Testimonials

Simon Is an outstanding personal trainer with an excellent in-depth knowledge of his subject, able to articulate his instructions clearly in his very personable style.
I was 62 years old and aware that I was losing my body strength and flexibility. I signed up with Simon in July 2013 and began a programme of two one-hour sessions per week.
Initially I was anxious about my abilities, as although I was reasonably fit, I had never trained with weights before and I was even more anxious about this young coach’s ability to teach me anything that I did not know already. I have been amazed at how regular weight training in a scientific and incremental manner has transformed my strength, flexibility and wellbeing. (I completed this year’s B’ham half-marathon in my best time ever)
This is due to Simons thoughtful, planned and professional approach to our sessions. I was very sceptical about what I was being asked to do each week and without fail I would ask Simon to explain why I should squat, deadlift or press etc. his explanations are irritatingly flawless, science-based arguments. I have learnt more about the muscles and joints in my body in the past six months than the I ever have through reading or watching years of television documentaries.
We always finish with a ten minute cardio-session and Simon annoyingly manages to coerce me into performing in excess of what one would consider realistic or even sensible, I have survived thus far.
The Performance Gym is well equipped, cost of hire and Simon’s fee structure are both very reasonable.

Simon has been training me for about 10 months now, and in that time I’ve gone from slovenly desk lurker to active and capable. I made a joke with him at the beginning of our training sessions that I’d be happy if I could run for a bus and not be near-death if I made it, but he’s encouraged me the entire time to work beyond the expectations I have of myself and designed our sessions to make sure that I end up surprising myself.

I was motivated to do something about my health during my write up year, when I discovered my blood pressure was through the roof. I finally plucked up the tiny amount of courage needed to approach the gym staff at UOB, explain that I hadn’t been in a gym for nearly 10 years, ask for a membership and any info on personal training and advice. Shortly after, Simon contacted me for a sit down and we worked out what kind of thing I was aiming to achieve, and after some very simple advice go to the training part. Within 6 weeks my blood pressure was back where it should be and I was feeling infinitely better about my health and well being in general.

I feel like I’m made a huge amount of progress but there is always another, bigger mountain to climb and Simon’s talent lie’s in getting the right balance between pushing you to your limits and allowing you to feel how far you’ve come from your starting point.

Buses also not a problem any more.

I came to Simon with a very specific agenda. I wanted him to help me to put together a programme of strength / core work that I could maintain without attending the gym. I wanted to be able to do the sessions at home with a minimum of equipment. He was really supportive and taught me a wide range of exercises that I can choose from and put together in short circuits.
With his help I have incorporated this strength work into my daily routine and am already seeing the benefit from it.
Simon is always very encouraging, and pushes me to do more than I often think I am capable of. He is friendly and professional, and seems very knowledgeable on fitness issues.
I have really enjoyed the sessions and really appreciate how willing he was to work with my specific requirements. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a personal trainer. PJ (female, age 59yrs)

I aproached Simon as a personal trainer because he has a specialist background and training in working with people with long term conditions such as hypermobility, chronic fatigue and pain. I had tried every thing to help with my fatigue and nothing seemed to be working. At this time I was using a walking stick on a daily basis. Simon created a fitness program targeting my goals which were to improve my health and become stronger. After two months of using his program my pain and fatigue has been the best it’s ever been. I’ve only used my walking stick once on one fatigue flare up in the last 2 months. Compared to daily flare ups. So it’s really helping. I think my joints are slowly getting stronger. And I’ve managed to deadlift 90kg. When last year I struggled to do 35kg . I wouldn’t have got so far without Simons help and guidance. I’m finally training and getting stronger with no injuries. I would really encourage anyone with long term health conditions to work with Simon. He is extremely knowledgeable and can help you achieve your goals. I wish I did this sooner.

I have had Simon as PT for many years now. He is knowledgeable, always up to date with the new science on training which he applies with care to me. I feel safe and know I get the best out of my training given how I am on the day. He listens to me and he sees how my body can do more or sometimes not so much in times of injuries. Always have a version or tips of good alternatives. He always makes a lot of effort to find a slot that fits my often busy schedule. In short the PT I can trust.

