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Getting Back on Track

As January fades into February, many of us find ourselves grappling with a familiar struggle: the decline of New Year’s resolutions. The initial burst of enthusiasm and motivation that accompanies the start of a new year often dissipates as the realities of everyday life set in. The kids are off school again, your work load picks up, the weather is dismal and dark and you would just rather stay at home with a hot chocolate rather than go out and perform some physical activity after work, or hit the snooze button in the morning and lay in a little longer.

So, why does this happen? More often than not, it boils down to a lack of structure and guidance. Many individuals embark on their fitness journey with lofty ambitions but without a clear plan of action. Without proper guidance, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or lose sight of our goals when faced with obstacles or setbacks.

As someone who understands this struggle all too well, particularly amidst the dark nights and gloomy weather of the UK, I’ve come to realise the importance of having a solid foundation to lean on. For me, that foundation consists of exercise, good nutrition, and a well-defined plan of action.

At Soma Fitness, we recognise that achieving your fitness goals requires more than just showing up to the gym. That’s why we offer comprehensive support tailored to your individual needs. Our approach goes beyond 1-1 training sessions; we provide structured nutrition plans, personalised training programs, and ongoing accountability through our dedicated app.

With our guidance, you’ll not only receive expert coaching during your gym sessions but also gain the knowledge and tools necessary to continue your progress outside of our facility. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall fitness, we’re here to provide the support and guidance you need to succeed.

Don’t let the January/February blues derail your fitness journey. Take control of your goals and invest in the structure and guidance you need to succeed. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges and celebrate the victories, one step at a time.

Ready to reclaim your motivation and crush your fitness goals? Join us at Soma Fitness, where we’re committed to helping you thrive, both inside and outside of the gym. Schedule your free consultation today and let’s embark on this journey together.

 

FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION | OPEN DAY SAT 3RD FEB

“Join us on Sat, 3rd Feb for our Open Day at Soma Fitness! Book your spot now for a FREE personal training session with our expert coaches. Experience the excellence of our professional services and discover our top-notch private facility. Limited slots available – don’t miss out!

FREE TASTER PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION

Ready to kickstart your fitness journey? Soma Fitness invites you to our exclusive Open Day on Saturday, 13th January! Experience the services of our personal training with our professional coaches who are dedicated to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

✨ Complimentary Taster Session

✨ Expert Guidance from Professional Coaches

✨ Tailored Workouts for YOUR Goals

✨ State-of-the-Art Private Gym

✨ LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE! 

Ready to take the first step towards a stronger, healthier you? Act fast and secure your FREE Taster Session TODAY!

📆 Date: Saturday, 13th January

⏰ Time: BOOKINGS ONLY

Contact us to book your free taster session.

New Year’s Resolutions Hype: The Soma Fitness Approach to Long-Term Success

As the calendar turns to January, the air is filled with resolutions and promises of a fresh start. Gyms are bustling with enthusiastic individuals, eager to transform their bodies and lifestyles. However, at Soma Fitness, we understand the pitfalls of the typical New Year’s resolution mindset and advocate for a more sustainable approach to fitness.

 

The January Hype:

It’s no secret that January sees a surge in gym attendance as people embark on their New Year’s resolutions. The motivation is high, but unfortunately, it often proves to be short-lived. The initial burst of enthusiasm tends to fade, leaving many individuals discouraged and back to their old habits by February.

 

Understanding the Psychology:

At Soma Fitness, we believe it’s crucial to delve into the psychology behind resolutions. Setting ambitious goals without a clear plan can lead to frustration and disappointment. Rather than succumbing to the temporary January motivation, we encourage our clients to outline their goals and understand the steps required for long-term success.

 

Consistency is Key:

While the hype of January can be motivating, it’s consistency that truly yields results. Training intensely five times a week for a month might provide initial gains, but it’s the sustained effort of 2-3 sessions per week throughout an entire year that leads to lasting transformations. Our philosophy emphasises the importance of building a fitness routine that aligns with your lifestyle and can be maintained over the long term.

