Hear what our clients have to say…

I don’t like gyms. I don’t like personal trainers. I don’t like being shouted at and exhausted by someone with a physique and attitude to fitness that I can never hope to achieve. I don’t like being told that I’m over-weight and under-fit and I certainly will NEVER spend one second of my life feeling like a fool in a gym packed full of uber achieving exercise bunnies.

However, I have been member of Bodies in Design for the past two years. Thanks to the relentless encouragement of Andrew I’ve lost 15kg, have kept it off, and not only has it changed my life, it’s also made me realise that gym-based exercise doesn’t have to mean abject humiliation. As much as it pains me to compliment him, Andrew is an absolute revelation – he is patient and encouraging and no two sessions have ever been the same. He has shown himself to be committed and non-judgmental, and a bloody good Agony Aunt to boot. And the most important thing, I don’t think there has been one single session in two years that I haven’t had to stop what I’m doing because I’m laughing so much.

The gym itself is full of people like me, normal people of a variety of ages and fitness levels just trying – and generally, through the guidance of Andrew,  Jeni and Francois, succeeding – in being the best version of themselves that they can be, and for all these reasons I cannot recommend Bodies in Design highly enough.

Emma

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Little did I know when I first stepped into the office at Bodies in Design quite how much that meeting with Andrew was going to change my life – for the better!

I was coming back from injury and was overweight and unfit as a result. Andrew took the time to understand my goals and lifestyle and took care to fully understand the injury. He talked me through some simple nutritional ‘rules’ to follow and then we got started on the exercise. By following Andrew’s nutritional advice and slowly increasing the exercise, I lost 13kgs in 13 weeks and the injury fully healed.

Two years later, I still look forward to our weekly personal training sessions and I’m leaner, fitter and stronger than I have ever been – to the extent that I now compete in triathlons and am training for a half ironman! I would (and frequently do!) fully recommend Andrew and his team. If you are thinking about trying personal training, don’t hesitate – just go for it!

Thalia

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My journey with Bodies in Design began in Sept 2017. After having got back from our family holiday, I was happily flicking through the tons of photos we’d taken only to be hit by a picture of me that literally made me stop in my tracks. How and when had I managed to put on that much weight? I was mortified!
Having been a professional dancer until I had my three children, I’d always been well aware of my body. I really struggled to keep it looking like most of the other girls I worked with and always felt (and looked) like the fat one. I discovered I had an under active thryroid problem after my second child which also didn’t help my plight for a slimmer me.

Also being in the ‘showbiz’ industry and trying desperately to conform to a certain look, I’d tried every diet under the sun. (Literally EVERY SINGLE ONE) but sadly nothing worked. I had a real lack of confidence and very little self esteem.

I was recommended Bodies in Design by so many people, so I thought I’d give them a try. I honestly had extremely low expectations and thought I’d be wasting my money on yet another binge diet/ fitness regime. How wrong could I be!

Andrew listened intently to my neurotic views of myself and my relationship to food and wasn’t in the least bit fazed. He walked me through every step of my new healthier eating and exercise lifestyle and gave me the support and encouragement I needed.

Over a stone loss later, I couldn’t be any happier with my body. I look forward to my PT sessions with Andrew every week and love the classes with the rest of the team too.

I can’t recommend the Bodies In Design team highly enough.

Christie

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Having made the decision that I needed to take action to become fitter and thinner I found Andrew’s contact details and sent a text. He answered quickly and we soon set up a time to meet.

With an underlying health condition I knew that I needed someone who was careful and knowledgeable, who would take the time to get to know me and to tailor their support to me and my needs. From the point we met I have not looked back. The care and attention taken by all the trainers at the gym has been amazing and I am now fitter and much healthier than I have been for decades.

I confidently returned to a College reunion after nine months of working with Andrew’s team and losing 4 stone. I ran a 5k in December having not run since I was a school girl over 30 years ago! I feel pushed and am continuously surprised by the progress I am making. I am looking forward to the next few months as I approach my target weight, at which point I should have lost 7 stone.

Not only do I have a PT session each week but my teenage children also do. With the same medical issue they were not able to take part in games lessons at school. The change these sessions have made to their lifestyle and general attitude to life has been a complete game changer. We constantly hear about all the stresses teenagers face in modern society and know the connection between good mental health and exercise. The gym is an inclusive and positive environment which really has made a difference and for which we are, as a family, very grateful.

My PT session is a time to work on me and to take time out of a busy life to focus on being healthy. They can be hard work but are rewarding and so many people comment on the difference made over the past year. I walk more, move faster and do not feel tired all the time.

This gym may well seem unprepossessing. But, take a look inside and there is a team of dedicated, reliable and caring staff who will do all they can to support and guide you on your wellness journey. I cannot recommend the team highly enough.

Nicola

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What a year it’s been! Last year I hit a fitness low and on a recommendation from a friend I signed up for PT sessions with Andrew at Bodies in Design. From the word go I have had nothing but support and encouragement from Andrew and the team. The atmosphere at the gym is incredibly welcoming and inclusive – I’ve never felt self-conscious despite lacking confidence in myself during the early days.

