FAQs

Here are some of the questions I’m most frequently asked by new clients. If you’d like to have a chat about your specific circumstances though please just get in touch. I’m always happy to have a chat.

• Is it worth just doing one session a week?

  I often get asked by people if doing one PT session a week will actually make any difference if that is all that their budget and schedule allows.

  Ideally it's great to be able to meet the NHS guidelines of completing at least two strength training sessions a week plus 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of both). However, we don't live ideal lives so it's important not to let the fear of not being able to do everything put you off doing anything!

  I often advise my clients to look at their lives holistically and think about the regular life stuff they undertake which they might not think of as 'exercise' but could be counting towards their overall activity levels. Gardening, cleaning, running round after children are all different ways you could be using your body.

  Even if you don't do any of that stuff and have a sedentary job, starting with a 60 minute PT session once a week can often be a gateway to other more regular exercise. A number of my clients have found that developing a regular exercise habit through PT has grown to encompass additional independent training at the gym or taking up other activities. It can be an awesome first step, especially if you are someone who has had a historically negative relationship with exercise.

  A lot of my clients are limited in what else they can do and only work with me once a week but they are still getting stronger and fitter and achieving their goals. It just might take longer than if they could train more frequently.

  So this is a very long way of saying - yes it is probably worth it!

• Do you offer online training or home visits?

  My preference is to work with clients in my gym where possible as then we can access my full range of equipment and you will be able to take 60 minutes away from normal life to completely focus on the session.

  Once I've been working with clients for a while I do sometimes offer online sessions eg when the weather makes travelling difficult but it's not a regular service I offer. If you are looking for an online coach I would be happy to give you some recommendations of other great PTs who offer this though.

  I will occasionally work with local clients in their own homes if my gym is not accessible to them. If you'd like to discuss this as an option please get in touch.

• I'm not in good health. Is there any point in me starting now?

  Yes, it's never too late to start becoming more active, and exercise can definitely help to improve your health.

  You just need to check with your Doctor first that they are happy it's safe for you to start exercising. It's probably a good idea to have a phone call before booking a consultation so I can check if I'd be a suitable PT for you or if you'd be better with someone with more specialist qualifications.

• I just want to look good for my wedding, I don't want someone who'll try to make me run marathons!

  I wouldn't attempt a marathon myself, never mind try and encourage someone else to do one if it wasn't something they were interested in! My job is to help you to achieve your personal goals, no one else's. In our consultation we can talk through what you want to achieve and then make a plan for how we can get you there.

  However, I should make it clear that I'm not a body transformation type coach so if you've got very specific aesthetic goals you might be better suited to someone who specialises in that, I'd be happy to recommend other options to you.

• I'm struggling with the menopause, I don't want to do anything that'll make me feel worse.

  A lot of my clients are in the same boat and have found that regular training has had a positive impact on their menopause symptoms. It isn't a panacea but strengthening your muscles will help to protect your joints and building muscle and bone mass will benefit your body now and in the future. Many clients have mentioned that training has improved their confidence in their body and also had benefits mentally. Whether it's finding exercises which calm the nervous system, getting the heart rate up and releasing endorphins or just feeling like a total badass when you hit a PB or lift a weight you never thought possible before. I'm also a qualified Boxercise instructor so we can get the gloves and pads out if you need to release some rage after a tough week!

  We can find exercises which will work for you, tailored to your body and your goals. Let's work together to find a plan that will help improve your energy and sleep as well as your mental and physical wellbeing.

• Gyms make me nervous! The equipment is complicated and I feel stupid.

  That's why you need me! I used to feel intimidated by gyms too so I know exactly how you feel.

  I can help you learn to use gym equipment in a safe and straightforward way and support you to build the confidence to work out on your own if that's what you're aiming for. I'll explain what we are trying to achieve with each exercise so you understand why we are doing it and you can ask me anything - there are no stupid questions at SKPT!

  I'll make sure that we go at your pace and use kit that you feel comfortable with. My gym has a definite 'home gym' vibe with plants, natural light, low key lighting and you can even choose the background music if you like.

• I'm a runner, is there any benefit to having a personal trainer when I'm exercising already?

  That's great that you are already doing regular exercise and (hopefully) feeling the benefits. Working with a personal trainer could help you to find a resistance routine (working with weights) which can support your running and prevent the likelihood of you getting injured. We could also look at different methods of improving your cardio fitness to improve your running performance if that would be of interest.

  Resistance training has a huge amount of benefits including increasing muscle mass and strengthening your bones and it's important to include this in your exercise routine as well as aerobic activity. The NHS recommends doing strengthening exercise twice a week. This is especially important for women as the hormonal changes during menopause can lead to a loss of muscle mass and bone density and numerous studies have shown that resistance training can mitigate this.

  If you're not convinced try reading this article by a top ultrarunner! https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/cross-training/a69673644/strength-and-conditioning-to-stay-injury-free-at-50/

• I've tried working with a PT in the past and it was a negative experience, why should I try again?

  I think working with a PT can be like any other relationship in your life, it needs to be someone you can click with (or at the very least don't find annoying!). If we're going to be seeing each other for at least an hour every week it's much easier if we genuinely enjoy each other's company.

  I offer a free face to face consultation where you can come and meet me and see the space we'll work out in together. We'll talk through your goals and how I could support you and I'll be honest about whether I think I can realistically help you to achieve your goals or if you might be better served by working with someone else. Hopefully this will help you decide if I'm the right PT for you. I also don't have a minimum session commitment so if you decide it's not working at any time you don't need to carry on working with me.

• I'm nervous about getting injured or making existing injuries worse.

  We'll go through a full consultation so I am aware of any existing or past injuries and I can tailor your programme and sessions to accommodate this. I'm happy to have a chat with your physio or any other specialists you are working with so that your training compliments the work you're doing with them. If I feel like your injuries are outside of my scope of practice I will signpost you to more specialised PTs who may be a better fit than you.

  Everything we do together is voluntary and I will never push you to do an exercise which you or your body is not comfortable with. My priority is that you are always working with proper form and in a safe way, that's the benefit of working one to one, my full attention is on you.

• Why should I pay to work with you instead of just going to a gym class?

  Gym classes can be great fun and help you to get fit, if you are attending them and enjoying yourself then keep going! However, if you feel like you need help with your exercise form, have an injury you are working around or have specific goals you want to achieve it can help to work one to one with a PT.

  A PT can work with you to tailor a programme to fit you individually, taking into account your fitness level, health, life circumstances etc. We can then work together through the programme, keeping you motivated and interested. Most importantly, it makes you accountable, you have someone to check in with about progress and celebrate the successes with - it's a journey we can go on together.