 

Lifestyle Changes and Personalisation:

Achieving fitness goals often necessitates lifestyle changes. At Soma Fitness, our personal trainers work closely with clients to outline the journey toward their objectives. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all, and our trainers tailor programs to suit individual needs, considering factors such as fitness level, preferences, and time constraints.

 

Structure and Guidance:

Embarking on a fitness journey without structure is like stepping into an unknown land with no maps, you would have to navigate a whole city to find out where everything is you will likely get lost a few times and perhaps your walk into the wrong neighbourhood and get robbed. To ensure our clients stay on course, we provide the necessary structure and guidance needed for success. Whether you prefer face-to-face coaching or our newly introduced online coaching with a unique app, Soma Fitness is committed to offering a personalised experience.

 

Introducing Online Coaching:

Recognising the need for flexibility and convenience, we now offer online coaching through our exclusive app. This service extends to both our face-to-face clients and those seeking a digital approach. With Soma Fitness, you can access expert guidance, personalised workout plans, and nutritional advice from the comfort of your home or wherever your journey takes you.

 

As the excitement of January resolutions subsides, the team at Soma Fitness encourages you to shift your focus from short-term goals to sustainable, long-term success. Consistency, personalisation, and guidance are the cornerstones of our approach.

 

Whether you choose face-to-face coaching or our online services, we are here to support you on your fitness journey. Reach out to us, and let’s outline a path to success together.

 

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2024!

Merry Christmas

As the holiday season approaches, our Personal Trainers at Soma Fitness extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your continued support. We are honoured to be a part of your fitness journey.

From our entire team at Soma Fitness, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May your homes be filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments with loved ones.

Thank you for being a part of the Soma Fitness family.

We look forward to continuing our journey together in 2024 and beyond.

With heartfelt gratitude,

 

The Soma Team

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training: The Science-Backed Benefits

If you have been training at Soma Fitness lately you will notice that your personal trainers might have strapped up your arms or legs and taken your through the BFR protocol, it’s a burner and your muscles feel pumped to the max. Today we are going to take a dive into the benefits of BFR training.

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a unique and effective method of strength training that has been gaining popularity in recent years. BFR involves restricting blood flow to a limb during exercise, which creates a metabolic stress that stimulates muscle growth.

The scientific research behind BFR is compelling. Studies have shown that BFR can lead to significant increases in muscle size and strength, even when using low loads. In fact, one study found that BFR training with 20% of 1RM was just as effective as traditional training with 80% of 1RM for increasing muscle mass.

Another study showed that BFR training increases:

  • Growth Hormone
  • IGF-1
  • Testosterone levels

How does BFR work?

When blood flow is restricted to a limb, it creates a build up of metabolites such as lactic acid and hydrogen ions. These metabolites create a stressful environment for muscle cells, which signals them to grow. Additionally, BFR training appears to increase the production of growth hormone, which is a key hormone for muscle growth.

Benefits of BFR training

  • Increased muscle size and strength
  • Reduced training time
  • Reduced joint stress
  • Improved rehabilitation
  • Enhanced athletic performance

My experience with BFR training

I have been using BFR training in my own training for the past year, and I have been very impressed with the results. I got introduced to BFR training by top Physio’s Mike Spanou who has used it a lot with premier league football players within their rehab protocol.

I personally have been able to gain muscle and strength while using much lower loads than I would normally use. This has been a major benefit for me, as I have a history of joint pain from old injuries which means I cannot use heavier loads pain free on some movements, I have been able to scale my loads and increase them gradually with the help of BFR.

I have also been using BFR training with my personal training clients, and they have also seen great results. In particular, I have found that BFR training is a great way to help clients who are recovering from injuries or just to spice things up and get a serious arm pump.

If you are looking for a way to improve your muscle size, strength, or athletic performance, then BFR training is a great option. BFR is a safe and effective method of training that can be used by people of all fitness levels.

