Personal Training
A Flexible Tailored Approach For A More Fit, Fun & Active Lifestyle

Personal Training Testimonials...

Why I LOVE WOW... by Cath Emery.  I started WOW (Women On Weights) with Neal back in October 2009, and my main motivation was for health and to kick-start my metabolism after a long period of exhaustion.  Over my period of recuperation I had increased by two dress sizes and this was mostly down to prescribed drugs and battling with Chronic Fatigue, and it probably took me three months to drop wine from my diet too!!!  Previously, I had been like most people today - a supercharged stressed business woman and mum - and although my job was incredibly physical, I had lost all physical strength but my mind and determination was still incredibly strong although my body was flatly refusing to participate in any activity.  This was immensely frustrating. However Neal has helped me work through it as he is so motivational, supportive and encouraging, and I have recently joined the 'KettleBell 100 club' with one of my workout buddies Sally.  This is a challenging set of moves with the KettleBells and when Neal first talked us through it I was so excited about this challenge and knew we could achieve it - AND WE DID!!!   Over the months I have worked my way up from a 4kg weight to a 12kg weight, my body shape has changed and is more defined, I have nearly dropped two dress sizes, I feel 100% better about my body, I have improved my golf game no end and have lost 5kg in body weight.  Working out with KettleBells has also increased my energy, strength, balance and co-ordination, and above all, and like most FitHaven classes it is challenging and FUN.   And as for that word 'Can’t' you really need to experience it for yourself before you will know whether or not your own body and mind CAN DO IT!!!!  Take a step in the right direction and sign up for Neal’s NEW KettleBell Workshops starting in September and join in one of those 'life changing experiences' you need to grant yourself.  Much love to Neal and the Bells... Cath Emery xxx  (Cath, pictured above, in the middle, at a WOW session with Carol, left and Sally, right)

Women On Weights! by Pat Brooks...  Well past my allotted three score years and ten, aching when rising from my bed each morning and painfully descending the stairs to make that first cuppa, I decided enough was enough and knowing that Neal had started classes - Women on Weights - thought why not have a go!    This was back in October 2009 and since then I have learned how to lift and exercise with dumbbells, kettlebells and medicine balls with Neal ensuring that they get heavier and heavier, improve balance on practice balls and generally undertake exercises I never dreamed possible.  I feel a whole lot fitter and am gradually reducing the 'bingo wings' on my arms and the 'spare tyre' around my middle.  And most importantly, I positively run up and down the stairs, even early in the morning.    Looks as though I will not be needing that Stannah stair lift just yet!!  (Pat pictured above, at a WOW session, in the middle with here WOW friends, Marie and Irene.)

Tom Smith As a middle-aged small business owner who spends too much time at a computer and as an overweight sailor who found it increasingly difficult to get back in the boat it was definitely time to try and get fit! The problem, as always, is time and motivation. I actually used to be quite fit and was a very active sportsman at University but, as have so many, I when tried to exercise on my own I always seemed to have an excuse why I couldn’t afford the time to carry on. I started PT classes with Neal in the Autumn of 2009 and have enjoyed (almost!) every minute of it. Neal is a great trainer, balancing realistic goals with plenty of motivation and an unfailingly cheerful approach. Most of my sessions have been done in a well equipped and convenient environment, and for variety, miles of beautiful countryside on the doorstep to use when the weather is good. The structure of the sessions is such there is no chance to lose enthusiasm, and finishing each with a decent cardio-vascular workout leaves me feeling, as Neal puts it “exhausted in a good way”. I attend two one-hour PT sessions a week (which forces me to get out of the office) which is just about right. The variety of exercises, sometimes general, sometimes working on a specific set of muscle groups means nothing is over-stretched and nothing aches too much to prevent a good workout at the next session, and using a variety of equipment keeps the interest up and the potential boredom down. Healthy, but not over-emphasised, competitions between regular attendees and the displaying of short, medium and long terms goals (OK I’ve got to work on those) and the discipline of filling out exercise and food diaries really makes a difference. Instead of making excuses not to bother, I now positively look forward to each session. Having family and friends comment on the difference in my appearance and fitness helps too! There is absolutely no doubt I couldn’t have done it without Neal’s encouragement and support. One-to-one sessions just suit the way I work and mean that tailored workouts feel just that – tailored to me, my goals and to address my weaknesses – I just couldn’t have got that in a large gym environment. I feel much fitter (in fact better than for many many years), I’m much stronger where I want to be , my core muscles transformed (although there is still a way to go) and I can (and want to) do exercises at home – even like press-ups and sit-ups - that I haven’t done since I left University (which as my kids would tell you was shortly after the dinosaurs). I’ve lost a stone and a half (more to go), and I’ve even had to buy new trousers!     Thank you Neal.

