Zia Soothill-Ward

One of the first questions I asked Zia was "for how long do most people sign up for personal training sessions?"   She told me that most people don't leave.

I have had the pleasure of working out with Zia twice a week for almost 9 years. I have a very busy job and large family so keeping fit and healthy was extremely important to me. Paradoxically it is also an extremely difficult thing to keep up given all the commitments. I have held gym memberships for many years in the past but realised that that was just not effective for me at all. Finding an excuse not to go to the gym was just too easy but I very rarely missed an appointment with Zia - even if I were jet lagged after a business trip or feeling rough after a night on the town.

The consistent training has resulted in a complete change in my lifestyle and physique. From an overweight sluggish dad who could not run to the end of the street, I have run a number of 10K events and endurance runs with assault courses for fun.... because I now can!

The process has been fun and extremely rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone at whatever stage in life you are at.

                                                              Tesh P. 43. Development Agent

 

If you are thinking about training with a professional I'd highly recommend Zia. 

I was hesitant at first, however after booking a trial session I wish I'd done it sooner. Zia made me feel very comfortable and helped me understand what I could achieve.

I've been working with Zia since June 2015. During that time I've significantly improved my all round fitness, especially my strength, stamina, energy levels, and as a bonus my posture.

I had the goals of weight loss and improving my fitness in mind, and I couldn't be happier with the results so far.

With her tremendous wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise on the body and mental well-being, Zia will carefully listen to you, your aims and priorities and devise a continually changing and challenging programme, which combined with her easy-going manner and sense of humour feels more like fun than hard work.

She is completely open to your own input and suggestions, but will steer you in such a way that you are achieving much more than you thought possible.

If you were thinking of enlisting the help of a personal trainer, you could not find one better than Zia. If the workload would allow it, I would train with Zia every day. I would recommend everybody just gives it a go - it's been a real revelation for me.

                                         Jit Patel. Co Director. Subway Operations Team

 

I have been seeing Zia for personal training for four years and can honestly say that she is brilliant! We clicked from the start and she quickly understood what I was trying to achieve and how to keep it interesting. She was invaluable when I was preparing for my Land's End to John O'Groats cycling challenge and her extra skills as a sports massage therapist are an absolute saviour. 

She is always on the look out for new training techniques and I have loved the introduction of Metafit, and feel that it's made a real difference to my fitness. 

Zia is a wonderful person and it's all the added extras of her lifestyle tips, extensive knowledge and sense of humour that have come together to make an exceptionally good personal trainer! I always leave my sessions on a high with mind and body back where they need to be and a smile on my face - perfect!

                                                           Liz Millington. Interior Designer

 

Dear Zia 

John and I thank you for all your help and support to John.

In the very short time that we have been lucky enough to have met up with you - end of January this year - the vast difference you have achieved with your knowledge and skill of sports massage and exercises in speeding up the mobility in John's neck and shoulders has been astounding.

Thank you for helping me with a neck and shoulder problem that had developed from helping John up and down from chairs etc and for showing me exercises to improve my strength and body protection for the future - I had been neglecting myself recently!

Also the physiotherapist who has been working with John since last August has been most impressed with what you have achieved and, as he has said, John has moved much further along the road to recovery in the last two months.

It has been a real delight to have met you and, although we are obviously very sorry you are leaving the area, we of course wish you well for the future.

Yours sincerely and with very best wishes for your future happiness and success.

                                                                                  Julia and John N

I have had regular training sessions with Zia for several years; I started in my early 50's and am now  58. I had never engaged in regular exercise and my purpose was to get fitter and stronger before it was 'too late'. When I started I had minimal core strength and balance, but it did not take long for me to notice the difference that my weekly sessions with Zia have made and continue to make.

Zia is very organised and provides a varied, but personalised exercise program - no two sessions are ever the same, so there is no chance of becoming bored with repetition. The range of exercises ensures that every part of you body gets worked and Zia maintains a great balance in pushing you just to your limit without going too far. She never criticizes or questions your performance, but gives tremendous positive encouragement, always making you feel that you are achieving more than you might have hoped. I know that she works with a wide range of ages and capabilities across both sexes and my husband has also found Zia's programs very helpful when in need of a revitalisation boost. Her extensive qualifications and knowledge of all aspects of the body means she can adapt exercise programs to work around and improve weaknesses or injuries, including massage when needed.