5 Common Obstacles Stopping You From Achieving Your Fitness and Health Goals

 

As a personal trainer, I’ve helped hundreds of people achieve their fitness and health goals. I’ve also seen first hand what can psychologically stop people from reaching their goals. Here are the top 5 things that I see holding people back:

 

  1. Quitting too easily. This is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving any goal. When you start a new fitness program, it’s important to be patient and persistent. You are likely learning new skills and habits which can take a duration of time to adjust to. Don’t give up if you don’t see results immediately. It takes time and effort to make lasting changes. Just like safe investing it takes time and patience to see your investments grow.
  2. Not valuing your health enough. Many people don’t make their health a priority. They put it off until they have a health scare, but by then it may be too late. Make your health a priority today and you’ll be glad you did later. You can buy all the material items in the world but we cannot buy our health, it’s priceless and it’s important that we value it and place it at the top of our priority.
  3. Fear of failure. Everyone fails at some point. It’s how we learn and grow. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back from achieving your fitness goals. Just pick yourself up and keep going. As a personal trainer it’s our job to identify the areas that may make us stumble and come up with a strategy together to negate that from occurring in the future. Health and fitness is a journey that no man or woman should a shy away from.
  4. Not having enough time. This is a common excuse, but it’s not always true. You can find time for fitness if you make it a priority. There are many ways to fit exercise into your busy schedule. Organising your diary to fit in some exercise each week, treating each training session like an important non negotiable meeting. The best time for you to train is when you can fit it into your diary weather it’s early mornings, on your lunch break or in the evenings after work, get it done!
  5. Not being able to give up on bad habits. This is a tough one, but it’s essential if you want to achieve your fitness goals. Bad habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and eating unhealthy foods can sabotage your progress. Make a plan to break these habits and stick to it. Breaking a habit can be hard but it’s not impossible. We’ve seen many individuals break lifelong addictions for the benefit of their long term health. There is a saying that one of our clients has up on his gym wall; “Hard Choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.” Everything we do will take some effort but need to put our effort and energy into areas that will elevate our health and well being.

 

If you’re struggling to achieve your fitness and health goals, the most important thing to do is to not give up. Identify the obstacles that are holding you back write them down and actively start working on steps on how you can overcome them. Our personal trainers here at Soma can help guide you through this.

 

Here are some additional tips for overcoming the obstacles to fitness and health:

  • Set realistic goals. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with small, achievable goals and gradually build up from there.
  • Find a support system. Having people to support you on your journey can make a big difference. Find a workout buddy, hire a personal trainer, join a fitness class, or talk to your friends and family about your goals. Strength in numbers!
  • Make it fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, you’re less likely to stick with it. Find activities that you enjoy and that challenge you.
  • Don’t give up. There will be setbacks along the way, this is part of the process, don’t let them discourage you. Just pick yourself up and keep going.

 

Achieving your fitness and health goals takes time, effort, and dedication. But it’s worth it. When you are actively taking steps toward your goals, you’ll feel better physically and mentally. You’ll have more energy, you’ll sleep better, and you’ll be more confident. So don’t give up on your goals don’t wait till tomorrow start now!!!

 

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Our Expectations From Our Coaching Clients

Speaking on behalf of all professional personal trainers, we become personal trainers because we are dedicated to guiding individuals towards their goal. Nothing gives us a more rewarding feeling than seeing someone change in their health, habits and body. I believe it’s essential for both client and coach to have a clear understanding of what we can expect from each other. This article aims to illuminate what I, as a personal trainer, anticipate from you as my valued client, and what you can anticipate from me as a coach in return.