Andrews sessions work me to my full potential and have improved my fitness beyond what I thought was possible for me. Andrew has also got me to focus on what I was eating (and drinking!!) and how to achieve my goals. I ended 2018 two stone lighter than I started and I have never been fitter in my life. People comment that I look fit, healthy and most importantly happy! I actively look forward to my sessions at the gym – I’ve smashed my fitness goals, I feel strong and I’m running faster than I thought I could. I’m now looking forward to what I can achieve this year with the help of Andrew and the team!

Liz

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I met with Andrew Moir on the 18th of May 2013. I was 16st 12 pounds or 107kg, I was sad, lonely and I had forgotten what it meant to feel good about myself. Andrew explained how the gym worked and the fees etc. but the most powerful question he asked me was “Why now?”

There were a few circumstances that had changed in my life that was enabling me to make this choice, however I guess the real reason is I was tired. I am tired of not liking myself, I am tired of not wanting to look at myself, I am tired of not wanting my photo taken, or not wanting to see friends because of the way I look and feel about myself. If I am completely truthful with myself I had spent about 4 years avoiding situations and friends of old to avoid those awkward conversations about what I was doing with my life, which would explain the way I looked and what I was doing to myself. All of these choices that I had made kept me in a perpetual cycle of not being able to change. Not being able to choose something more for myself. Andrew said “That is going to change now. I expect more”

He was clear and concise with me with exactly what I had to do, how we were going to achieve my goal. For the first time in my life I believed that this was going to happen that I could be more than what I had thought. We started with a Personal training session that day. Within the week I had met the team who are so friendly and equally as approachable and supportive as Andrew. During the course of my journey, I have run the fastest 5km I have ever run, I have entered and completed a triathlon, I am running a 10km dressed as Santa on the 8th of December.

The gym is a community of people from all walks of life, age groups and fitness levels. But we are all there being more than what we thought we could be. Everyone is supportive of what you are achieving and will congratulate when you have achieved your goal or gotten half way etc. What I love about this gym is it is full of real people making changes in their lives and having fun while they do it.

I am writing this testimonial 6 months since I started and have lost 6 stone! I have another 9 kg to go and I have no doubt that this is going to come off. I know that next year I will stretch that even further. I know this because we have changed my life. We have changed who I am and what is important to me. I know what it will take to maintain my weight and I have made these changes to my life already. I could not even imagine behaving in the way that I used to. No word of a lie there were weekends when I got home on a Friday and did not see any one until Monday morning except the pizza delivery guy. That is no way I ever intend of living my life again!

Jen

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Bodies in design is an enjoyable place to train with a great atmosphere. The trainers are fantastic and work with you in a consistent way to ensure that you not only set the right goals but you actually achieve them.

A real breathe of fresh air ; Not your usual gym environment. No frills so no expensive monthly payments. Friendly and likeable people, no nonsense classes to inspire and support your training.

For the first time ever I actually want to go to the gym!

Lisa

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I trained with Bodies in Design for a thousand mile ride from John O’Groats to Lands End. Having not owned a bike for 20 years, and never been to a gym, I was starting from a low base. However, they made the training varied & interesting, to a point where I continued long after the ride was completed. To add complication, I injured my elbow 6 weeks before the ride. I was referred to a physiotherapist who sent me for an x-ray which concluded it was fractured. My training was adapted to aid my recovery to be king of the mountains (between me & my mates).

Simon

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I was recommended to Bodies in Design when I decided to scale up my fitness routine and undertake more high intensity training.

Over the last two years they have completely reviewed my training plan and tailored it around a lower back injury to enable me to work out to the maximum on each occasion. I have seen very positive results in a relatively short space of time.

It is obvious that they are all professional and very dedicated to helping people achieve their goals, providing the perfect combination of seriously hard workouts with constant encouragement and a great sense of humour.

Jane

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I started Personal Training with Bodies in Design 10 months before I got married. I wanted to lose some weight for the big day, tone up and improve my fitness in general.

By the time my Wedding came around I had lost nearly two stone and dropped from a size 16 to a size 10/12. I was over the moon! It was hard work but I could not have done it without Bodies In Design. They have been encouraging, supportive, motivating and fun to spend time with. They knew when to shout at me and when not to. Most importantly they made working out a positive experience as opposed to a drag.

Over a year on from my Wedding I have kept the weight off and the fitness levels up as a result of continuing with training and classes at Bodies in Design. If you are looking for a friendly, informal place to work out, with trainers who really know their stuff, this is the place for you!

Mari

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What else can I say but an enormous thank you to Bodies In Design for motivating, coaching and even sometimes kind nagging so that I reached my personal goal of over 10kg weight loss. Not only that in the process of losing weight I have become fitter than I can ever remember , toned up and importantly lowered my blood pressure so I no longer needing to take medication . Now that can only be good!

As a health professional I knew the strain I was putting on my body carrying the extra weight , high blood pressure and stressful work life all was adding up in my mind to a potential health disaster. With two young children who I cherish I knew I needed to take control of my life again for myself and importantly them .

