The PT team at David Lloyd Teesside is helping members achieve lasting results
LEISURE
Fitness gurus – David Lloyd personal training manager Steven Virtue( left) with signature personal trainer Mark Thistlethwaite.
GETTING PERSONAL
The PT team at David Lloyd Teesside is helping members achieve lasting results
PICTURES: CHRIS BOOTH WORDS: JULIE BURNISTON
David Lloyd Teesside is much more than a health club. Combining fitness, family activities, wellness facilities, racquet sports, swimming, flexible workspaces and social areas, it’ s become a destination where busy professionals, families and retirees can all make time for their wellbeing.
Central to that experience is its team of specialist personal trainers, supporting members at every stage of their fitness journey.
“ We understand that it can be difficult for people to balance work, family and their own wellbeing,” said Steven Virtue, personal training manager.“ That’ s where personal trainers can really help.
“ For many people, joining a gym is the easy part. Walking through the doors for the first time, knowing where to start or staying motivated long enough to see results is often the real challenge.
“ Ultimately, people seek a personal trainer if they lack gym confidence or are complete beginners with a fear of injury.
“ Others enjoy group exercise because
Lift – personal training manager Steven Virtue works with David Lloyd Teesside member Sarah Linaker. it’ s motivating and social but then want a little bit more. Personal training fills the gap between semi-private and private support.”
According to Steven, one ingredient makes the biggest difference between good intentions and lasting results.
“ It’ s accountability,” he said.“ It’ s the discipline of having a personal trainer waiting for you week in, week out that keeps you on course between sessions.
“ Statistics show having a PT increases your gym visits three-fold. Those attending at least three times a week are more motivated, build a closer relationship with the club and are far more likely to stay on track.”
The role of the personal trainer has also changed significantly over the years.
“ These days people want relatability. Someone they can trust,” said Steven.
“ A PT’ s role isn’ t just about getting you in great shape. It’ s supporting you mentally, helping with nutrition, rehabilitating injuries – a whole plethora of things.”
David Lloyd Teesside has a team of 10 personal trainers, each bringing expertise in different disciplines.
Members are matched with the coach best suited to their goals through the club’ s app, ensuring a personalised approach from day one.
The team works with people of all ages, genders and abilities, including children with autism or ADHD( with parental consent), demonstrating the club’ s commitment to making fitness accessible to everyone.
Every new member also benefits from three complimentary Kickstart PT sessions.
“ We first establish who you are; your goals, habits and barriers,” Steven said.“ We then complete a BodyTrack scan measuring body fat, muscle mass, hydration, flexibility and strength.
“ From there we build a programme around the data and your ambitions before giving you a taste of what personal training is really like. We don’ t guess, we test, assess and progress you from there.”
For Steven, the value of personal training extends far beyond the hour spent together on the gym floor.
“ Our mantra is,‘ There’ s no price on health’. It’ s not just the one-hour session. It’ s analysing nutrition, checking in with you, monitoring your activity and supporting you between appointments.”
That personalised approach has created countless success stories, including one client with cerebral palsy who had never previously entered a gym.
Steven said:“ Working alongside an NHS physiotherapist, we got him to the stage where he now comes to the gym three times a week, attends classes and even plays wheelchair basketball. He would barely leave the house before.”
For Steven, those transformations are about far more than physical fitness.
He added:“ It’ s about building a fitness community, introducing people to others on the same journey and making them feel part of the family.
“ We set small, smart goals that are achievable. Celebrating those small wins is what keeps people coming back.”
davidlloyd. co. uk / clubs / teesside
The voice of business in the Tees region | 123