 

What I Expect From You, My Valued Client:

 

  1. Wholehearted Commitment: Just as I’m invested in tailoring a fitness plan that suits your needs, I expect you to be wholeheartedly committed to the journey. Your consistent presence during sessions and your dedication to putting in the required effort are crucial for achieving your goals.
  2. Transparent Communication: Your fitness journey is a collaborative effort, and open communication is at its so important. Share your fitness history, preferences, and any concerns openly with me. This information helps me create a plan that’s not only effective but also aligned with your capabilities as an individual and goals. This also allows me to adjust anything along the way.
  3. Eagerness to Learn: Fitness isn’t just about getting a good workout in; it’s about understanding the principles behind each exercise, learning about proper form, each exercise is a skill and grasping the significance of nutrition. Your willingness to learn gives you the knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
  4. Trust in the Process: Sometimes the journey might not seem straightforward, and results may not be immediate. I urge you to trust in the process and the plan we’ve crafted. With dedication and consistency, you will see progress and positive changes over time.
  5. Dedication and Perseverance: We design workouts to challenge you, to help you discover your strengths, and to push your limits. I expect you to give your best effort during our sessions and to persevere even when facing tough moments. Your commitment directly influences your progress. Some days you won’t feel like training, and that’s ok I have those days also, you can still come in and do your best just let your coach know the status on how you are feeling.

What You Can Expect From us as Your Personal Trainer:

  1. Personalised Guidance: Your goals and you are unique, and so should be your fitness plan. We will provide you with personalised guidance that takes into account your goals, fitness level based on an assessment that we have taken you through, and any limitations you might have. Any professional coach worth his salt will never throw a cookie cutter program at a client. A professional coach will assess first then design a program and a strategy tailored toward you as an individual.  
  2. Support system: You coach is here to encourage you, celebrate your successes, guide you and to provide a support system during the more challenging times. Your victories are mine as well, and I’m committed to helping you stay inspired throughout your journey. There’s nothing more that we want than to see you succeed and be a stronger healthier version of you!
  3. Expertise and Knowledge: As your personal trainer, We are dedicated to continuously upgrading our knowledge to provide you with the best guidance. Expect high quality control on all exercises, nutritional strategies that work for you and your lifestyle, and full support outside of sessions.
  4. Adaptability: Life is unpredictable, and circumstances might change. We are prepared to adapt your fitness plan when needed, whether due to shifts in your goals, injuries, lifestyle stress or any challenges that may arise.
  5. Positive Environment: Our training sessions will be conducted in a positive, non-judgmental environment that encourages progression, growth and self-improvement. We are here to listen, to address your concerns, and to make our sessions enjoyable yet productive.
  6. Progress Tracking: I will help you track your progress, providing insights into how far you’ve come. Regular assessments/check ins will guide our journey and enable us to make any necessary adjustments for optimal results. The fitness journey is ongoing and there is no end, we all need to keep ourselves strong and fit throughout our lifetime, as we embark the journey of life our fitness journey may also change along the way, as your coach we are here to help you every step of the way.

The journey together as personal trainer and client is built on a foundation of shared expectations. By understanding and respecting what each of us brings to this partnership, we can create an environment that fosters growth, transformation, and achievement.

I have been fortunate to personally coach individuals for over a decade and take them through many stages of their lives it’s a huge honour to have been part of many journeys and the best thing about it is building lifelong relationships and friendships built on trust. 

 

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Personal Training Client | Testimonial | John Haynes

Discover the Remarkable Personal Training Journey of John Haynes at Soma Fitness

At Soma, we believe that the path to a stronger, healthier life is one filled with determination and dedication. Meet John Haynes, one of our long standing personal training clients, an embodiment of these principles, whose inspiring testimonial showcases the transformative power of consistent effort and resilience.

Over the course of 12 transformative years at Soma, John’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Confronted with ongoing hip issues and a prognosis for a hip replacement 17 years ago, John refused to be defined by limitations. Through his commitment to his fitness journey, he not only managed to overcome his hip challenges but also emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before.

John’s story is a testament to the fact that age is no barrier to achieving remarkable physical feats. His relentless pursuit of a strong body has positioned him among the most vibrant and youthful members of our gym community. His determination has granted him a level of strength that rivals even the youngest gym enthusiasts.

