personal training

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personal training with George Anderson

Making the decision to change is remarkably hard. Not only is it hard but without the proper support and guidance it can often be short lived.

More often than not, by the time people like you come to see people like me they have already made some difficult decisions.

You have probably already decided for instance, that you are not completely happy with the way you look, feel or perform.

You know you want something different, but perhaps you can't quite put your finger on exactly what it is.

The classic "lose weight and tone up" is almost always only the very outermost layer of what the real issue is. Getting down to the bottom of this is the first crucial step to building a successful trainer / client relationship.

Training philosophy

My overriding philosophy is to train the body as it is designed to move.

This means no resistance machines or use of any other equipment that does not allow natural movement and use of the whole body as a system.

Whilst this form of training goes against the ethos of many gyms that fill their space with resistance machines with levers and buttons and pads and supports, it is actually part of a growing trend of exercise enthusiasts and trainers who are keen to get incredible results in as short a time as possible.

It is also worth noting at this point that I don't work with just anybody.

My motivation, knowledge and experience can never take the place of your inner drive and commitment to your own success.

Unless you are able to take responsibility for your current situation then I am unlikely to be able to help you. My clients are generally self-motivated people who are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone in order to improve their lives.

Guidance I can provide. Structure I can provide. Motivation to push a little harder I can provide. Advice and support I can provide.

What I cannot do is to hand you your results on a plate. You are the only person who can go on that journey - my responsibility lies with making that journey a little less painful.

Client case study

A few weeks ago I sat down with a lady who had been using the gym on and off for some time and had actually been putting on weight over the last 12 months.

We discussed the reasons why she wanted to lose weight. She was a very sociable person, used to going to lots of parties and events. Since putting on weight she had found herself turning down more and more invitations to social functions because she didn't feel comfortable wearing nice outfits any more.

More importantly this was the first time she had ever admitted this to anyone else, or even spoken the words out loud.

From that moment, this lady became more empowered and determined to reach her goal of a healthy, fit physique. She is currently well on her way to success.

If you already know that you want to find out more about working directly with me, you can contact me directly via the contact page, or read on for more information about the services I offer.

1:1 personal training

To try and illustrate the practical implications of 1:1 personal training, consider this typical scenario many of my clients find themselves in before and after starting with personal training:

BEFORE

Five days a week, Debbie used to visit the gym before work. She would spend half an hour or so on the cross trainer and bike, working fairly hard and getting her heart rate up a bit.

She would then move onto the weights machines where she would spend the next 20 minutes lifting weights (the same weights she was lifting 6 months previously!).

The last 10 minutes was spent doing sit ups and crunches on the "ab cradle" before finishing up with 5 minutes of stretching.

AFTER

Twice a week Debbie now meets with me at 7am. We discuss the day's workout that has been planned specifically for that session, based on the performance from previous sessions and of course the overall and short term goals.

We start the session with some dynamic mobility work, gradually increasing the heart rate whilst also preparing the nervous system for the workout ahead.

Although every single session is different, a typical workout might include some integrated flexibility drills, kettlebell technique work and muscle activation exercises. This would then be followed by strength training exercises, focusing on technique rather than simply lifting huge weights. A short interval workout on the rower or punchbag and kettlebells would then follow, finishing up with some static stretching.

Debbie also comes to the gym on 3 other occasions and follows a training program I have written for her. This program is reviewed every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on current progress.

In the above example, not only does Debbie experience greater benefits from the 1:1 training than working out on her own, the variety of every session means that she now actually looks forwards to coming to the gym!

By continually assessing, reassessing and altering the overall training program it is possible to minimise the length of time it takes to achieve your goals. 1:1 personal training is a proven method of achieving this which is why it is the most popular service I offer.

If you already know that you want to find out more about working directly with me, you can contact me directly via the contact page, or read on for more information about the services I offer.

What my clients say

"In the last I have had lower back problems and I've torn cartilage in my knees, as a result I have found my balance and flexibility poor. After a few months working with George I can now get into and out of the back seat of a sports car with ease. Prior to working with George, my contortions trying to get in and out was met with derisive laughter from my friends!

"George is actually my fourth personal trainer. His knowledge and understanding of the muscles in the body is phenomenal. Whenever I have had difficulties with an exercise he finds alternative routes to achieve the same goal.

"He explains why my movements are being restricted and what needs to be worked on to correct the problem. He is the first trainer I have had that has the lesson plans written down, results recorded and evaluated. As a former teacher, I fully appreciate the value of this!" - Sue Flynn

"I started training with George 12 months ago after noticing how amazing my hairdresser (also one of George's clients) looked. I have never looked back. The sessions are varied, he takes you much further than you would go if you were training on your own.

"I look better at 36 than I did at 26 - that says it all!" - Suzie Honey

"I was skeptical about PT sessions at first but from the start George listened to my goals and was honest about my ability to achieve them based on body type and genetics.

"The training plans have been spot on in terms of the exercises I like to do and what keeps me interested, and I can see results already!" - Tracey Kemp

"I must admit that I was reluctant to start personal training, but as my wife had bought me 10 sessions as a Christmas present I thought I had at least better turn up. I have never been a fan of gyms so the idea of someone standing next to me pressing buttons on a treadmill filled me horror.

"I was relieved, therefore, that this turned out not to be what George was all about. He listened to me about my goals but also about what I enjoyed doing. I play a lot of golf and squash and am very competitive so George's sessions factored this in.

"Not only have I lost over a stone in weight but I am also most agile on the squash court and have improved my golf drive significantly - I even won the longest drive competition at a charity golf day the other month!

"George's ability to put together diverse and enjoyable sessions that deliver the goods means that I am still training with him twice a week a year later! - Ged Gallagher

The average time most trainers spend in the industry before leaving it for good is around 6 months. I have been a helping clients achive results for over a decade. If I wasn't making a good living doing what I do then I too would undoubtedly have left the profession a long time ago.

Trainers usually leave the industry because they are unable to deliver consistent results to a wide range of clients.

My clients aren't stupid - if they weren't getting what they wanted from the service I provide they certainly wouldn't continue to pay me just to hang out together!

Location

I work in two locations - Reading, Berkshire and Thame, Oxfordshire.

If you are based in or around either of these locations and have goals you want to achieve, then we may be able to work on a 1:1 basis to help you.

If you want to find out more about working directly with me, you can contact me directly via the contact page.

Remote coaching

This service is currently only available for runners and consists of weekly phone calls and emails working towards a specific race.

My involvement with races such as the Reading Half Marathon and the Dublin Marathon mean that I communicate with many runners from all around the UK and Ireland. Remote coaching provides an alternative to 1:1 personal training that gives you structure, support and perhaps most importantly accountability for your training.

Training workshops

I also run a series of running specific training workshops in the UK and Ireland. To find out more about upcoming training workshops in Reading please visit www.readinghalfmarathontraining.co.uk for more information.