News – Page 2 – Train With Tess

Back to school … Time to train!

Posted on 26th August 2021 by Tessa Fellows

And just like that… summer holidays are nearly over!

As the children return to school, in real life this time! Life can go back into bit more of a routine. With most of us keeping our health in mind now more than ever, why not use this opportunity to start exercising?

Personal training is proven to be an effective way to not only get the fitness results you want to see, but also help with motivation and adherence to exercise.

Get in touch for a chat and find out more…

Speak soon

Tess x

PRE-NATAL TRAINING – The how, what & why?!

Posted on 6th July 20219th July 2021 by Tessa Fellows

WHAT IS PRE-NATAL PERSONAL TRAINING?

1-1 sessions with a pre-natal specialist to help guide you through your pregnancy

WHO CAN DO IT?

Pre-natal PT is suitable for women in all stages of pregnancy (subject to medical conditions)
For most women,it is completely safe for mother and baby (and even recommended!) to exercise during pregnancy. However, before starting any training, you will need to check with your doctor/midwife in case of any contraindications to exercise.

DID YOU KNOW…EXERCISING DURING YOUR PREGNANCY CAN…

Help avoid excess weight gain which can lead to a high-risk pregnancy as well as increasing your unborn child’s risk of adult obesity
Reduce your risk of gestational diabetes
Boost your immune system and so reducing the chance of illness, for a safer and happier pregnancy (remember you are unable to take MOST mainstream medication when pregnant!)
Help reduce and manage unpleasant pre-natal symptoms such as morning sickness and water retention
Improve your mood, release positive endorphins and reduce depression and anxiety both during and post-pregnancy
Improve sleep quality and energy levels
Be more physically comfortable, able and reduce your risk of injury
Help reduce your likelihood of pregnancy-related medical issues such as lordosis, back pain, pelvic pain, abdominal separation AND help speed up your post-partum recovery

WHY CONSIDER A PERSONAL TRAINER DURING PREGNANCY?

Aside from the numerous benefits we can all get from regular exercise (which still apply if you are pregnant!) Pre-natal training is also beneficial to:

Prepare your body for the demands of pregnancy & labor (core strength, pelvic floor, pregnancy posture, as well as muscular strength and endurance)
Get tailored 1-1 exercise sessions with a pre & post-natal specialist ensuring suitable and safe training for you and your bump!
Get informed about what is going on in your body throughout your pregnancy: Physical changes, hormones, what to expect and when? What does this mean for you? Empower yourself with the knowledge to have your best possible pregnancy
Understand the do’s and don’ts when it comes to exercise and nutrition during pregnancy
Help manage weight gain, symptoms & reduce the likelihood of pregnancy-related medical issues

INTERESTED IN STARTING OR WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Contact Tess at: personaltrainingtess@gmail.com
By phone/message: 07463610016

Mobile, private & studio based pre and post-natal personal training in North London

ARE YOU AGED BETWEEN 19-64?

Posted on 22nd May 2021 by Tessa Fellows

DID YOU KNOW…
The NHS guidelines for 19-64 year olds is “at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity… or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week”.💪

WHY EXERCISE?
From reducing your risk of multiple diseases (including heart disease and some cancers, both of which are in the UK top 3 causes of death!), increasing your life span, improving your fitness (not just cardio or strength, but co-ordination, endurance, flexibility etc…) To the psychological benefits such as reducing depression and increasing confidence. A small amount of exercise can go a long way. There are benefits you might not even be aware of such as help regulating hormones and metabolism, increasing fertility, reducing fatigue, and reducing pain/discomfort. Not convinced? Send me a message to find out more…😎

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH?
Exercise comes in all shapes and sizes. There really is something for everyone – you might just not have found your thing yet. A good personal trainer will find the best exercise fit for you – where ever you fall on the fitness scale.🧘

Stay healthy. Big Love. Tx

Welcome back, world! 🌎

Posted on 12th April 2021 by Tessa Fellows

It’s been a LONG year. I’ll leave that there… But here we are and there is light on the horizon!

Let’s make up for lost time and come back, better, stronger and healthier than ever.

Get in touch for help getting started.

Lots of love and healthy wishes

Tess

2021… Get Fit, Stay Healthy!

