Success Stories

Goal: Weight loss / fitness

Just a quick note to thank you for the very useful time we’ve had this year. As you know, when I came to see you, I had been training hard for a while and achieved significant weight loss (starting at 19 stone). However, I had hit an obstacle and was no longer finding my training sessions productive; neither gaining muscle or losing further weight, causing a degree of unproductive despondence. With your help, I now really feel I have made very significant progress even in a short space of time and now feel both fitter, leaner and more motivated than ever – the best result I could have hoped for.

I found you to be both knowledgeable and personable, which made the whole process a pleasure as well as achieving the results I so badly wanted. Your level of understanding is simply not available at ‘the local’ gym, where they may just give you a program - if you’re lucky. As you so rightly point out – and I now understand - general lifestyle and nutrition as well as other factors all make a large contribution towards what you are able to achieve. I would have no hesitation in recommending your services to anyone that is serious about improving their lifestyle through health and fitness related means – I have not only gained in terms of fitness but have also got a much better understanding of the whole concept.

If you would like to pass this to any potential client of yours, I would be delighted to make a personal recommendation should they wish to contact me directly.

Goal: Sports-specific

I’ve known Barry for 4 years now since I started gym training at 16. By then I was already keen on body conditioning and exercise. However, I had just started Pole Vaulting for my Athletics Club and realised my training needed to change if I wanted to improve. I went to Barry for his advice and together we looked at the demands of Vaulting. Because of his enthusiastic approach I knew he was focused on my needs. His vast knowledge of different training techniques helped create a
training programme both fun and professional. I was always going to get stronger because I was only 16 however; Barry’s training has improved other important aspects of fitness such as my flexibility, speed, core stability and abdominals, which are all vital for Pole Vault.

I train at the gym 3 times a week and although I don’t always have personal training sessions with Barry he is always there to gladly give advice. Not only has my physical fitness increased but I now know a huge range of techniques for training. A great character and trainer

Goal: Weight loss, Improve fitness and diet

In a word, Impressed. I am an extremely happy customer, and would recommend Barry to anyone who wants to achieve weight loss targets.

I have trained with Barry for 11 months, and I have lost 7.5 stone, this has made a real difference to my fitness and energy levels. My initial meeting with Barry was really helpful as it gave me a clear understanding of what to expect from my training. My training with Barry has two important elements, one is the intense workout twice a week and the other is food and nutrition advice. I have always found Barry to be dedicated and hard working, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about nutrition and a vast range of exercises. He is highly professional, reliable and enthusiastic in his approach to his clients, with a good sense of humour.   Barry has motivated me over the months, and I have achieved more than I ever anticipated, by making small and consistent changes.   My workouts in the gym are interesting and varied and I am pushed just to the right level.  

Goal: Weight loss, Improve body shape and tone

I have been exercising for quite a few years for a couple of reasons; one to stay fit and the other to shift some weight.  I was introduced to Barry last summer (June 2009) and myself and some colleagues from the office started having 1 or 2 group sessions a week training outside in a field. I really enjoyed this and decided to have some 1-2-1.  I felt fairly fit and was already training around 5 times a week but had plateaued and really wanted to do something that would make some noticeable changes – but I wasn’t too convinced it was achievable seeing as I had been trying for so long!  The sessions were hard work but I really enjoyed them, and soon enough I started to notice significant changes in my shape and size. Barry helped me understand about diet and nutrition and I have pretty much stopped my late night chocolate/sweet binging! We put some goals and targets in place 3 months before my 30^th birthday. I lost 4 inches from waist and hips and around 2 inches from my thighs. I am really pleased with my results, and it’s boosted my confidence. It’s made me feel so confident in fact that I had no hesitation in wearing my ultra short size 10 dress to my party. It hasn’t stopped here though; I am continuing to train hard with Barry.

Goal: Weight loss, Improve fitness and injury prevention

I had spent years trying to sort out my fitness, and a tendency to put on weight. I knew that nutrition and exercise balance were key, but it was only when I met Barry that I understood fully how the two were related and what to do about it to avoid the classic diet- like- mad, succeed, then put- all- that- weight- back- on cycle. I was eating healthy food and always home cooked and I used to have my own exercise regime; I can be really determined. But I would start off too fast, and end up injured after 6 weeks and then get very down hearted and comfort eat. I have been training with Barry for nearly 2 years now, once a week, either in the gym, or in my garden. He taught me what to eat when, so that I know how to keep control over my weight, and live a normal family life at the same time. And I have never sustained an injury through following his excellent and very personalised exercise regimes. I have a history of back problems and prolapsed discs: a thing of the past. I am so much stronger now, and enjoy my sport without worrying. I sleep much better too, and I never expected that as a benefit!

Barry is very professional, and enthusiastic, and as such you can’t help but be motivated. I would thoroughly recommend him as a personal trainer. I have just started doing a second session each week with some mates as a group, in the garden: we’re focussed, but it’s fun!

Goal: Motivation and improve knowledge

I’ve been training with Barry for many months and I’ve never met someone so dedicated and passionate about training.  Don’t be surprised to find Barry texting & emailing you nutritional advice, motivational one liners and the latest exercise to keep you on track throughout the week.  Barry will go beyond the training session to make sure you achieve your results.  I have improved my fitness level and gained a wealth of knowledge on how to achieve my goals.

Barry is always enthusiastic and totally professional – I would recommend him to anyone!