On a personal level, I now have real core strength and can complete many exercises which I couldn't even attempt when I started and never really believed I ever would. I have always looked forward to my sessions with Zia and will miss them greatly. I would thoroughly recommend Zia to anyone wishing to keep fit and active and I wish her every success in her new venture and new home in Devon.

                                                                                         Sue Moody

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I was forced to start training when I was 55 years of age by my son. I had never really done any exercise before. Zia helped me to focus on strength, balance and flexibility. I didn't really appreciate it at the time but 9 years on the only regret I have is that I should have started earlier. Getting older things start to hurt more and flexibility is something that you are more conscious about, Zia's sessions are always slightly different which keeps it interesting.

Zia has a great knowledge base and is keen to investigate any new ailments that I have. She is not only qualified as a masseuse but works in new exercises to my sessions to give me confidence that I am being proactive about any issues I am developing. I broke my leg a few years ago which was devastating for me. Zia worked closely with the physiotherapist to work in the best exercise and massages which led to my speedy rehabilitation and now I am catching buses and booking my holidays which at one point did not believe I would ever be able to do again.

Maintaining my fitness level is really important to me now, especially when I compare myself to so many around me. Doctors who have been investigating issues with my bone density have been most impressed and encouraging of my boxing sessions with Zia at the age of 66.I thoroughly enjoy it all.

                                                                                           Mrs J P

 

I approached Zia earlier this year when I was looking for a personal trainer to help with improving my fitness and for weight loss.

I chose Zia as she took time to discuss what I was looking for and hoping to achieve with a trainer. She was friendly and approachable while keeping focused on what was required. Zia helped me with feeling confident and pushed me to where I wanted to be by knowing what worked for me....not a set way of exercising that I had to fit in with. My sessions were tailored around me.

Overall, I lost weight and became more confident not only in how I looked but in all areas of my life! I can honestly say I would recommend Zia to anyone who is looking for that push to make changes in your physical fitness as well as your confidence and well being.                                                                                                               

                                                                                            Suzanne A

 

I was very unfit when I met Zia ten years ago.  It seems a miracle that I have seen her once a week ever since, but Zia makes training seem fun as well as it being effective.  At 54 and 5' 6" I weigh between 8st 10lb and 9st 2lb (usually after Christmas), and I have excellent core body strength, which is vital as I have a bad back. Zia varies my routine, she does exercises for fitness and strength, and it is comforting to know that she is very experienced and really knows what she is doing.  Zia also is an excellent sports masseuse, which I sometimes ask for to relieve stress rather than because I have done anything very sporty. If I didn't see Zia I would never take a moments exercise, but she has really made a massive difference to my quality of life,  Indeed seeing her has probably extended my life by years.  Thank you Zia!

                                                                 Leanda de Lisle.  Writer

 

I hated doing regular exercise in the gym. Routines became boring in no time. I wasted money on expensive gym memberships over several years.

So, I bless the day that I found Zia. A personal trainer was the only way forward for me. Surprisingly I found that I quite enjoyed my exercises with Zia and they are never dull or boring or even routine.

This has been the most effective and cost effective exercise. A truly sound investment in me!

                                                                                   T.M. - 10 years on

 

Zia Soothill-Ward has been our company personal trainer for over three years.

Recognising that a healthy body creates a healthy mind we have embraced Zia's varied and individualised routines every week. She knows just how and when to encourage and when to push (though never too much!).

She is a treasue trove of health and fitness knowledge which has resulted in greater strength and flexibility for the team, coupled with a better mental balance.

Her easy going, friendly personality creates a relaxed comfortable atmosphere whilst remaining focused to the routine in hand. 

I would recommend her without reservation.

                                                Michelle Doolan, Brand Architekts Limited

Dear Zia 

You came into my life 10 years ago at a milestone birthday when my fitness and self esteem was at an all time low. With understanding and knowledge you introduced me to exercise and strength training, no judgement, just great enthusiasm and encouragement. I have never looked back. You bring your energy and professionalism to every session and always manage to make me go that extra mile (or lunge!).

Thank you for your wisdom, experience and inspiration (and of course friendship).

                                                                                          Karen Barlow