Posted on 16th January 2021 by Tessa Fellows

Happy new year everyone! 🥳

Here we are, welcoming in 2021 in a way I am sure none of us thought we would! After what has been a particularly challenging year for many of us, I would like to wish you all a very healthy, happy, and successful year ahead. 🙌

I would love for this to be your fittest, healthiest year yet… I also know that with everything going on, it might feel harder than ever to achieve your fitness goals: COVID restrictions, limited access to equipment/environment/know-how, even the weather! However, it may also never have been so important to focus on your health.

FEAR NOT! 🦸‍♀️ Help is at hand…

How can Personal Training help me?

Motivation – to get started, to exercise, to progress, to stick to it (and maybe even learn to love it😉)
Commitment – pre-booking sessions & having an actual appointment to train, can make all the difference to those of you who find themselves struggling to keep up the good habits!
Expertise – what to do, how to do it, safely, effectively, with a professional
It’s Personal – that means each session is tailored to your needs, your abilities, and your goals, with you in mind all the way. There is no one-size-fits-all with exercise. It’s like the difference between a dress/suit off the rails & a tailor made one…
Flexible to suit your needs – With early, lunchtime, after work & weekend sessions available, it is easy to find a time that suits you. 30 minute & 60 minute sessions. Single or pair sessions. Online, outdoors & studio sessions. There is an option to suit everyone. 💪

Whether you are new to fitness, looking to try something new, struggling with motivation or knowledge, looking to reach a fitness goal, or in need of some exercise options with all of the current restrictions(!) Personal training is an investment in yourself, your health & your future you.🏋️‍♀️

Get in touch now for more information.🤳

Stay safe!

Tess x

PREGNANCY & THE PANDEMIC – Pre & post natal care

Posted on 16th November 2020 by Tessa Fellows

To all you mummas who had to go to appointments & scans on your own due to covid. Who went into labor and had to stay in hospital alone before they were allowed company. Who haven’t been able to see friends and family or introduce their new arrivals in the usual way. Who might not have had the amount of support every new parent needs, due to the restrictions. Just know how truly strong, brave & amazing you are!

This year might not have gone exactly to plan but that doesn’t take anything away from the blessings of your new arrival.

Growing another being inside of your own is incredible! Your body adapts in so many ways to accommodate and support your pregnancy, birth & recovery. Many of us don’t know what’s actually happening inside of our bodies throughout pregnancy. We notice our symptoms and see the physical changes, but how many of you know why these are happening? Or how our body then heals and recovers post-partum?

Understanding exactly how, when, and why your body is changing, is not only reassuring (when, yes that does happen to everyone!) but gives you the power to use that knowledge, to have your best possible prenatal and antenatal experience.

THERE ARE LOADS OF WAYS YOU CAN HELP PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EACH STAGE OF YOUR JOURNEY INTO MOTHERHOOD.

Being a pre and post-natal specialist is more than just helping women exercise before and after having a baby. It is about providing knowledge and support for your all-round well-being. That’s help with managing symptoms, what to/what not to eat and drink, exercise, cores & pelvic floors, do’s and don’ts, tips and advice, what you can be doing to help yourself and your baby along the way & so much more.

Get in touch if you have any questions or would like to know more about Prenatal or Antenatal personal training. Feel free to share with new mums who might need to hear they are doing a great job.

PANDEMIC VS EXERCISE

Posted on 24th September 2020 by Tessa Fellows

Hey hey,

It’s been a while! I hope everyone is keeping as well as possible in this pandemic and all that comes with it. Sending you all healthy, happy vibes.

Wow… what a year 2020 has been …so far *gulp*

With all the changes, many of us are moving less than usual. You might have found yourself eating and/or drinking more out of boredom or stress. Some of us are struggling to feel motivated or struggling to be consistent. IT’S HARD. But with health at the forefront of a lot more of our minds at the moment, I wanted to put together some simple tips to help you all keep fit and healthy in these challenging times.

Here is a little snippet of that, with more to follow soon.

Stay safe.

PANDEMIC VS EXERCISE

We throw a lot of excuses in the way of exercise and I GET IT. During this pandemic many have; lost their daily commute, swapped going shopping for online orders, gyms have been closed, classes cancelled, kids are at home, schedules have gone out the window… Whilst some of us have more time, motivation can be hard, with limited space and/or equipment But the truth is, all of us HAVE time to exercise, we just don’t always choose to make it!