After a conversation at school pick-up a kind friend recommended Bodies In Design. A few classes later I realised it was a very special place where people go not only to get fit , stay fit but importantly have a laugh and lots of fun .(Yes pain and fun do go together …. Now that’s something I never thought I’d say!) I was immediately made to feel welcome by the wonderful team and literally I have never looked back .My children have now got a fit mummy and I have my health .

Branita

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When I came to Bodies in design I was a couch potato, who had no confidence and was hugely overweight. Now 3 years later I have managed to achieve many unbelievable goals and I have lost over 3 stone – but what’s even more amazing is I now love working out.

Andrew keeps every session hard but fun – leaving you feeling like you can do absolutely anything and wanting to come back for more.

The mixed Pt’s are brilliant and Andrew has an incredible knack of making you want to work harder than you would ever imagine and gives you an approving grin that makes you feel like you have just won the 100m gold.

Personally I love this place and can’t thank you enough for everything you have done and are still doing for me.

Dan

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Bodies In Design lives up to its name, as there is never a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

My personal training sessions with Andrew are focussed on individual needs, including health and nutrition. The sessions are always challenging, often punishing,
and through the team’s professional skills as well as their strength of character, they somehow push their clients to achieve what they never thought possible.

The studio classes are varied, and I am a big fan of Andrew’s own style of Pilates, invariably challenging and fulfilling, with never a chance for a quiet lie down !
I have been coming to Bodies in Design for over 2 years; it is a friendly crowd and their clients are loyal. The introduction of new classes such as the Pilates Reformer course means that there is always innovation.
I have been a member of many glossy, health and fitness clubs over the years, but Bodies in Design offers the best all round service and value delivered by a dedicated team. Whatever your age, they take health and fitness seriously, balanced with an all important sense of humour !

Brenda

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The girl once voted with the most get up and go…had gone! Years of bad eating habits and no exercise lead to me gaining over a stone a year! My get up and go had disappeared but so too had my personality. I started to struggle with the stairs and was always out of breath, so at the age of 38 and size 22/24 I decided to do something about it.

I had tried all the commercial diets and I even asked the doctor for help, but the thing is only YOU can make the change and when you do it is amazing and life changing!

In March 2010, I joined a local gym and I did start to lose weight but I didn’t push myself enough and my weight loss hit a plateau. So my best friend mentioned that her cousin uses a personal trainer and perhaps I should give it a go. So in March 2011, at a size 20/22 I went to see her cousin’s personal trainer, Andrew. It’s now November 2011 and I am a size 14! Andrew has taught me about healthy eating and my fitness level is amazing and I have just taken part in a 10K run! So if you are ready and focused I urge you to join Bodies in Design they will give you the support you need and once you start your friends, work colleagues and family will all be behind you! I used to make all the excuses;”I’ve not got time to exercise; can’t afford it; I’m not that big; people will stare and I’m too big to exercise”. But Bodies in Design is a small personal gym and I can assure you that you will feel comfortable and no one is staring, only willing you on to succeed and week by week you will get fitter and most important feel better. Everyone is different, so Andrew will discuss your plan with you and just be honest, tell the truth about your issues, mine was food and I take it day by day and sometimes, hour by hour, but if I can do it, so can you!

Alison (9 stone lighter)

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I can’t speak more highly of the whole Bodies in Design team – you get the benefits of a small friendly and flexible team who really care about meeting your goals and needs but with the skill, knowledge and equipment of a larger outfit.

Over the years I’d tried various different chain gyms and now realise I’d been “going through the motions” with my exercise. I rather sceptically tried a personal training session with Andrew. Wow! I’d never ever worked so hard and pushed myself so much in my life! And it’s not just the personal training that’s different – the classes are small so they’re personal and motivating – especially if your personal trainer is taking the class and picking on you!

At 40+, I’m now the fittest and slimmest I’ve ever been. Everyone will talk about the obvious benefits of being able to run for a bus and that suit fitting better, but I’m finding less obvious benefits – my old back problem has all but disappeared, I haven’t had a cold for months, I’m sleeping better, have far more energy and can have the occasional curry and beer without any problems.

Well done and a really big thank you to Andrew and the team!

Andy C

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I started training with Bodies in Design to improve my overall and core strength for injury prevention and in preparation for the triathlon season after finding that my results had plateaued in previous years.

They have taken my goals seriously and developed a periodised programme specifically tailored to my objectives. The approach is holistic incorporating everything from my work commitments, the training I need outside of the gym to providing guidance on sports nutrition. Focussing firmly on technique and getting the maximum benefit from every session his manner remains encouraging, motivational and adaptive when minor injury has threatened. In the time that I have been working with Bodies in Design my run times have come down, bike power has increased and swim endurance has improved – all without injury.

Sean

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Jan B

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“Four months ago I had a hip replacement operation which left me very weak and with absolutely no muscle tone in my right leg. But then I discovered Bodies in Design’s rehab programme. Together with chiropractor, Karen Waddington, they have guided me back to full fitness in a month! They are sensitive and empathetic to my needs, whilst pushing me a little bit harder each session in order to get results. Without Bodies in Design, I think I would probably still be hobbling about on a stick feeling sorry for myself.”