Affordable Personal Training

Hey guys! So I was thinking, I run this blog and give out advice because it's something im passionate about. Yet I have neglected to tell you how to hire me.

Im not saying you have to, my methods are quite unique and to that end not up everyones street. But I can say with confidence I get results! A client of mine even has trials for team gb this weekend.

I won't push myself too much, that's not what this blog is about. But if you have confidence in me don't hesitate to get in touch. I work primarily in the north east, Newcastle and Northumberland. Happy to help anyone as enthusiastic about results as me.

You can find out more about my business here (including prices)
www.looknupfitness.co.uk

Or ring: 07951354597

Much love
Andy

Choosing your trainer

It's came to my attention these past couple of months that choosing a personal trainer can be quite challenging for some. It's understandable considering the vast selection out there, but don't be fooled. Being a personal trainer myself I know what it takes, and I know the difference between a good and a great trainer... Read on folks:

REPs:

The register of exercise professionals or REPs, is the first thing you should look for. By being a member of REPs your personal trainer has proven he/she is qualified. On top of this they are bound by a 'code of ethical conduct'.

There are 5 principles to this code:

1- rights
2- relationships
3- personal responsibilities
4- professional standards
5- safe working environment

I won't bore you with the details of each of these but all in all if they are not on this register don't even contemplate it.

What kind of service do you want:

This one depends very much on you. If you're just looking for the odd one off session then im pretty sure any trainer can help you. But if you're looking for results you don't just want a trainer, you want a mentor. If your trainer doesn't check up on you occasionally, doesn't advise you, doesn't answer any and all of your questions, or in simple terms just counts your reps, then why bother? Ditch them quick!

What's your budget:

Right of the bat I can tell you if you're being charged three figures for a session or two you're probably being laughed at in their spare time, which they will have a lot of since you alone pay their bills.
Think logically, what are you getting for the price you pay? I charge £20 per session, or 10 sessions for £180, with option to split the cost with a friend. For this my clients get the session itself, a personalised program for them to do alone, and a diet analysis, not to mention any advice they may need. If you aren't receiving the works and feeling like a priority, then you shouldn't be paying for it.

Results:

It's what you pay for right? All trainers worth their salt are educated on the same specifications. It is experience and research that separates the ones that get results from the ones who don't. Ask to see some testimonials. Anything that shows a track record of success should be proudly made available by any trainer. If they don't have anything then it's up to you to take the chance, all trainers have to start somewhere, but it's certainly safer to pay for experience.

The above are what you must consider, but what is more subtle and harder to find is a trainer who's attitude reflects his work. Finding this passion can be difficult. If your trainer feeds of your success and is as glad as you are about that extra pound you managed to shift, then you're on to a winner. Likewise if their motivational style gets you pumped to give 100%, or if you try extra hard to make them proud. If your trainer fits the bill as someone driven, ambitious, and is a suitable friendly role model, then you didn't need to read this far ;)... Maybe they are so passionate they right a helpful blog in their spare time...

Did you miss me?

Yo! Sorry for the lack of post guys.
I'm currently overloaded with work amongst other things. My studies for my GP referral qualification are putting me knee deep in paper too. So until I can become a bit more regular with my post, here are some inspirational quotes to keep you motivated and head strong!

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone"
"Limitations live only in the mind"
"The difference between a goal and a dream is a deadline"
"Just Do It" - Nike
"It's never too late to become what you might have been"
"Motivation will almost always beat mere talent"

I have these as sticky notes in my room. I swear to you just a motivational reminder can make all the difference to the day you have ahead of you. Put them in places you visit often. I have mine on my laptop screen and T.V. so I am persuaded to be active rather than stare at the glare of a screen.

Much love guys, I'll be back very soon!

Size doesn't matter.

It really doesn't. At least not were strength is concerned.
Did you know there are three different ways to train? In this post I will be explaining 'strength' training.

Strength training is aimed at increasing the neuromuscular connections to muscles, and not the size of the muscle itself (although some size does tend to be part of the package).

By increasing these connections to each muscle your body becomes much stronger and quicker and contracting that part of the body. This means a couple of things, mainly, your reaction time and speed of contraction is significantly increased. You can test this by triggering your fight or flight response in your body. And of course your actual strength is increased.

To train this way:

Strength training is very demanding on the body and depending on how much you push yourself it is not uncommon to have up to 4 minutes rest between sets to avoid early fatigue or joint injury.

6 reps is the maximum repetitions you should be doing each set, any more and you risk training for hypertrophy (bulking up). You should be struggling by the 6th rep

So basically guys that is strength training in short, I'll go in depth at a later date. But if you're training for a fight, need honed reflexes, or are wanting to surprise your friends that such a little body is so strong, then this is the training method for you!

Oh one more thing! Don't be silly, have a spotter or an instructor on hand... If you don't need either of these then you're taking it too easy!

It's Free Friday!

 My business promotes a thing called 'Free Fridays'. This basically means every Friday something is offered for free, whether it be advice, a exercise programme, or a promotional offer. This week it is a free calculation.
Email me at andrewhedley@looknupfitness.co.uk and I will calculate just how many calories you need to eat, or can get away with eating, in regards to your fitness goals.

This is very handy to know if :

• You are looking to bulk up
• You lack the energy to exercise
• You are looking to maintain/lose weight
• You are struggling to lose weight
• You are seeing limited improvements

When you get in touch with you email include the following :

• Your weight
• Your height
• Your age
• Your gender
• How many hours of exercise you partake in per week

Just a little update

  I was leaving work last night after training one of my more enthusiastic clients. Great lad that he is, he pulled me out of the way of traffic. Not steady flowing traffic either, I mean like a speeding car. It was quite the save, and needless to say he's earned more than a free session. This probably won't seem important to most of you, but to me it was testament to the friendship between myself and those I train. More importantly though I feel like it is only right I thank him publicly.
  So guys and girls, if you would ever like to gain a free personal trainer, simply save me.

Oh, and I don't normally walk in to traffic. I promise.

Be inspired! Become inspirational!...

So to the best of my knowledge we only get one stab at life. Why not aim to be the best you can be then? The only thing that scares me (excluding jellyfish), is coming to the end of my days knowing I could have done better. Luckily I have found my passion and doubt such a time will ever come, not whilst im helping you folks prolong your life looking like gods/goddesses.
But for those of you who haven't, well, you just need a gentle kick up the arse. If it is in your control find something which makes you happy and make a job out of it, but remember prostitution is illegal!

Changing your body shape and increasing your health is very much in your control though. Such an easy way to make you happier too! So as I said, be inspired! Everything around you is a piece of free fitness equipment. I personally come up with at least two new exercises a week to add to my database of free exercises. Ask my clients, they'll tell you im mad, after they've told you they work!
So if you see two boxes next to eachother what are you going to do? You're going to do some box press ups that's what! Then you're going to pick one up and do some Russian twists before using it as a benchmark for some plyometric squats! And that's just a box, so think outside of it. Pull ups are everywhere. Even if you do half one three days running, I guarantee the fourth will be a full one, then two, then three...

Here's some quick ideas:

- Lunge up stairs.
- Do 6 press ups before leaving or entering a room.
- Bench your wife.
- Squat with a bag full of junk on your back.
- Curl a new-born child (not recommended trust me).

I could go on forever but I won't. If you can inspire yourself you will be seen as an inspiration. Go for it friends! You will be amazed.

The only difference between you guys and the Olympians which made our country proud, is dedication.

How many opportunities to exercise do you see in the picture?