after your brain health.
Strength
Strength training is critical to our health as we age. The more lean muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism and the easier it is to lose weight and keep it off. Strength training can reduce the risk of osteoporosis as it increases bone mineral density. It also decreases the risk for diabetes, stroke, heart disease and depression.
Post-Natal
There are huge benefits to training in the post-natal period, as long as the proper technique is adhered to, and most importantly, that you listen to your body. It is a time of huge change, and whilst being a wonderful time, can be exhausting and stressful coping with a new baby.
Testimonials
“I first met Alex when she herself was in the gym training at 7 months pregnant! I was so impressed as I had steered clear of the gym during my first pregnancy. When I found out that our second baby was on the way, I soon turned to Alex as I didn’t want to put on the 4 stone, that I had first time around. Alex was amazing! She gave me the confidence to exercise safely and was always willing to answer any questions no matter how trivial. After the birth and a c-section, again, Alex was there with her words of wisdom. She knew exactly what I should and shouldn’t be doing and in no time at all my overall strength and fitness improved so much. I was able to perform exercises I would never have attempted on my own and each workout was tailored to my own needs and increasing fitness levels. 3 years on and I still turn to Alex for my fitness and nutritional advice. She is so approachable, and her zest for life, health and happiness, infectious!
Thank you, Alex!”
How often should I train?
It depends on your health and fitness goals, but ideally, training should be done at least 3 times per week. As with most things, the more you put in the more you get out of it.
Where should I train?
You can train anywhere that suits you. Nearly all the equipment I use is very affordable and you can easily train at home or in your garden or a park.
Why can’t I just do cardio?
Whilst cardio is great for strengthening the heart and lungs, it doesn’t provide the stimulus your body needs to build stronger muscles and bones. You need resistance or bodyweight training for this!
How often should I have a personal training session?
It depends on you and what you are looking to achieve. It is an individual decision based on your fitness goals, availability and budget.
How does online training work?
We will arrange a zoom conversation (free of charge) before you decide to train, in order to have the opportunity to meet face to face to discuss your health and fitness goals and talk through any questions you may have. If you decide to go ahead, I will advise you on what equipment to buy so you can get set up at home. I offer 1 hour or 30-minute sessions and conduct them as I would in person. Sessions will be done via Facetime or zoom.
Lagom