Category: Personal Trainers

Journey to Becoming a PT | The story of former YMCA learner Ben Stewart

Posted on by Christie Goyette

Journey to Becoming a PT

The story of former YMCA learner Ben Stewart

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We love celebrating our past learners! Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Ben Stewart, who participated in our Fitness Training Academy and has gone on to enjoy a successful career as a personal trainer. Enjoy this first-hand account of Ben’s time with YMCA and how his course set him up for success in the fitness industry! 

Person in black shirt with "Castore" logo, standing in front of "David Lloyd Clubs" sign.

My PT journey started back in 2010 when I had no idea about what career I was interested in. One thing I did know was that I didn’t want to follow my dad into his ready-made car garage. So, if it wasn’t mechanics what could it be? I’d seen an open day at a local college advertising a new full-time 2-year course, taking people from a level 2 Gym Instructor to a level 3 PT. At this point in my life, I’d only kept fit through some sport and helping my dad in his garage. However, I knew a few friends at the college and had nothing to lose. 

After a tour of the facilities and an explanation from a lecturer, Ryan Palmer (now Central YMCA CEO), I knew this was for me. 

The first 2 years 

I really liked the idea that the first year was filled with eleven Level 2 qualifications. It wasn’t just your standard course which you complete in a few months that ‘tick the box’ to become a gym instructor. In just a year, I was given all the skills and confidence to get a job in a gym – and I did exactly that. 

“If I talk to anyone wanting to become a PT, I’d always say time spent in a gym as a level 2 instructor is an invaluable way to gain experience and some confidence”. 

The second year was tougher from a theoretical point of view, between the level 3 and 4 modules while building a reputation at the gym I was working at. Members would ask for training sessions and programmes, but until I earned my certification, I did not want to offer something I wasn’t qualified in. 

Having face to face lessons were key for me to build an amazing understanding of the industry. Practical sessions were invaluable to me as I came from a zero-gym experience background. Additionally, the theory lessons allowed me to ‘switch on’ and focus on the content that suited my learning style best, allowing me to get the most out of the course. 

Earning close to 20 qualifications (ranging from Gym Instructor and Circuit Training all the way through to Walk Leading and Client Fitness Assessments) over the 2 years helped me stand out from the rest of the PT crowd once I completed my course. This gave me a huge number of options for my future. 

After qualifying 

I quickly realised that being a Level 3 PT wasn’t going to be enough to truly reach my potential. While it gave me a great set up to start working in the gym, I was still working out what I was interested in doing within the industry. I took a weekend and analysed my client base and the member demographic at the gym I was working at. 

This is something I learnt on the YMCA business module of the course, and I feel like it’s an invaluable practice to do. It helps find your niche as well as any CPD courses that will be helpful for you to grow and progress. 

Do the ‘boring’ work – so many of my clients I picked up were simply because I said hello to them as I was doing the rounds of the gym and clearing up a few weights. 

In essence I believe almost all the success I’ve had in 15 years in the industry is down to me starting on the right foot and becoming qualified through YMCA. The number of modules, qualifications, and face to face classroom lessons is what I credit with getting me started off on the right foot.  

Of course, this isn’t to say you can’t be a good coach if you didn’t complete a longer course. But from discussions I’ve had with PTs starting in the industry, many of them have the passion and enthusiasm needed to be great but are aren’t properly equipped with some of the basic ‘accessory skills’ like business and communication skills. 

Close to 15 years after starting my personal training career, I never imagined that one of my course lecturers, Ryan Palmer, would become CEO of Central YMCA. I was excited to reconnect with him to share my story and experience on the course that gave me a sense of direction and confidence to build my own health and fitness brand, move on to study for a degree, and work with more than 1000 people. 

In February 2024, Ben became the third person in history to complete a backwards trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres! We are proud to have played a small role in this amazing feat as one of Ben’s sponsors. 

Ryan had the following to say about Ben: “It was clear from the first week of Bens studies that he had a determination and a set of values that would see him succeed in the Health and Fitness industry. It’s been a pleasure to reconnect with Ben after so many years and to see him. Ben is an asset to the Fitness industry, and his charity work is nothing short of inspirational. I wish him every success for the future.” 

We’re excited to see all the other amazing accomplishments Ben has in the future! If you would like to follow his PT journey, here are the links to his website and socials: 

Website: www.bsfitness-therapy.co.uk 
Instagram: @BSfitnesstherapy 
Facebook: @BenSFT 

And if you would like to learn more about the course that kick-started his career, click here to learn more about our Fitness Training Academy. 

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7 Simple Ways to Incorporate More Movement Into Your Day

Posted on by Christie Goyette

7 Simple Ways to Incorporate More Movement Into Your Day

Post by:

Christie Goyette

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Mental Health Awareness Month: Moving More for our Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health.” As a Charity that has a core focus in the fitness and wellness sectors, we’re strong believers that getting in more movement is beneficial to all aspects of our health, including our mental wellbeing. 

