It’s that time of year again when that awful cliché ‘New Year, New You’ stares at you like the eyes of divinity from all surfaces of advertising. Part of this always involves some form of fitness overdrive, Special K discounts and ‘3 for 2’s on Marks and Spencer ‘Count on Us’ ready meals, if you’re willing to overlook the irony of eating microwaved food for health purposes. January is a fairly dismal month – savings ravaged from Christmas, no more sparkly decorations enveloping the streets, it’s cold and dark with less alcohol to provide that inner warmth and the last thing you need is an overcrowded gym with newcomers squabbling with the regulars over ‘your’ bike in the spin class. An obvious solution? A personal trainer. Now I don’t do New Year resolutions and my expressions of adoration are not the early motivations of 2013 producing disillusion. My experiences are thorough, regularly tried and tested methods; and for everyone else now is more than a perfect time to start. My training with Sam Reeves at Personal 121 Trainer started back in June 2012 when I was still recovering from the trauma of the threatened mobility resulting from revision and exams. He approached me as I puffed my way on the treadmill; and because I was euphoric for the start of the summer holidays and a lovely person who rarely said ‘no’, I agreed on that initial session. To be honest I was skeptical before that session – I was a regular exerciser and was part of that crowd who believed weights equaled Madonna biceps. However that first session really opened my eyes and pores. We did an hour of circuit training type exercises that worked the entire body and heart and even with years of cardio behind me, I was ready to collapse! Afterwards I agreed on a 10 session package with Sam which, if you know me, is a massive deal, as this meant I had to save on those new dresses. That bag! Less trips to The Botanist for drinks! I thought that maybe my insanity from exams were leaking into other aspects of my life. I had two sessions per week with Sam, each session divided into lower body and upper body with circuit training and boxing thrown in spontaneously. Sam mixed up the sessions each week which meant I was never bored of doing the same exercise as I had been before when I was training on my own, and contrary to my beliefs, working with weights did not see me blossoming into the next incredible Hulk. Importantly however, Sam’s personality as a personal trainer was legendary. Gentle while motivating, attentive and so funny I forgot I was undergoing physical torture. Exaggerating I am not when I say I looked forward to my sessions; I even refused offers of date nights when I was booked in the next morning. Within a time period that felt like a blink, Sam was saying I had two sessions of my package left, with a blink I renewed. I could see my core strength increasing, I was no longer collapsing flat on my face doing push ups, and when university started again, I fitted the sessions in when I could, jetting down to London with dedication. I was shocked when I even found myself in the gym, ‘merry’ after a few cocktails. Of course that time I was gently sent back on my way home. Of course it’s not all jolly. I have movement problems for days after a session on legs and am misconstrued as a moody female with hormonal problems after an abs session, laughing and scowling from the consequential pain at the same time, but I welcome this as positive pain. As I am made to do walking lunges there is a sign on the gym wall that always stares back at me: “ I Love My Personal Trainer; I Hate My Personal Trainer; I Love My Personal Trainer; I Hate My Personal Trainer”. Although those many Louboutins I could buy instead disagree wholeheartedly; I recommend the addiction to personal training. Personal 121 Trainer provides individual and group fitness training with top quality instructors in homes, gyms and local parks across London and the UK. With training and packages geared to suit each individual’s goals and desires, wherever you are, Personal 121 Trainer is perfect for that Jet Setting lifestyle! www.personal121trainer.co.uk @p121trainer | Maristella Lee is a student at Cambridge University. She enjoys escaping reality through literature, running, ballet and a cocktail at a nice bar near her home in Chelsea. |