We often hear about the physical benefits of exercise – better body composition, improved cardiovascular fitness, improved immune system, stronger bones and muscles, greater coordination & control to name just a few. We hear less frequently about cognitive and chemical benefits to exercise. Things like more balanced hormones, improved memory and concentration, improved mood, reduced fatigue, reduced stress, depression and anxiety.

We are designed with the ability to move for a reason! Be aware if you are moving less, you might need to adapt your diet to accommodate this and avoid excess weight gain. Try and create excuses to move, even if it is just in your home. Exercise comes in all shapes and sizes and every little helps. Walk. Cycle. Set yourself a daily 1 minute challenge. Exercise isn’t always about ‘getting in shape’, it is about taking care of yourself. Keep yourself fit and healthy, your immune system strong and your mind happy and clear.

This body is the only one you are going to get, take care of it!

Want to know more about the benefits of exercise? Need some motivation? Not sure how to start or what to do? Questions? Drop me a message.

BIG love

Tess x

FAQ’S Training during Pregnancy – Pre natal Q&A

Posted on 4th July 20204th July 2020 by Tessa Fellows

Hi Everyone 🙋‍♀️

As you may have guessed, I am a huge advocate of regular exercise during pregnancy. Both in my work as an exercise professional and from my personal experience speaking woman-to-woman, I’ve been shocked and appalled at how little information there is provided to women, in regards to prenatal training.🤰 Not only this, but we see society question and sometimes even scorn women who are seen to be exercising when visibly pregnant! It is important to be aware of how incredibly beneficial exercise can be to both mother and baby. It’s also no wonder I am asked a lot of questions by my existing and prospective prenatal clients!

Please see below some of the most common questions about prenatal personal training & my responses for your information.

Enjoy!

Q&A

CAN I EXERCISE WHEN I AM PREGNANT?

Yes! For most people it is perfectly safe to exercise during your pregnancy, providing you make the appropriate adaptations. Before you start training you need to speak to doctor, who will advise you if it is not safe to do so for any reason. To keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy, it is important you make sure you understand the do’s and don’ts of exercise during pregnancy. Get in touch to find out more.

IS IT SAFE FOR MY BABY?

Yes! Exercising appropriately is perfectly safe for your baby. As well as keeping you fit and healthy, exercise has also been shown to have health benefits for your baby. E.g. promoting a healthy birth weight – linked to a reduced risk of obesity in later life, lowering babies resting heart rate and improving heart rate variability – associated with improved nervous system control. As a pre and post-natal specialist, I will guide you through how to safely and effectively train throughout the different stages of your pregnancy.

IS THERE ANY TYPE OF EXERCISES I SHOULD AVOID?

Yes. There are a couple of things you should actually avoid completely whilst training pregnant. For example, after your first trimester you should avoid exercising in the supine position (lying flat on your back) as this can increase the risk of supine hypotensive syndrome. It is certainly important to be aware of the changes occurring in your body throughout your pregnancy and how this might affect you exercising. Exercises to avoid/adapt will vary person to person, pregnancy to pregnancy, depending on your specific symptoms. An experienced pre and post-natal personal trainer will effectively adapt your training to keep you and your baby safe, healthy and strong, throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER TRAINING DURING MY PREGNANCY?

Pregnancy is an incredible journey. Part of this required your body to undergo a lot of changes! The fitter and healthier you are, the better your body is able to adapt to these demands. Training during your pregnancy and beyond, has been shown to improve pregnancy symptoms, labor & recovery. There are SO many ways exercise can benefit mother and baby. See below a list of just a few of these and get in touch for more.

– Improves/maintains fitness, muscle strength and tone

– Helps maintain healthy pregnancy weight for mother and birth weight for baby

– Strengthens core muscles and pelvic floor muscles for carrying and delivering your baby

– Focusing on postural muscles can help prevent common pregnancy symptoms like lordosis

– Helps reduce other pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, sleep quality, physical discomfort due to tight/weakened muscles etc…

– Women who exercise when pregnant have been shown to have reduced labor time and quicker recovery post birth

– Helps prevent unpleasant post-partum symptoms such as incontinence, prolapse etc…

– Helps aid and speed up your body’s transition back to its post-pregnancy state

As a pre & post-natal personal training specialist, my aim is to help you gain all the amazing benefits that come from exercising throughout your journey into motherhood.

Why use a Personal Trainer?