Goal: Weight loss, improve fitness

Like many of us, you would probably like to be fitter, healthier and in better shape. Most of us think that fuelled by this desire and initial enthusiasm that a quick visit to the Gym once or twice a week can achieve this.

The problem I found with this method is lack of knowledge together with lack of direction. Like many sports it is possible to pick up bad habits without proper guidance and instruction, I know of some people that have caused themselves physical harm by training incorrectly. The other difficulty is that we tend to concentrate on exercises we like and pay far less attention to other important exercises. The enthusiasm begins to subside and we don’t get anywhere very quickly. Asking Barry for his help and guidance was the best decision I made last year. He has a deep understanding of the relationship between lifestyle, eating correctly, training and regular exercise. He works closely with you every step of the way, develops training sessions which are interesting, challenging but also very rewarding. You will get invaluable advice on dietary requirements and general lifestyle and he monitors your progress every step of the way.

If you have any weaknesses or injuries he will develop a program which enables you to train around the problem and in many cases, even fix it. His depth of knowledge is remarkable and for me, my enthusiasm has grown over the months rather than dwindled.

When I first asked Barry for help, I was overweight, lethargic, a bit stressed out and eating badly. In only three months, I lost 1.5 stone without ever going hungry, increased my overall fitness to a level which has enabled me to enjoy my exercise routine, I’m in far better shape and feel so much more healthy and able to deal with life in a positive way and it has rebuilt my self confidence. Whatever your fitness requirements are, I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Barry as your personal trainer, it will probably be the best decision you make this year!

Weight loss, Improve Overall Fitness

I had a goal to reach. To lose 2 stone in a year! I knew I couldn’t do it on my own. My son suggested I talk to Barry. Six moths down the line, I have lost 1 stone and it certainly worked for me, as I feel fitter and healthier.

Without his motivational skills, constant text messages and a little bullying, well, firm encouragement, I know instead of being a stone lighter, I would be 2 stone heavier”.

By keeping a diary of intake and reviewing it with Barry’s expert eye each week, I have only slightly changed my eating habits.

The fitness training is challenging but enjoyable. He looks out for your wellbeing, pushing you to your limit but not to extremes.

Weight loss, Increase Muscle Tone

Barry has always been a role model for me throughout my life. Being his younger brother, there has always been a huge part of me that wants to achieve my goals within my training and receive the respect and repay the guidance he has provided me down the years. Barry to me is the complete package of what a Personal trainer should be. He eats, sleeps and drinks training and conditioning and gains a real satisfaction when he plays a huge role to help others achieve their goals within their own training regimes. Barry also leads by example; being in great shape himself he shows that with hard work, commitment and the desire to succeed you can achieve great results. He is there for anyone who wants advice or the motivation to get up out of the sofa and make a real transformation not only physically but mentally as well as by changing individuals attitude and approach to training and conditioning.

When I first started my training regime I never really had any clear set goals of what I was achieving and how long it would take for me to lose weight. I was training on a very regular basis but not really achieving the maximum results that I wanted. I then asked Barry for some guidance and advice and he educated the importance of having a clean nutritional diet integrated with the most effective exercises to gain the greatest results possible. With this major aspect being added to my regime and lifestyle this has enabled me to lose a lot excess body fat and enable me to excel in the sport I love, football. Also due to Barry’s research and excelled knowledge within this field, he has contributed new fresh ideas to my training regime with fun and demanding exercise to keep my training enjoyable on a daily basis. Barry’s guidance has had a huge positive impact on my self-confidence which is vitally important in everyday life.

5 Goal Professional Polo Player and HPA Qualified Coach

The majority of polo players spend so much time focusing on the well being and physical condition of their horses yet they neglect their own physical fitness and well being.

Being a 5 goal professional and playing up to 3 games a day my body gets pushed often to its limit. Serious injury could render me out for the season jeopordising my livelihood.

I realised that it was vital that I started training regularly to not only prevent injury but to also keep me in good condition and play to my maximum ability.

After examining me riding and playing competitive polo, Barry created a bespoke programme focusing on what muscle groups are mainly engaged when playing polo. The personal training then complimented my specific sport.

I would often neglect stretching but this and using the foam roller to iron out any aches or pains during regular training slots has now become a vital part of my routine.

Barry has an extremely professional approach and goes out of his way to help his clients achieve his goals – even lending me his trainers when I lost mine!

Above all he is fun and charismatic making you want to come back for more even after the most gruelling of sessions!

I look forward to returning to the UK and working with you next season

Many thanks again

Jamie

Polo Player

In April 2011 I started a training course with Barry in order to increase my fitness and strength and to help avoid injury due to the physical exertion that playing polo puts on the body especially with an over emphasised curvature of the spine.

Previous trainers had only added to my problems resulting in me being unable to play or even move without pain.

Barry identified my weaknesses immediately and I completed the season injury and pain free with an improved posture due to the tailored programme that he created for me.

Barry has a fantastic eye for detail – no slacking, cheating or deterioration of posture allowed!

Above all he has an exceptional enthusiasm for training and takes a real interest in his clients well being, health and training.

His sessions are fun and varied avoiding training becoming mundane which can often lead to people giving up.

No matter how impossible you think your goal will be to achieve, Barry will get you there with laughter all the way.

I will definitely continue training with Barry. His sessions have not only become part of my weekly routine but also he has become a valuable asset and fundamental part of the CPG Polo team

Thank you!

Sally dawson