Cat's quals!
Just a brief resume of my qualifications to date (no one ever asks but it is here anyway!)
I originally Qualified in Exercise to Music (Aerobics), from The Royal School of the Arts, qualifying in ’98, through Fitness Wales. This was, and is, the toughest qualification yet and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Then the following bolt on qualifications were added:
Step Aerobics 1999
Kids Fit 1999
Kick aerobics 2002
In June 01, I decided to go the whole hog and get the Premier Diploma in Personal Training comprising:
Sports Massage and Sports Therapy, Circuits,Optimum and Sports Nutrition, Gym Instruction, Massage, Exercise for Special Populations - Ante/ Post Natal, Weight Management, Body Composition, and Doctors referrals.
In July 02 I sold my gorgeous narrow boat to enable me to open a small, intimate gym in Hay-on-Wye, (Opening Dec 2002), this was followed by a relocation to much larger premises, in Aug 2009.
Here, we provide a comprehensive training programme to our clients for a personalised, tailored programme. We tend to have around 100+ members actively using the gym on any given week. Since we opened we have taken in 900+. If you add in the classes I have done in the community, and still do, 21 of them now- the numbers get scary!
I am also an Advanced Weights Instructor, training with Juice performance and accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals. (So lads – I can deal with you too!).
Many ‘spin off’ clubs, and sessions now exist under the same roof – just look at this web site for more!
In 2004 I founded and directed the Hay Hotfooters Running Club, coaching them for 4 ½ years. I was also founder/director of the Magic Roundabout 10k for 2 years, but eventually pulled away – there is simply not enough time in the week to run everything – you learn to let things go! They continue to flourish as an independent club which is really gratifying to know.
One huge surprise for me has been, that once I qualified in ‘Freestyle Pilates’, (2005), and started to teach it I was able to slow down from the high impact Aerobics I adored, and I now totally love it, wholly endorsing it’s benefits. It is the perfect anti-dote to cardio/metabolic type sports. The F/S Pilates sessions are amongst the most popular of all the classes I run. In addition, and and a result of my new found slowness (!), I now also offer a dedicated SLOW STRETCH class Mon-Thursday 11 a.m which is proving to be critical in keeping those who attend trouble free from tight muscle and fascia, and often resolving long standing painful issues as we spend ages lengthening out tight muscles. A lovely session which I am benefitting from myself!
VERY recently (Sept 2011) I also qualified in Freestyle Fitness YOGA which has taken me into pastures new! I cna see already this is going to be another passion and is even SLOWER that Pilates! (in fact I am quite a fast Pilates Instructor so am learning a totally new pace. BOY does FF Yoga hit some spots - spectaularly good for spinal rotation, and the HELD poses are adding range of movement to my repetoire I did not think possible. It is NOT traditional Yoga but that suits me fine as I would feel fraudulent (I am not versed or interested in the spiritual side of this yet). I worried about doing this in winter (puting on the radiators hours in advance), PAH! We are deep-muscle-boiling-hot very fast and will be fine!
‘Weight and See Instant 2.0’, is a 4 week e-course that has literally taken years to evolve. (circa 2004). This involves big lifestyle shifts for many of the members who undertake it, directed over the 4 weeks, which means you’ll end up FIT HEATHY, VIBRANT and (if you needed to), you’ll have lost weight too! This is offered with, or without seminar support, but in either case you can also refer to my NING site for everything you need: weightandsee.ning.com. Sign on today and join in the fun!
I have made it my mission to reach as many (mainly) women as possible, particularly in the weight loss field. The optimum way to achieve this is to cater for as wide a range of activities as possible, doing all the classes and disciplines I can, in the new centre, and to really try to listen in to what women’s frustrations can be on this topic, and where they are often misinformed, eduacting us along the way. With the W&Si course I offer I really believe this is the protocol everyone will follow once everyone catches up! It is common sense back to nature but with the structure to make this possible as it is not always an easy path to follow. What I see as normal is a mine field is you are not used to it I realise this! You'lll see many 'new' diets in the media as they know we love anything new but the principles of good nutrition will never fade, and this is encapsulated in W&Si.
I added Life Coaching to my ‘qualifications belt’, some time ago, sensing it would be the perfect compliment for Personal Training, and all clubs. Goal Setting/getting, Visualisation, Periodisation (planning ahead), Time Management, and Life Planning can only assist all my clients in terms of getting the most out of their Personal Training AND, possibly add to their own lives and enjoyment, in other aspects, other than health and fitness. It has really added heavy weight tools to the box, and interesting content to the articles I write for anyone who will listen!
Another real passion of mine is Bio Typing – this identifies a clients’ evolutionary Body Type leading to extremely pertinent advise regarding their ideal nutrition, hobbies, sports & gives me clues as to how to motivate them, and adhere to the programme we prescribe. You have to trust me on this one – it is remarkable and it works. I’ve had some conversations since I studied it that has rendered me speechless (now you know it’s serious!). I have carefully worked out how to merge this with my own observations for the ultimate advise for your body type.
Based on testimonials from my clients across the board of all I have mentioned above, in April 2006 I was delighted to be voted Fitness Instructor of the year for Wales, as awarded by Fitness Wales, based in Cardiff. Definitely one of my better days!
A fitness professional interested in keeping up with the latest protocols in Sports Science, Fitness, Nutrition and Health, will attend master classes, seminars, and workshops every year to earn enough points to retain their licence. This ensures we are up to date. You can always check Instructor’s credentials with the Register of Exercise Professionals 020 8686 6464. Also - most importantly, make sure your Instrucor is INSURED, (as well as properly quaified!) I have been stunned by how many are not in my dealings thus far! All instructors and therapists working in G&T's are vetted to ensure you'll be safe on all counts. Cat.
pdf TMOTT
