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FOLLOW THAT COACH . . . If you’ve ever found the hardest part of taking exercise actually putting on the kit and leaving the house, then a personal trainer might be just the motivation you need, as Georgette McCready discovered
REVIEW
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hen it comes to a stark choice of buying a whole set of clothes in a larger size, or losing some inches, the economically sensible thing to do is lose some weight. But, if like me, you’ve singularly failed to control the urge to snack or refrain from the good things in life, like roast potatoes or chocolate brownies, then the only option remaining is to get out there and burn some fat off. A decade ago I was running between 30 and 50 miles a month and taking part – albeit slowly – in half marathons and cross country races. It helped keep my weight down and gave me a great sense of wellbeing. But a few years ago I lost all motivation to run and whenever I attempted a few miles would struggle or end up walking. I was seriously talking about hanging up my running shoes for good when I met a young personal trainer in Bath who didn’t seem the type to shout at people in a way that put me off games at school. Chris Vick’s clientele includes middle aged women like me, keen to lose weight and tone up, along with a selection of seriously fit athletes working to improve their sports performance. If you’ve ever found the hardest part of taking exercise actually putting on the kit and leaving the house, then a personal trainer might work out as a better investment than joining a gym. You can book up for a series of sessions to fit in with your working day – Chris’s first clients meet him at 7am. And because you’ve booked and you know he’ll be waiting for you, you go. The first session is free, just to see how you get on. Chris offers a range of different sessions according to the individual’s need. In my case it was working on my running performance. In the first session I could barely manage to jog for more than 15 minutes and the exercise routine he put me through in a quiet corner of Royal Victoria Park really woke the old muscles up. We talked about goals and I rashly said I’d like to run a 10k race in five weeks’ time. He politely didn’t wince but decided that with a weekly hourlong session with him, plus some homework of runs done on my own, that this was achievable. Friends have asked me how Chris gets me to run faster and it sounds absurdly simple but it is effective. He runs ever so slightly faster than I would like, engages me in conversation and makes encouraging remarks. Within a fortnight I was able to run out along the towpath to The George at Bathampton and back to the Circus without walking any of the route. By the fourth week I was able to run five miles in 55 minutes and Chris was confident that on race day I’d better this performance. So, on Week 5 I took part in the Corsham 10k race. It wasn’t easy and frankly I could have done with Chris running just in front of me as my pace was pretty slow. But, hey, I did it and there were runners younger than me coming in behind me. After only five weeks I’m more toned, clothes fit better and, most importantly, I’m motivated to get out there and run. I’m now seriously contemplating training for a half marathon. Chris has started coaching a weekly mixed ability running group which meets on Thursdays for a 6pm start from outside Fitness First, James St West. Chris Vick, personal trainer, is based in Bath and works with clients in the gym, park or their own homes. Prices start at £30 per person an hour, if you train with a partner or friend, and packages are available. Visit: www.chrisvickpt.co.uk or tel: 07792 719004 to book a free consultation. ■ WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
JUNE 2012 | THEBATHMAGAZINE 75