Tim Hawes PT

I first starting working with Tim three years ago, having just started road cycling and finding even the beginners group in our local cycling club a struggle. ​Initially, Tim came out to ride with me on my bike and within an hour he had made a massive difference with simple tips, hints and most of all, encouragement. What I didn't know was that meeting him would open up a whole new world which included not only improved road cycling technique, but truly bespoke personal training which led to me being persuaded to learn to swim, completing my first triathlon (with Tim shouting encouragement from the sidelines), taking part in the London To Paris bike ride, climbing Mont Ventoux in France and tackling the iconic Sa Calobra in Mallorca! He is himself an extremely strong cyclist and triathlete so understands exactly what I want to achieve but will often suggest things that I have never even felt capable of doing and yet, somehow, I find myself agreeing and actually enjoying them then bursting with pride after having completed them.

I feel strong, fit and almost invincible now - and everything he does in our weekly sessions is geared towards helping me improve my running, cycling and swimming but it has also benefited my ballet technique (which he admittedly doesn't have experience in, as far as I know!) but my core strength and balance have improved and my resting heart rate is down to 45bpm, pretty impressive. Don't be fooled, I am in no way super-human and when I met Tim I was a mess after a difficult year personally, but he has been instrumental in changing the way I perceive myself and gently encouraging me to take on challenges which will benefit me both physically and mentally. I look forward to the time we spend together - he is relaxed, fun and always full of ideas to make the work interesting - I feel very lucky indeed to be one of his clients.

Judy Armstrong