Personal training to aid rehabilitation & recovery
Working with existing medical conditions
The most rewarding part of being a personal trainer is helping clients who suffer from existing medical conditions use exercise to improve their daily quality of life. Whether it’s being able to walk without pain, lift up their grandchildren or be able to perform activities they thought would never be possible, exercise (especially strength and resistance training) can make a huge difference to peoples’ lives. I have experience working with a range of existing medical conditions including common conditions such as joint pain and mobility issues and back-related conditions.
Joint pain and mobility issues
Joint pain - typically caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis (breakdown of protective cartilage in key joints) or osteopenia (breakdown of bone tissue) are common conditions and can significantly reduce a client’s mobility and stability and quality of life. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease can affect a client’s mobility, strength and control. Depending on the specific condition, I work with clients to develop strength in muscle groups around key joints, use exercises to increase range of motion and increase flexibility and introduce specific exercises to improve balance and control.
“Nick’s approach to training is intelligent, thoughtful, carefully-tailored, research-driven and brilliantly structured. He is relentlessly cheerful, encouraging and supportive – even before silly-o-clock in the morning!
After I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease four years ago, I was resigned to a steady, inexorable loss of mobility. Nick’s thoroughly researched and methodically delivered exercise programme has not just helped me take control of my symptoms (and improved my psychological state) – but I’m also convinced he’s helped me significantly reduce their debilitating impact.
At the same time, he’s helped me get fitter than I’ve been in decades”
“Nick has been invaluable in my endeavours to improve my health and wellbeing. Having widespread osteoarthritis he has been attentive to my limitations and has adapted and devised a muscle strengthening programme that has improved my flexibility and stability. Working with Nick has helped my self-confidence and belief that I can with perseverance maintain my current level of mobility.
Working with Nick has done me a world of good!!”
“Last year I was due to start looking after my 1 year old granddaughter and was aware that I wasn’t as fit as I’d like to be and was concerned about my core strength, lifting and carrying her. Being 68 at the time, a bit overweight with arthritis and osteopenia I was a bit nervous! I’ve never been keen on exercise, have tried the gym but hated it.
I contacted Nick as I decided a one-to-one approach would suit me better. He was so encouraging and reassuring that although I was apprehensive, I was keen to give it a go.
One year on and I can’t recommend him enough. I have done exercises I couldn’t have imagined being able to do, have achieved fitness levels far greater than expected and can now keep up with my 4yr old grandson when he wants to run to the park, as well as lifting his little sister with no problem. My muscle strength is much improved so the pain I had been having with arthritis is reduced; I used to use knee and wrist supports but no longer need these at all.
Nick is very motivating, sets challenging targets and will push you to your limits - which are higher than you think!
The virtual sessions are great and have meant that training could carry on throughout lockdown, which kicked in so soon after I started working with Nick. I wasn’t sure about doing virtual sessions at first, but they’re so easy and being able to work out at home is great.
If you are considering doing this I would say, definitely go for it, no matter what your age or starting point. If I can do what I have done, anyone can”
Working with back-related conditions
At some point in our life most of us will experience back pain - especially in the lower back region.
There are many reasons why we encounter back pain and they are often interlinked, complex and very rarely is there one ‘cause’. Whether as a result of lifestyle (for example, hunching over a laptop, holding a young child in a specific way, exercise), injury or degenerative conditions, the body develops in a specific way which can lead to muscle imbalances, weaknesses and subsequently, pain which often presents itself in the (lower) back region.
There is no “cure” for back pain (especially if you have a degenerative condition). However, by identifying areas of weakness and developing strength and mobility in these areas, pain can be significantly reduced. I have helped clients who have had long-term back conditions including degenerative discs, sciatica and those recovering from back surgery.
“I have a history of back problems, involving a bulging disc and degenerative discs. I had back surgery in 2018, but when the pain started to reappear I contacted Nick through his website in March 2020. I was very nervous and anxious about any form of exercise, due to the back issues and previous negative experience of attending gyms and classes.
Nick worked patiently and skilfully with me, putting together a programme that would build up the strength in my back. He listened to what I wanted to achieve through the training, and spent time each session checking in about how I was, and how my back was feeling.
