When I joined The HIIT Locker towards the end of August, I weighed a little under 15 stone (having put 10lbs back on in a couple of months through birthdays, barbeques and my 20th Wedding Anniversary). I used to be a competitive fencer but through a combination of factors I was now seriously unfit, significantly overweight and generally unhappy with myself. I was always absolutely shattered every morning and had no energy or drive to do anything. My clothes didn't fit well, or getting bigger and bigger sizes and I had zero muscle tone or strength. I couldn't even do 5 press ups. I'd also never trained using weights before so The HIIT Locker was a novel, if painful, experience to start with, as my muscles and body became used to strenuous exercise again. I found the nutrition app and coaching really useful and quite straightforward, albeit a bit of a shock when you see the calorie content of what you're eating! What's really great about the programme is the small group aspect. Whether with the nutrition or sessions there's always a personal touch and all the coaches are really good at pushing you on without making you feel incapable. The atmosphere in the sessions is always fun and there's a good bit of banter, and support, from everyone. I definitely feel part of a group, not just a faceless body in the crowd. In the 11 weeks I've been there I've lost over 1 stone and I fit clothes I bought years ago but could never wear without feeling self-conscious. I've noticed how quickly my strength and endurance levels picked up and the weights I can work with have increased steadily. I'm much fitter, healthier, definitely skinnier and happier than I've been in years. Perhaps one of the most telling things was walking in to class and Shan exclaiming 'You're so lean!', having not seen me for a couple of weeks. It doesn't get easier because you push onwards, heavier weights, more reps, faster tempo, but it's certainly made a difference to me. Well worth the time, effort and money. It feels like another family.

Before starting the HIIT locker I was out of shape, aching joints, had low energy, poor flexibility, little strength. I Found the start daunting, I was so uncoordinated and unfit, but the trainers were so helpful and friendly I soon started enjoying the classes and really looking forward to it. I have lost nearly 2 stone but the best is how much fitter and stronger I have become and how much I enjoy exercise. It has helped me realise that exercise is the best medicine for staying young no matter what age you are.

Before I started at The HIIT Locker my diet was very unhealthy. Lots of snacks and too many carry outs. My exercise regime would consist of a leisurely stroll with the dog every day and little else. Previous resolutions to get fit would rarely last more than 3 days. My weight had began to creep up over the years and before I started The HIIT Locker I was really struggling to get into some 36 inch waist trousers and would wear XL shirts. Consequently my self confidence would have been fairly low, I’d avoid looking at myself in mirrors where possible and I’d hate photos of myself. I came to The HIIT Locker through an ad on Facebook. I’d had a bit of a mild health scare and with my family having a long history of heart problems I decided it was time to do something about it. I was given the hard sell (lol) by Emma over the phone and she explained the whole plan in a very non-daunting way while Phil’s nutrition tutorial videos were really informative and well presented. The first training session I was very apprehensive but the trainers were really supportive and eased me through it and I soon realised nearly everyone else had been just as nervous on their first day. I can’t say enough about the trainers. Their good nature, enthusiasm and knowledge is second to none. Every session strikes a balance between craic and hard work. They make time for everyone in the sessions and are always there with helpful coaching cues and pointers. I was lucky to get Hugh as my nutrition coach. The first few of the weekly calls were particularly important for me as changing my diet was definitely the most challenging aspect of the programme for me. Hugh worked with me on a one-on-one basis until we found which daily calorie and protein intake worked best for me and he would keep me on the straight and narrow with his cajoling and encouragement. I’ve had some great results with the programme and I’m probably in the best shape of my life. I’ve dropped over 3.5 stone, my body fat percentage has more than halved and I’ve basically had to buy almost a whole new wardrobe as none of my old clothes fit me. 32 inch trouser waists are now a little baggy on me and I can fit into some medium size shirts. People who hadn’t seen me for a while were really surprised and shocked by my appearance. I’ve definitely got much more energy and confidence than before. I’d heartily recommend The HIIT Locker to everyone.

I got started with The HIIT Locker because my fitness, weight and shape needed to improve, which they all have. In particular, I can really feel the improvement with my fitness level. The coaches are fantastic and look after you, while at the same time pushing you to go that little bit extra, getting you out of your comfort zone. The workouts are great with plenty of variation and the coaches will adapt an exercise to suit you if required. Now I feel fitter and better, lost a little weight which my wife commented on, really just wanted to find a place to train, meet other people outside of work as I’m working away from home and it’s good for my mental health to be in a different environment for a few hours a week and not be always focused on work.

Before I joined The HIIT Locker I was just dieting. I’d lost some weight but hit a bit of a plateau for a couple of months which was de-motivating. I wasn’t fit at all, was in a gym but didn’t really know what I was doing. I thought The HIIT Locker would get me back on track to my weight loss goal and it did. When I started I really enjoyed the programme. It was great going in a few times a week and learning new exercises and always trying something new every training session. Even today the trainers still throw stuff into the workouts that I’ve never done before. The trainers were very supportive and really helped me with my nutrition, something I always struggled with. I also find they are very motivational, they push you to get an extra few reps in at the end of a set, when they know you can do it. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about any of the trainers at the gym. I’ve found recently my clothes are too big for me now, which I see as a good problem. I’m also a lot more toned, I feel, and still have more to accomplish. I feel posture was always something I struggled with, and have noticed my posture has gotten a lot better, especially with the back exercises I have done. I receive a lot of compliments from friends and family about how much weight I’ve lost, and when new people I meet see old photos of me they can’t believe how much I’ve changed. I’ve also found my confidence has improved massively.

Before I started at The HIIT Locker I was the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life. I have fibromyalgia and I felt tired all the time, out of shape, out of breath. I was so fed up with how I looked and I just didn’t know what to do anymore. When I got started, I had no idea what to expect and went in with an open mind and open to help. Everyone was super welcoming and understanding. The programme is brilliant and teaches me how to incorporate life into my nutrition. I’ve lost a stone so far, and I have got a plateau. But I’m keeping doing the things I need to. My clothes fit so much better and people have commented but more important is that even though I still have fibromyalgia flare ups, I have the stamina to push through them more, now. I’m able to go for longer walks, I enjoy my HIIT sessions and just feel so much better inside and out. For me learning about proper nutrition has been key. I don’t feel deprived of anything, and I’m motivated to push myself to do better in the HIIT sessions as well.