Tell me about you and your family…

I’m married to Richard and we have four children ages four to 14 years old, who keep us very busy! I’ve lived in Cookham my whole life and have recently moved to Furze Platt to accommodate our growing crew and all their new schools.

What's so good about the local area and where are your favourite places to go?

We are so lucky to live around here. There's amazing running routes, off-road trails, hills and fantastic parks on our doorstep. We have wonderful independent cafes and restaurants, and shops and people who really have
a sense of community. Cookham and Maidenhead are really friendly, happy places and now I'm working with people more closely, I get to experience this even more. My favourite place to romp with the kids is definitely Bisham woods and the woodland trail in Cliveden.

Tell me about your business/fitness classes – they've caused quite a stir with the mums I know... 
I started fitIQ 18 months ago with just one mums group. I decided I wanted to go back to work properly when Henry started school, so I needed to retrain ready for this September. I really wanted to still be able to be there for all my children at the beginning and end of every school day. I have always been fit, and challenged myself to reach new goals in different sports, especially running, and so I decided to turn my passion into my work.
      There are lots of great personal trainers in this area but I really wanted to do something a bit different and offer something new. So I now have strength and conditioning circuit classes in Cookham and Furze Platt. They provide a whole body workout in a fun, sociable environment but combine weights, ropes, tyres, TRX, SAQ ladders, kettlebells and cardio work, with a few surprises and with an emphasis on correct form, stability and core strength. 

      So many people were coming to me for running or sports advice with injuries, or who were stuck at the same pace or in a rut. My classes focus on strength and fitness that will have a positive effect on running, cycling or any chosen sport you love. As we get older, you have to realise you can’t just run, you have to run strong and fit! This has now led on to the birth of my new run/fit combo class. So Mondays I train a run and circuit combination class in Oaken Grove Park 9.20–10.35am, Tuesdays I take circuits at Furze Platt senior school gymnasium 8-9pm, and Wednesday mornings “These Mums Can“ Circuits in Cookham Rise Methodist church hall with a little stay and play crèche. I offer group and 1-1 training and have training plan packages to suit your life.
      I love seeing clients grow in strength and confidence as they go through my sessions and most of my clients come back block after block, which is great for progression for them and so rewarding as a trainer.
My ethos is very much that all fitness levels are welcomed, respected and challenged. In one class I can have a nervous new exerciser and a very fit seasoned marathon runner, and the joy of circuits and he way I train means everyone gets something out of it!

Have you always been interested in doing this?
What do you like about it the most?
I have always been passionate about fitness, sports, challenges and, most of all, getting out of my comfort zone. One thing everyone says to me is “I don’t have time to train” – but you do! And the hashtag #noexcuses plays a big part in my training. The day doesn’t have to start at 7am – there’s 5am and 6am too!

What did you do before?
I was a reception class teacher, did a bit of rugby coaching and was a children’s cross country coach for 10 years after university. 

Did you have to do any business courses or training for your business?
I have been studying over two years for my qualifications. I have level 2 and 3 gym and personal training qualifications, and am just completing this month my outdoor fitness training, children’s toolkit and specialising in
TRX and pre and postnatal exercise. Honestly though, my classes and the remote bespoke training plans I write for people who want to set new race distances and targets for themselves come from my first-hand experience. I have run all distances from 5k–100km ultra marathons. I’ve run back-to-back endurance events over five days, I’ve juggled four kids, ultra training plans and a job, and consistently placed top 10 in my events. I’m always striving to learn more and better myself by taking on new challenges so I can be the best trainer for whatever my client chooses to undertake. I can’t expect or ask something of someone if I haven’t done it, tried it, failed at it and gone back and tried again. First-hand experience trumps all and I truly believe in quality not quantity when it comes to training and exercise .

What is the best part of it? And the worst? 
The best part is seeing people who doubt themselves and their abilities smash sessions and getting an email or phone call at the end of a client's race or set of classes saying: “I did it.” That is a magical thing! Setting realistic goals and seeing people reach them and be inspired to dream big excites me so much!
     It's rewarding seeing mums who haven’t slept and haven’t spoken to another adult for four days, turn up not sure if they can speak let alone do a circuit class, and they leave buzzing, smiling and mentally so much happier! That’s what it’s all about....
     The worst part is carrying my heavy kit across fields – especially my secret weapon, my jump box!

Who is your idol?
My idol is George. No explanation needed. I am who I am now because of him (and the way my other kids coped and loved him – there’s nothing that comes close to that).

How is George?  
George is doing really well. He’s been in remission for two years now. He has Tourette’s and sensory processing disorder, which have been closely linked with the trauma of his cancer journey, but he’s in a great school and loves life so much. We learn and grow together every day. He’s a very special, happy, loving boy and we remind ourselves how lucky we are all the time that he’s here with us.

 

What are your goals for the future? 
Personal goals for the year training wise… I want to beat my 100km time next year and I want to focus on Spartan Obstacle Course Racing – I would love to podium in that! So more strength work and lots miles ahead! Business wise, I really want to push the race training plan side and help people who can’t regularly make classes to fit exercise and goal setting into their lives! The world is your gym! I am also going to start offering strength and conditioning classes to children’s sports teams to help with body awareness and the need for core stability and overall fitness not just sport play.
     The village and the local community rallied round when we were in great need as a family and it’s them who have inspired and enabled us to get through the last few years. Now I can build on that strength and if seeing
me take on a new crazy challenge inspired people to get out there and achieve a new goal, and get fitter and stronger for their life, then that’s brilliant! Thank you. 

Anything else we don't know about you?
I am addicted to Liquorice Allsorts!

What's on your bedside table right now?
An entire Lego city that’s bought to me every morning at 6am to delight me and a box with “hope” on the outside that contains all the gold leaves George gained in his first year at school following his cancer. It reminds me every day to wake up and embrace the day!

What's your ideal weekend?
A Friday night homemade chilli in front of the fire, a race or early morning long run and Sunday mornings at the rugby club with the boys or watching Isabelle play netball for the Magnets. Always ending with a big fat roast at the Old Bell in Woburn and a yummy glass of Sauvignon!

For more info, visit www.Fitiqforlife.com
Email  Lou@fitiq.co.uk
FB @fitiqlou