Success Stories
1:1 Success Stories
I started with Billy 6 weeks ago for 3 months and I’m loving it!
Billy motivates and pushes me but is also thoughtful and sensitive to my feelings and abilities. I’m feeling so much better and getting stronger and fitter.
I wish I’d done this years ago but it’s never too late!
My only concern before I came to my first consultation with Billy was the cost involved; but having met Billy and talked through my goals and learnt about his approach, I recognised immediately that the investment would be worth it.
Over the past year my fitness levels have improved greatly through a planned step by step approach, working on strengthening and conditioning my body through a varied weekly programme which I actually look forward to! Within a few sessions my achy knee stopped aching, and I was able to see real improvements in the exercises I could do, which really built my confidence. After about 6 months I was confident enough to add some Nordic walking to my programme and also some group fitness sessions – both things I was anxious about being able to do in the past. Now I take part regularly and really enjoy the activities.
The gains from having support from Billy are so many – everything is so personalised and focussed on my whole wellbeing including advice on nutrition when I need it. I am normally risk adverse but having Billy’s support available to me really helps to give me the resolve to push myself that bit more and feel good about myself again. I am feeling better in body and mind and happy. I also have realised that we cannot look after others if we get to the point where there is nothing left in the tank for ourselves.
The best thing for me so far is that I feel more capable, it has given me a lot more confidence physically. I am enjoying being fit again with the added bonus of a whole group of new friends too.
The process of working with Billy was even better than I had hoped. He has always been very well prepared when coming to the session, having an exercise programme ready, developing exercises done in previous sessions in terms of resistance and repetitions as well as bringing new ones. I have some arthritic joints and he was excellent at tailoring exercises to my physical needs and limitations. I liked the way he was creative with the exercise programme and my personal training times were interesting, progressing and made me work hard and to my maximum. Billy gave encouragement and I liked the way he made me do each exercise properly and accurately. The one best result is that I feel fitter, stronger and much more confident.
Small Group Personal Training
I had a vague idea about what some “Bootcamp” style training sessions were like, and had always found them very intimidating, and felt that I wasn’t good enough. This fear disappeared in about the first 30 seconds, the session was nothing like I expected. What stood out the most for me the first time I came was how friendly the session was, with loads of encouragement and advice on how to get the best out of the different exercises.
Every session is fun! The sessions have grown over time, with new exercises and activities, so it’s always an interesting and entertaining hour. It hasn’t got any easier either, as my strength has improved, the weights have got heavier, so I feel like I’m always improving, which I find incredibly rewarding. I like the flexibility too, having plenty of sessions to choose from means I can fit training in around work and my other hobbies without any difficulty.
The best thing about attending these sessions is that I have better core strength and stability, which is something I have never had before, and this has been hugely beneficial for running, especially across uneven ground. This translates to going faster up hill, and much faster down hill too!”
The whole experience whilst attending these sessions has been great! Billy ensured we stretched ourselves in terms of what we can do, but in a very gentle way… he didn’t make us/me feel ‘less’ just because I can’t do some of the exercises- there are always effective modifiers to bridge the gap from what we can do to what we should be doing. What I also like is that it is in the open/fresh air.
It’s a great feeling that I have finally got over my fear/apprehension of boot camps.
Before the I attended the Park Gym Fitness sessions I exercised indoors at a studio. I had tried outdoor exercise before but it wasn’t to my liking. As I had tried outdoor exercise boot camp before. I was sceptical about trying it again. But I went with an open mind. I found it was completely different to my previous experience.
The process of working with Billy is good and at my level and I definitely have improved. I don’t ever feel pressured into any exercise just encouraged to give it a go.
The best results for me so far is a smaller and firmer bum.
From day one any ailments you may have are taken into consideration and your exercises altered to suit how you are feeling that day. My technique is corrected and we always have demonstrations of the exercises beforehand to show us what to do (so no jargon!). Also if I don’t feel up to any of the exercises Billy will find a more basic one to suit me on that specific day. It is absolutely tailored to your specific abilities.
There’s always room for improvement but – I’m fit again!! I like the fact that we do strength training mixed with some cardio so it’s an all-round workout. We always seem to be in a small group so there’s no danger of doing the exercises wrong. Also Billy is mindful of your progress and when you need to step up a gear maybe with heavier weights or faster repetitions so you’re always being encouraged to improve.
And it’s great fun!
Pole Walking
I had recently retired and needed to get out and about but lacked confidence due to balance issues. I had read about Nordic Walking and thought walking with the aid of poles might be the answer.
I found the classes online and attended Try Nordic Walking, after which I took the Learn to Nordic Walk course, both of which were really enjoyable with good instruction and encouragement from instructors (Jayne and Billy) who were then able to assess which level of walking might be suitable.
Nordic Walking has given me confidence to start exercise again and, with the motivation of the instructors and other class members, to really enjoy the open air whatever the weather.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pole walking course. Jayne introduced each element with simple instructions and guidance allowing us to pick it up very quickly. Great way to meet other like minded people and at the same time learning a new skill. Easy to pick up whatever level you are and easy to decide what level to walk at depending on your own body!
Before I started pole walking, I was overweight, unfit & in pain. I’ve also moved around a lot & I’d moved to a new area where I didn’t know anybody. I’ve enjoyed coming to classes because Jayne & Billy made me feel very welcome. I enjoy getting outdoors in the fresh air and getting professional instruction. They push me to get fitter without being too demanding. I have less joint pain & stiffness, also correcting my posture.
I started Nopole rdic walking to get more movement & mobility. I was stooped over a cane & I thought ‘bugger it; I’m going to go & try it. I’m sick of sitting in the house, I’m going out!’ I was dubious at first; I thought ‘Oh God I don’t want to walk with 2 sticks’. At the end of the first session I thought ‘this is it, I can walk straight & upright. I can move more & faster.’ I always feel better after a session & I really enjoy it. I now have my own poles so I can enjoy walking & going out more with my family when I am not in a class. My sister & husband visited us for Christmas & were so impressed how well I was doing & how quickly I could now walk that they have now also started pole walking!