I'd like to start this post by asking you a question:
- Have you been to a gym and had a training program written for you, by someone that you have only just met?
Until recently I thought that this was what should happen in a gym, but often felt for me, this kind of programme was not only boring, but its isn't personalised or tailored to my specific requirements.
In the past my back has ached after exercising, or my knees, my hips.......you get the idea right? I've felt uncomfortable to the extent I've ended up spending a fortune on various styles of trainers thinking they were the cause.
When I announced my plans to trek the Grand Canyon and my reasons why, I was asked by a family friend to contact Matt Chappell at Evolved Health. Curiosity got the better of me and I made that call. A few days later I met with Matt and to cut a long story short, I am excited to say that I now have Matt as my personal trainer.Matt at Evolved Health certainly does not work in the same way described above! From the moment you walk through the door, of Unit 10, Glenmore Business Park. Telford Road. Salisbury, SP2 7GL you feel an immediate sense of calmness. There are no running machines, or bikes to sit on that make you feel as if you are on the road to nowhere. No rowing machines and certainly no loud music or lycra clad stick thin people making you wish you hadn't bothered to turn up.
I really wasn't sure what to expect with my training sessions, or in fact the reason he feels he wants to help me! so I asked, and this was his reply:
"Reasons for help are very simple - you are doing a great thing for a great cause, and that effort should be rewarded with support. I had picked up on some confidence issues, and I felt I could add something with regards your health and happiness, therefore I made the offer."
Matt is the founder of Evolved Health. He has created an elite offering in the field of health and performance. He has travelled the world and studied with pioneers of strength & conditioning, personal training, body nutrition and functional medicine. He believes that we should never stop learning, and so is continually refining his skills in order to benefit his happy clients.
Matt has served as Health & Performance Coach to British 4X Mountain Bike Champion Katy Curd, who came 4th in the 2010 4X World Championships under Matt's guidance and was British 4X Champion in successive years 2011-2013. He has a vast array of skills, to help you become leaner, stronger, healthier and happier. Whatever your goal, Matt will produce a personalised plan unmatched by most gyms & trainers. Once you have taken the step to evolve you can expect the highest standard of coaching, nutritional guidance and therapeutic care available in Salisbury.
My first session was spent discussing nutrition and diet......that was tough for me as I'm not a big eater. I don't eat fruit, veg or salad but I am a bit of a Carb junkie with a sweet tooth. I am now having to re-look at everything I eat and increase my protein intake!
- My second session was really nerve wrecking as Matt needed to look at me - sounds odd doesn't it, but I can assure you it was very important. He needed to take a look at me, the way I stand, move and feel (scarey stuff when you hate the way you look, with lumps and bumps in all of the wrong places - no laughing, this is serious stuff) but from just looking at me in my gym gear and by taking photos, oh and some video too, he was able to establish a few areas that needed to be worked on, including my calf muscles, pelvis and upper and lower back.
It was a massive eye opener! I learnt so much about my body during that session, to be more specific, about my posture and things I didn't realise were the cause of some serious aches and pains! This is something that is a must with Matt and his clients before he writes, discusses or introduces any gym equipment to a training sessions.
Along with Matt being my new personal health and training instructor, I have another new found friend - Larry. Guess what, unlike Matt, Larry will be joining me on my Trek through the Grand Canyon too!
I'd describe Larry as very firm, perfectly shaped and reaches muscles I would never have believed possible from a Lacrosse Ball! If you want to know how Larry is used in my training, drop me a line or comment on this blog post.
So now I'm four weeks into my actual training with Matt and having been told in the past ....."oh no, you wont be able to do anything with weights because of your back" WRONG! With the correct guidance, technique and posture I can lift and use weights during my training, and I have already increased the weight I am using, from when I started.
My confidence is growing and my trust in Matt is 100%. He assures me that I'm doing well but this is a long journey, and as he reminds me, it has to be done gradually.
I am training in preparation to trek the Grand Canyon, in memory of my amazing friend Chris Ewington. He fought a battle against cancer that sadly was lost, but with Matt's help I will achieve my battle to get fit and trek the canyon to raise money for the Stars Appeal.
Thank you for your amazing support Matt Chappell.