Exercise – and all forms of movement – have so many benefits for both our physical and mental health. But for those days that you don’t have time for a dedicated gym session, there are plenty of little ways to incorporate healthy movement and avoid sitting for long periods of time.

These are seven little ways you can incorporate a bit more movement into your day (particularly on workdays when you feel like you have a million and one things on your to-do list!):

1. Start your morning with a 5-10 minute stretch. 

Not only does a morning stretch feel great, it also encourages good posture and blood flow, helps you start your day with less stress, and gives your mind and body an energy boost to take on the day. Need some inspo? We’ve got some short stretching videos on our YouTube channel.

2. Take a lunchtime walk. 

If you have an allocated lunch break as part of your workday, use it as a time to give your mind a rest so you can come back refreshed to complete your afternoon tasks. This is the perfect opportunity to get in a nice walk, especially now that it’s getting warmer and sunnier!

3. Try a standing desk. 

Standing desks are great for improving circulation, and standing while you work is also proven to improve your energy and reduce stress levels. If you don’t own a standing desk, you don’t necessarily need to invest in any fancy equipment. A kitchen counter or hightop table work just as well!

4. Stand up from your desk every 30 minutes. 

Sitting for long periods of time has a negative impact on blood circulation, insulin resistance, posture, and bone strength. You’re also likely to feel more stressed if you don’t take little breaks throughout your day. For every half hour you spend sitting, aim to stand up for at least five minutes. Do a quick stretch, take the dog out, or go into the kitchen to make yourself a cup of tea. If you’re in deep concentration mode and don’t want to break your focus, this is where a standing desk can be a great option!

5. If possible, walk or cycle to your destination. 

Whenever possible, skip the car or Tube and walk or cycle instead! You’ll get in some extra movement and some fresh air – something else that’s proven to support better mental health.

6. Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator. 

If you’re only heading up a few storeys, consider taking the stairs. This will get your heart pumping and encourage healthy joints. Plus, imagine the leg and glute muscles you’ll build up over time!

7. Try swapping your office chair for an exercise ball. 

Similar to using a standing desk, sitting on an exercise ball helps keep your muscles and core engaged. You’ll get in a bit more movement compared to a standard desk chair, and sitting on an exercise ball is also excellent for your posture.

Why not give one of these tips a try today? And if you’ve got a bit more time for a dedicated workout, look through the workout videos on our YouTube channel or book in for a group exercise class at YMCA Club! 

How to start working out and actually stick with it

Posted on by Christie Goyette

How to start working out and actually stick with it

National Fitness Day was a couple days ago, but we’re keeping the celebrations going a bit longer. After all, their motto this year is “your health is for life.”

Fitness is a many faceted thing that’s about so much more than shedding pounds or growing muscles. We know how important it is to make sustainable changes to your health journey to make sure it’s something you can sustain throughout your life. 

So far, we’ve chatted about mental health, nutrition, and recovery and how they’re related to fitness. Today, we’re talking about the final piece in the puzzle for a lifetime of healthy habits: physical activity and how to start working out.

There are dozens of different ways you can get moving on a daily basis, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all. If you’re not much of a gym-goer at the moment, the idea of getting started with exercise can seem daunting. But the key on how to start working out (and actually stick with it) is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that you can turn into a habit. Easier said than done, but here are five tips to get you motivated: 

Be open to trying anything and everything.

You may fall in love with a form of exercise you wouldn’t have expected! YMCA Club has a huge variety of classes you can try, such as yoga, aerobics, and circuit training. If you’re a beginner, let the instructor know and they’ll help you modify exercises that may be too difficult. 

Take it slow. 

It can be tempting to go all-in from the start, but that may lead to burnout. If you’re brand new to exercise, start with something manageable like 2 or 3 workouts a week, and go for walks on other days. And the workouts don’t need to be long sessions – even a 20-minute HIIT workout can be enough to get your heart pumping! 

Find a “why” that’s more than just a good physique.

This is the key to starting a healthy exercise routine that you can sustain. You’re more likely to stick with exercise long-term if you’re doing it for a non-aesthetic or non-selfish reason. This can include a long list of things, such as managing diabetes, improving heart health, managing anxiety or depression, lowering blood pressure, or getting stronger to play with your grandchildren.  

Recruit a workout buddy.

If you’re going solo, it can be easy to make excuses to skip a workout, but when you start a fitness routine with a friend, you keep each other accountable. You’re less likely to cancel a workout last-minute if your friend is relying on you! You can even make the experience more fun and social by going for a coffee or nutritious smoothie after the workout. 

Block off time in your diary.

It’s important to make physical activity a priority because it is one. Schedule it in the same way you would a work meeting or doctor appointment. If you can make a habit of exercise, even better! Try working out at the same time a few days a week or attend a couple of the same classes each week. 

All that’s standing between you and your new fitness routine is that first workout! Need some inspiration to get started? Some of the most popular types of workout – and some of our favourites – include swimming, cycling, yoga, boxing, weightlifting, dancing, HIIT, and pilates.