Steve Clark Having been quite fit and fond of the outdoors through my teens and early 20’s,  life on the road driving many miles, and lately, sitting on aeroplanes, and dining out regularly late at night had gradually taken it’s toll.  I could breath in no longer! Two years ago, I tried to join a Gym, but was referred to my GP because of high blood pressure. I got the OK from the GP to join, and did enjoy the first few sessions, but the random nature of my job served up the normal excuse – “I just don’t have the time.”  Meanwhile, my wife Jilly had been going to various classes with Mel at Fithaven, and over the last 3 years, has lost around 3 stone, toned up, and is looking great. Last year, Jilly asked me to go Nordic walking with her, which I refused because I thought I would look ridiculous!  Jilly persisted, and I finally joined in January this year. Not only did it feel good to get out again, I met a great bunch of people, and after only a few weeks, enjoyed the best skiing holiday I could remember. My previous preparation for skiing was normally limited to packing, and getting my boots down from the loft. In April, I started walking on a Wednesday evening, and decided to sign up for some personal training sessions with Neal. After 6 sessions, I felt great, but couldn’t see much difference in terms of BMI. Blood pressure was a little improved, but not near enough.  A review of the food diary made it clear that treating myself to a KFC or a Big Mac meal as a reward for exercise was not helping the cause! So, time to get serious, and set some goals. I wanted to lower my BMI to 28 (from 32 – that’s well into the obese zone) and lower my blood pressure, without the aid of drugs, into the normal zone.  First to go was the junk food, in with the fruit and green vegetables, and lots of them. No low calorie chocolate treats, or other “crutches”. Neal has some great information about nutrition, which I used to the full.   I am very short-term goal driven, so I invested in some of those fancy scales that Neal uses in his studio. These give a good guide to body fat, skeletal muscle, and visceral fat, the dangerous stuff that collects around your organs. I also got a heart rate monitor.  Next was to step up the exercise. I had already found a nice walk in Sawtry through Aversely woods, which I shortened to just under 4 miles, so I could get round in an hour. I set a goal to do at least 5 lots of exercise per week, to see if that made a significant difference. I carried on with the food diary, and started the new regime on August 9th. It is incredible how quickly things improve when you get the right encouragement and take full responsibility for yourself. If you like statistics, then here are the numbers: It took 14 weeks to reach my BMI goal of 28 (that represents over 30 lbs in weight loss)... Body fat is down by 25% to just over 20... Muscle is up by 12% ... Visceral fat has fallen by 27%... I have lost 5 inches off my waist... I can now run for the first time since I was at school... No matter how fast I try to Nordic walk, my heart rate stays below 100 on the flat, (good job we now have the Nordic walking challenge!)... Oh yes, and I almost forgot, my blood pressure is now close to normal... So a huge thank you to Mel and Neal for their encouragement, enthusiasm and expertise. I have just been lucky enough to be given a beautiful grandson; I can now plan to watch him grow up!  Steve Clark, 3/12/2009