I am still training with Nick, 3 years later, and have gone from not being able to walk more than 10-15 minutes without pain, to walking 100k over two days, running a half marathon, and cycling 100k in a day. Nick has encouraged me through all my madcap challenges. He puts together well researched programmes, not only to support whatever event is current, but to help me achieve my goal.
I would highly recommend Nick as a PT. He is knowledgeable, and always puts programmes together that will push me beyond what I think I can manage…but his instinct about my ability is always right! The training sessions can be tough, but there’s always laughter and fun, as Nick will put you at ease with the humour element of training!
Having a personal trainer is much more than achieving a good level of physical fitness, it’s also about a strong level of mental health. The principles by which Spark Move Grow operates help me reach my potential and more
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“I’ve been working out with Nick for a couple of months now. I have had problems with my lower back/discs since childhood and more recently an issue with my hips. I’ve always enjoyed exercise but have increasingly found it difficult to find something which worked for me because of these issues. Fast forward to now and having worked with Nick, I’m already stronger, healthier and happier.
Nick continually adapts exercises so that I’m pushing myself without causing discomfort or harm. He’s creative and patient, pushing me when he knows I can do more and always checking in to see I’m ok.
My physiotherapist is really pleased with the increased muscle strength in my upper back and core. Nick has also managed to incorporate my physiotherapists’ recommendations in my work-outs. If you’re thinking about doing this I urge you to be brave and have a go. You won’t regret it!”
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The Process
The Spark Move Grow journey includes simple, no-nonsense steps to becoming fitter, stronger and more confident.
STEP 1: INITIAL CONSULTATION
Conducted in-person at the studio the (free) initial consultation is an important part of the process as it ensures that I create a training programme that is personalised for each client and designed to achieve their specific goals. We discuss goals, previous experience, likes/dislikes, any important medical notes and it gives clients an opportunity to find out about me and get a sense of how I work with clients. I also carry out an initial assessment to understand a client’s mobility and flexibility.
STEP 2: EXERCISE INDUCTION
In this session I go through a client’s customised training programme in detail including a full induction of all the exercises in their programme (including any ‘DIY’ sessions they may do at home).
STEP 3: 1-2-1 TRAINING SESSIONS
All my clients follow an exercise programme, increasing the weight/repetitions progressively and using “intensity techniques” to get the best out of every workout. Each session’s achievements are recorded on the online programme to track progress and set achievable targets for forthcoming sessions.
STEP 4: REFLECTION
Exercising and training isn’t about completing a routine, getting good at it and then doing the same thing over-and-over again. At the end of each training phase I do a reflection session with clients to review progress (and challenges) and discuss plans for the next phase of training.
Escape the crowds - train 1-2-1 in the private studio:
Training in a gym can be an intimidating experience and isn’t for everyone. I have a private training studio where clients train on a 1-2-1 basis. There’s no waiting for equipment or worrying about how you look in front of other people. You can find more about the studio here: https://www.sparkmovegrow.co.uk/studio
How much does it cost?
Less than 12 x Sessions
£45 per session
For 12+ Sessions (in Advance)
£40 per session (£480 for 12 sessions)
Personal Trainer Wokingham - FAQs
Some frequently asked questions about personal or physical training in Wokingham are:
“Why should I hire a personal trainer when I can just do it myself?
Whether you’re looking to get leaner, stronger or improve your overall fitness or mobility, you need a tailored programme to give you the best chance of achieving your goals (and stop progress from stalling). I provide clients with training programmes and techniques based on scientific research and the motivation and experience to help them achieve their goals.
“I’m not sure I’m able to commit to paying for 12 sessions up-front”
I provide a range of options including paying in 6 week instalments.
“I haven’t done any exercise before/for a long time and feel nervous about doing so”
A lot of my clients haven’t been in a gym for a long time and are understandably nervous about exercising. As part of the initial consultation I find out what (if any) experience new clients have of exercise so I can create a training programme that introduces exercises slowly and provides a solid foundation for progressing over time.
Get Strong and Fit
To start your journey, fill in this quick form to set up an initial call