A-C Frandsen

Simon has been a fantastic PT – he supported me back to fitness after a long term illness and I feel so much stronger and healthier. Lifting weights always felt scary to me but he’s given me all confidence and support to build my own practice

Hi I started my sessions with Simon as a reluctant participant as I used to hate the gym after my stroke . I knew I had to ensure my movement improved so I signed in with Simon even when I was feeling not brilliant. Simon had to put up with my moaning but his cheerful disposition and talking and asking me questions meant that I was able to began to concentrate on the areas that my body needed development. He have concentrated on legs and arms and also on the right side of my body that needs alignment. Positioning when walking and standing straight. I am stronger now and I began to look at weight management, but I am working very slowly at this. Something that he has told me is that everyone in the gym is there for different reasons and they are not worry about you, how you look, etc. However, I have realised that everyone is happy to support your journey. Gracias Simón x

I have been training with Simon, once a week, for almost a year. Although, in truth, I, often, dread the sessions, another part of me really looks forward to being ‘put through my paces’! And, once the hour and exercise is over, I feel so pleased that I am able to say I’ve done it. I can’t lay claim to this being solely down to my own exertion and input, however, as it is, in fact, largely down to the positive atmosphere and enthusiasm Simon creates in each session. I think one of the main strengths of Simon’s style of teaching is his ability to tune in to different personality types (I train with a friend) and adapt the programme and his teaching technique accordingly to get the best out of each individual. I particularly like the fact that he keeps the session content varied from week to week and really seems to carefully consider, and take into account, each week’s progress (or challenges) to concentrate and improve on in subsequent sessions. Simon is very encouraging as a trainer and even though I, regularly, put up protest, he is adept at managing my inclination to mentally give up on an exercise before I’ve even tried it. He always succeeds in persuading me to push myself and test my boundaries. As well as the obvious physical benefits of this, it also does a great deal for my self-esteem and confidence. Even after a relatively short time (following years of inactivity) I can certainly feel and see the difference that training has had on my body and mind and it is really good to be in a position of feeling stronger, less creaky and fitter. Thank you, Simon. April 2015 -E.S, Female Age 42

Simon has been my personal trainer since July 2012, during which time he has continually shown reliability, enthusiasm and professionalism. As a graduate of The University of Birmingham, Simon brings a great deal of technical and personal expertise to our training sessions and continually demonstrates an ability to adapt exercises, both in modality and focus, allowing me to realize my potential. I have always found Simon to be a highly organised and efficient communicator, both in terms of detailed instruction during training and in terms of arranging to fit sessions in around my job. This has been absolutely essential to me given the ‘unsocial’ hours of my work. I consider Simon to be a great role model, always challenging me to push myself to achieve my goals and providing the guidance I need to do this. Since I began training my original expectations have already been surpassed with vast improvements in strength, stamina and body shape. I thoroughly enjoy our training sessions and see the work we have done, in terms of investment, to be one of the best I’ve ever made. As a personal trainer I would not hesitate to recommend him! -JR, Male, Age 30

Simon has been my Personal Trainer for 6 to 7 months. I have certainly improved my fitness and gained some body tone – which is quite an achievement for an unenthusiastic exerciser like me. We do a mix of cardio, general exercises and weights which I have found I really like although I had not done these before. Simon has a cheerful and calm way of encouraging me – and definitely does not shout. He has also helped with specific weaknesses some years after hip operations and has taken over where the physiotherapist left off. I always enjoy my personal training sessions with Simon, he has helped keep me motivated – and going far longer than I normally commit to exercise classes – so I would be happy to recommend Simon. August 2014 -E.R, Female, Age 55

When I decided, just over a year ago, to improve my general fitness, I was asked by Simon what I wanted any training programme to achieve My main aim at the time, (not a particularly ambitious one), was to be able to coach and demonstrate the various moves realistically to my pupils in my chosen sport, (Fencing). Realistically, I knew that, at my age at the time, (72), any training programme was going to be challenging. Simon started the programme at a level that I could cope with, (just), but with his attitude, advice and encouragement, (and praise occasionally!), I gained confidence in my physical ability to take on the challenge.
Simon makes the sessions more interesting by changing the sessions slightly each week, working on different muscle groups with the occasional cardio exercise thrown in. I always finish the training sessions tired but motivated.
Simon is always easy to talk to, in any training relationship the ability to feedback what is working and what needs changing is essential, however it shouldn’t be critical or judgemental. I like to analyse my technique and general performance, Simon always has interesting and relevant comments to make, based on the high level of expertise and experience he possesses.
Over the year+ my strength, stamina, flexibility and balance have all improved. This gives me the confidence to believe that the improvement can continue for a few years yet, for which I totally thank Simon.

I started training with Simon over two years ago with the main aim of finally stabilising and rehabilitating my right knew which had undergone several major surgeries as a result of recurrent inflammatory problems and regularly flared up swelling and preventing me from getting into any regular exercise routine. Simon took lots of time to really understand what the underlying problem was (which a lot of physios and trainers had not done before) and we started gently with regular stability and single leg strength exercises. Very quickly regular sessions with Simon finally helped me to consistent get back to exercise and strength training – over 2 years later the wider benefit to me has been to give me the confidence to start going back to other classes like body pump, yoga and spin which seemed like a world away. Simon has a really holistic approach to health, strength and training – I have learnt a lot from Simon. I always look forward to our sessions and they are a fundamental part of my health and fitness now. Female, age 51.