Rosemary Petts "What are those people walking round and round the field with those funny poles (similar to ski poles)? I was asked this by a rather staid and elderly couple who were walking their dog, and when I replied that we were practising Nordic Walking they looked at me in amazement and made it very obvious that they thought I was quite crazy. You might well ask what Nordic poles are and what Nordic Walking is. Well, it is a form of walking with special poles to help you balance better and also improve your posture. I went to a Parkinson’s meeting in Ramsey and the speaker for the afternoon was a very handsome and highly qualified fitness trainer called Neil. My heart sank, oh dear is he going to make us do some weird and wonderful exercises? But no, he showed us these Nordic poles and demonstrated how to use them and explained the benefits and potential difference they could make to our mobility. He then offered to let any one have a go. Being a bit of a dare devil and ready to try anything once I volunteered! Wow, I could immediately feel the difference in my posture and my mobility so I duly joined his class at Buckden the following week and have now been for many sessions now and have even bought my own set of poles. Everyone has commented on the improvement in my posture and walking from only being able to creep from my front door to the car I am now walking 1KM. There is no one pushing you to do a specific time or length you go at your own pace and we all have a good laugh and it is great fun too.  I would recommend Nordic Walking to anyone however bad your mobility or effects of Parkinson’s to come and have a go - the results are terrific!

Emyr Pryce “I was recommended FitHaven by a friend when I decided I had to lose weight and get fit. Very nervous having never worked with a fitness instructor I met Neal, had my induction and ten sessions later have lost 2 stone in weight and quite a lot of body fat. I have to say it has been very hard, but the rewards and goal are the driving force. Neal is fantastic, he will help, motivate, join in and most importantly, has an excellent sense of humour, even at times if the joke is on me. Sadly my ten session's are about to come to an end next week, but the good news I'm going to continue working with Neal at FitHaven. Remember it's never easy, but you will be rewarded with a lot of hard work and dedication, and I'm sure like me, you will find Neal an excellent training partner.”

Maggie Gambrill I've been very focused to reach and maintain a level of fitness to prepare for this years British Transplant Games and World Transplant Games and have been working hard with Neal in regular Personal Training sessions. Having had a heart transplant in October 2002, Neal has worked with me to build up my stamina and muscle strength and it's clearly paying dividends! I've been Nordic walking, jogging, weight training and have overcome my fear of the treadmill. It's been hard at times but there's no gain without the pain!  The competition will be tough but I'll give it my best shot and make sure we enjoy every moment along the way whilst spreading the message of the need for more organ donation in the UK and across the World. Without the gift from my donor, I would not be talking to you now.  For more information on transplant sport and organ donation check out www.transplantsport.org.uk

Sandie Roulette "I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease two years ago just after my 57th birthday.  One of my hobbies was walking with a group of friends.  We had completed three 26 mile walks and were contemplating a two day 40 mile walk when I developed a noticeable heavy limp and "strange gait" (amongst other symptoms.)  The diagnosis of Parkinson's followed soon afterwards and walking became more and more difficult.  By Christmas 2008 I was almost housebound due to balance problems and weak and wobbly legs. A friend recommended Neal and FitHaven Nordic Walking.  It took a while to get arms and legs working in co-ordination, rather longer to build confidence that the thin, strange shape poles would support me, and a little longer to build up strength in my legs.  Today after only a few sessions, and two years since diagnosis, I walked nearly two miles with Neal.  Its not far compared with 26 miles, but it's not the distance that counts - it's just being out there with birds in the trees, ducks on the lake, two little multicoloured goats in a field, and the sheer joy of being able to walk again - supported both by the Nordic Walking Poles and by Neal's ongoing and relentless encouragement."

Anne McCormick "I really have enjoyed my PT sessions with Neal (despite the 6.30am starts!!) and I do feel far much better and certainly Tuesdays are much more energetic as a result of the early morning workout – I especially enjoyed the one session we had outside!  Having reflected on the weight issue (of which I think the wedding excesses at the weekend were certainly reflected!!) I think I fell into the trap of thinking that I was exercising more so could indulge more!!  Hence my commitment now to watch the eating more thoroughly as well as maintain the exercise.  I am very pleased about the belly button measurement – as this is the area I wanted to really see improve – so a result there! The advantage of having a 1:1 PT session is that you feel your needs are really focussed on. The combination of challenge, motivation and sheer hard work (!) result in a sense of wellbeing at the end – not just because it is over but that you come away feeling energised and toned.  My sessions being early in the morning had a profound effect on my wellbeing for the day as I often reflected on how well I felt and how much more I was able to achieve. In my work – stamina is vital – and my PT sessions with Neal really supported this.  Neal’s approach is encouragement yet challenge, demonstration and support in an environment that is tailor made.  Thank you Neal – a great 6 weeks."