Join us in celebrating John’s exceptional journey as a shining example of how consistent effort, dedication, and the guidance of Soma’s expert personal trainers can transform lives. At Soma Fitness, we understand that fitness is a lifelong endeavour, and John’s story embodies the spirit of continuous growth and empowerment.

Explore our comprehensive fitness programs and experience first-hand the Soma difference. Embark on a journey that redefines your potential and propels you towards a lifetime of strength, vitality, and well-being.

Begin Your Personal Training Journey with Soma Fitness Today:

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

The Importance of Hydration

Water intake is often underestimated in its significance to our overall well-being. Beyond quenching your thirst, staying adequately hydrated has an array of benefits that extend to various aspects of your health, performance, and vitality. Working with our personal training clients it’s a frequent area that are required to address and we most commonly do so with hydration targets to apply some structure to an individual’s hydration habits.

 

The Foundation of Vital Functions

 

Your body is a complex symphony of processes that require the right conditions to perform optimally. Water plays a central role in maintaining these conditions. From regulating body temperature to aiding in joint lubrication, water is essential for preventing infections, delivering nutrients to cells, and ensuring your organs function correctly.

 

Physical Performance Potential

 

Whether you’re an individual interested in optimal health and well being or a dedicated athlete, staying hydrated is paramount for peak physical performance. During intense exercise or when facing high temperatures, your body’s demand for water intensifies. Dehydration, even as low as 2% of your body weight, can significantly impact your performance, altering body temperature regulation, motivation levels, and increasing fatigue. Athletes, in particular, can lose up to 6-10% of their body weight in water through sweat, further emphasising the necessity of optimal hydration.

 

Enhancing Mental Clarity and Mood

 

It’s not just your body that benefits from proper hydration – your brain relies on it also. Even mild dehydration, as little as 1-3% body weight loss, can impair various aspects of brain function. Studies reveal that fluid loss affects mood, concentration, and cognitive abilities. Working memory, anxiety levels, and fatigue are all areas that can be negatively impacted by inadequate hydration. By keeping your hydration levels in check, you’re giving your brain the environment it needs to stay sharp and focused.

 

The Battle Against Headaches and Migraines

 

Dehydration and headaches often go hand in hand. Scientific research indicates that dehydration can trigger headaches and migraines, with a direct correlation between headache frequency and hydration status. Drinking water has been shown to alleviate headache symptoms and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from migraines. Tip: Adding 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic sea salt to your water can increase the absorbency of the water that you consume, often times individuals that may drink enough water but struggle to absorb it into the body. We may cover this topic in further detail at a later date.

 

Aiding Digestion and Preventing Constipation

 

Your digestive system requires proper hydration to function smoothly. Insufficient water intake can lead to constipation, causing discomfort and disruption in your daily life. Increasing fluid intake, particularly water rich in minerals like magnesium and sodium, can help improve bowel movement frequency and consistency, aiding in the relief of constipation.

 

Guarding Against Kidney Stones

 

For those who have experienced the excruciating pain of kidney stones, prevention is key. Adequate water intake can help reduce the risk of forming kidney stones. By diluting the concentration of minerals in the urine, water makes it less likely for these crystals to clump together and cause discomfort. The evidence suggests that hydration plays a role in kidney stone prevention.

 

Weight Loss Potential

 

For those on a weight loss journey, hydration can be a valuable ally. Drinking water before meals can increase satiety and boost your metabolic rate, helping you consume fewer calories and potentially aiding in weight loss. The common question we ask our personal training clients who get hungry while in a calorie defect, “are you hungry or are you thirsty?” Timing is crucial – consuming water half an hour before meals has been shown to be particularly effective in curbing appetite and supporting weight loss efforts.

 

It’s not just about quenching your thirst; it’s about optimising your body and mind to reach their full potential. By staying mindful of your fluid intake and making hydration a priority, you’re investing in a healthier, more vibrant you.

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