Posted on 1st July 20201st July 2020 by Tessa Fellows

Not sure if a PT is for you? See some common reasons people use a personal trainer below…

MOTIVATION – Do you want to be fitter and healthier, but struggle to find something you will actually commit to? Maybe you haven’t enjoyed exercising in the past or find yourself slipping in and out of routines. The good news is exercise is so incredibly diverse, there really is something for everyone! A good trainer will adapt each session to each clients’ abilities, preferences and goals – so you get the most out of your training both physically & mentally. My job, in part, is to inspire you even on your hardest days. Energy is infectious.

CONSISTENCY – It is key to getting the most benefits from your training. Having a scheduled appointment to exercise has been proven to improve adherence. This allows you to make training a part of your normal routine meaning you don’t have to keep on trying to make time for it. It also gives that extra bit of motivation on those days where we are feeling less than ourselves. Having a regular slot helps with commitment, but make no mistake… whether you’re training every day or once a week, you’ll never have the same session twice – that way you’ll also never know what’s coming!

TIME – Most of us lead busy lives & finding time to exercise can seem like a task in itself. However, I believe everyone can and should find the time to invest in their wellbeing. Exercise has many scientifically proven benefits both physically and mentally such as: fat loss, improved muscle tone, more efficient circulatory system, improved sleep quality, reduced stress/cortisol levels, increased metabolism, improved co-ordination, reduced risk of heart diseases/strokes, reduction in osteoarthritis symptoms and so much more. Everyone deserves at least an hour a week to commit to keeping themselves fit and healthy. I offer sessions in multiple locations, including home visits & online sessions, ranging from 30mins – 60mins per session.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE – Not sure where to start? Not sure how to reach your goals? Not sure if you’re doing it right or concerned you might do more damage than good? Working with an experienced, knowledgeable trainer means your sessions will be appropriate for your ability and goals & gives you the reassurance to know you are exercising safely.

TRAINING EFFECTIVELY FOR YOUR GOALS – Whether it is weight loss, toning up, building muscle, rehab, getting in shape for an event, preparing for a race or competition or just generally improving your fitness! Working with a personal trainer who will tailor your sessions to make them most effective for you, means you get the most out of your exercise time. Giving you optimal training, for better results.

INJURIES / MEDICAL CONDITIONS – For those with niggles, old injuries or minor medical conditions. Providing your doctor is happy for you to start exercising, working with an experienced PT is a great way to get fit and strong, safely. Training appropriately and building a trusting relationship with yourself and your trainer means nothing should hold you back from your fitness goals.

Get in touch now for more information / availability

Welcome to Train with Tess

Posted on 26th June 201830th June 2020 by currant

Hi There and Welcome to Train with Tess!

I’m Tess, an experienced Personal Trainer based in and around North London. I am very lucky to have a vocation that I am not only passionate about, but also one with SO much information (and mis-information!) to share and discuss. In my coming posts I will be sharing advice and information on all kind of things fitness related so stay tuned… But before we get into the nitty gritty, I thought I would share 10 random facts so you can get to know me a bit better!

Before I was a PT full time, I worked as an Event Manager organising all kinds of events all over the world.
I once did a skydive from 13,000ft for charity.
My favourite academic subject at school was Biology – because appreciating just how complex your body is and understanding how it works is incredible!
2 Other members of my immediate family are also Personal Trainers!
I have walked along the longest suspension bridge in the Indian Ocean.
I accidentally fell off a treadmill once when trying to turn around and look at something…
My flexibility is better now than it ever was as a child or teenager!
I always wanted a dog who would pretend to die if you pretended to shoot them (Toy Story has a lot to answer for)… I am pleased to say I now have a dog who does this. Life Goals!
I am always unnecessarily cold… and have been known to train in a coat!
My favourite: Number is 2. Colour is yellow. Chocolate is Dairy milk or Milky bar.

Personal training to me is more than just getting you to your fitness & body goals. It is about using my knowledge to help you become a master of your own body. It is using creativity, keeping sessions interesting and challenging to help you build a lasting relationship with fitness. It is using my passion to motivate you even on the hardest of days. I love watching my clients transform as they enjoy the many benefits of exercise – not just the physical! I work with male & female clients of all ages and abilities. 30min – 60min sessions in a private studio gym/mobile training. Specialising in fat loss, body sculpting, goal training & pre and post-natal training – Get in touch today to find out more and start your journey to a healthier self.

Your body is the only thing you have to live in – look after it!