When I first joined the gym, I was pretty unfit. A very sedentary job and a few injuries had left me with a weak lower back and increasing weakness in my legs, from too much sitting. My biomechanics were not good for the same reasons. I had done physiotherapy, but I’d never been a “gym person”. But I was tired of how things were, and I was determined to change my weight, fitness and motivation and to turn these things around.

I was hopeless on lots of the equipment when I first joined. I was a bit nervous of the gym and the equipment, and of my ability, and at first only had the fitness level to work for a few minutes on each piece of equipment. But with Pauline’s coaching and encouragement, I’ve improved in so many ways. My self confidence and motivation, which had taken a bit of a knock, have improved out of sight. When I first started, I could only manage 5 or 10 minutes on the bike at a low level, and the cross trainer was out of the question. Due to a leg injury, I was nervous of the treadmill so avoided that one – I kept visualising myself sliding backwards off it! My workouts would last about 20 to 30 minutes.

Now, I am quite changed. I can come in and work out for far longer – first 20 minutes at increasingly harder levels on the bike. Then work out on the treadmill or the arc trainer increasing my speed as I gain confidence. Then I do my workout, and finish up with 20 minutes on the cross trainer, increasing the levels as I improve. From the 20 to 30 minutes work out I started with, I can now work out for about two hours.

The difference the gym and coaching has made to me is enormous. I’m confident and motivated, and fitter than I’ve been in ages. I’m also energised and my mind is much more alert from being fitter. I’m moving better, and the weakness from working in a sedentary job has gone. In particular, my back is stronger, and my legs are strong. I’ve lost a lot of centimetres, and the programmes Pauline has had me doing have started to increase the strength in my injured leg, so that I don’t walk with too much pressure on the “good” leg. This helps my back as well as my legs, and has been great – biomechanically, I’m far stronger than I was.

I am the first to say I haven’t been Pauline’s star pupil when it comes to weight loss – but I have changed my eating habits significantly and continue to do so. Pauline keeps me motivated and on the right track there. Also, Pauline has always seemed to know what I need, both in terms of encouragement and motivation, and in what I need to work on in terms of fitness. I’ve had a few bouts of illness and she has always been very particular in how I return to the gym and what I work on.

I enjoy the gym because it has a membership which is a mixture of ages and abilities. I like the fact that there is always a consciousness by the gym and staff to be as environmentally friendly as possible, while maintaining the high levels of hygiene necessary in a gym. This is reflected in responsive methods to cleaning equipment, and so on.

All up, both the gym and private coaching have done wonders for me. The staff at the gym are all friendly and encouraging, and cheer me, and others, on. I notice this particularly if I feel as though I’m not getting anywhere and it’s great. The staff always have a ready smile and a greeting, something I really appreciate. I wouldn’t be where I am without them all. Thanks, Pauline, thanks, guys.