Testimonials
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“I noticed that rather than the lethargy I used to get around that time of the day, going into the studio after my workout left me buzzing.”
What struck me first was the intensity of the training. My trainer Mark Woodcock had me doing endless circuits and sprints. I soon realised that I was going to have to change my lifestyle if I wanted to succeed. I’m on the radio in the afternoons and I noticed that rather than the lethargy I used to get around that time of the day, going into the studio after my workout left me buzzing. I felt more organised and my work improved as a result. I’m going to keep my targets interesting – just looking in the mirror isn’t enough anymore thanks to Mark Woodcock.
Scott Mills
BBC Radio One broadcaster
“I’ve also been doing boxing with Mark. I love it! You can get all of your aggression out and it strengthens your arms too. What a bonus!”
When Jade Goody left the Big Brother House, she hired a personal fitness trainer to whip her back to a svelte size 10. However two years on and two children later, for Jade it was a simple decision to find a fitness trainer again...
My trainer is Mark Woodcock and he’s been great at setting me a routine to lose weight. I’ve really enjoyed the circuit training that Mark has had me doing. When you’re doing circuits you’re constantly moving and challenging yourself and you don’t have time to get bored or think about anything else. I’ve also been doing boxing with Mark. I love it! You can get all of your aggression out and it strengthens your arms too. What a bonus!
Jade Goody
Reality TV Presenter
“Mark provided me with an excellent workout regime and kept me constantly motivated… I always felt comfortable and felt better about myself from the get go… He is a great trainer!”
I've always been insecure about my weight and the way I looked and decided I wanted to make a change. I never really liked sports and had no idea what exercises I should be doing at the gym so I decided to hire a personal trainer and after my initial consultation with Mark I'm so glad that I did. He provided me with an excellent workout regime and kept me constantly motivated throughout the summer.. I always felt comfortable and felt better about myself from the get go. Not only is he a great trainer, he's also become my friend and at times therapist, as well as dealing with all of my moaning about sit ups like a true gentleman!
Anna Mercer
Harpenden, Hertfordshire
“Mark has a natural ability to make you want to keep pushing yourself.”
Although personal fitness training sessions with Mark are physically tough, he definitely doesn't fit the archaic ‘no pain, no gain’ personal fitness trainer cliché. Instead Mark has a natural ability to make you want to keep pushing yourself, and calmly instills a firm belief in you that you can. Working with Mark was always enjoyable, the training schedule he devised was spot on and the fitness gains were well beyond my expectations.
Jason
Hertford, Hertfordshire
“Mark is more than just a fitness trainer, he is also able to advise on dietary needs and weight loss programs.”
We have really appreciated everything Mark has done for us – it has improved individual fitness levels and awareness, and been a great team bonding exercise. Mark is very professional and always makes the session good fun with plenty of friendly competition to stretch everyone’s fitness levels. He is very knowledgeable on nutrition and science behind fitness training which makes every session very educational and interesting. Mark is more than just a fitness trainer, he is also able to advise on dietary needs and weight loss programs. I would highly recommend Mark to anyone considering making the move to take on a personal trainer. He is very respectable, polite and never late.
WMS Underfloor Heating
Bell Bar, Hertfordshire
“Initially I had decided that I only wanted to work with a female, but after speaking to Mark on the phone, he put me completely at ease.”
I had been unhappy with my body for a while and knew that I needed to do something about it. After searching on the internet I found Mark's website and felt myself drawn to phoning him. Initially I had decided that I only wanted to work with a female (due to feeling a little intimidated by the thought of working out with a male), but after speaking to Mark on the phone, he put me completely at ease and before I knew it I had booked a consultation. Mark is a really lovely person who just wants to help you achieve your goals. He works at the pace which is right for you, constructing a personalised fitness and healthy eating plan. I have just finished a block of twelve sessions and feel so much better about myself. I am definitely going to continue the good routines Mark has put in place. If you are thinking about starting - go for it! You will be in really safe hands.
Rachel
Elstree, Hertfordshire
“I feel so much better all over!”
So, so pleased with achieving my target, I feel so much better all over which is great timing for the holiday! Thanks so much for all your support.
Sarah
Hertford, Hertfordshire
“Mark has been instrumental in providing a tailored program to build up my strength, fitness and body shape!”
I chose Mark as my personal fitness trainer 6 months ago (May 2013) as I prepared for a challenge to row across the Atlantic Ocean. This was an excellent choice as Mark has been instrumental in providing a tailored program to build up the strength, fitness and body shape needed for this type of physical challenge. This has not only included a variety of challenging (and fun) personal training sessions, but a structured weights program and diet regime. Mark is a personal trainer of the highest calibre, he clearly enjoys what he does, and his natural energy and enthusiasm for helping people achieve their personal fitness goals is a great motivator.
Scott Etherington
Ocean Rower. Hertford, Hertfordshire
“As soon as I met Mark I was put at ease and as well as being incredibly knowledgeable he is extremely friendly.”
I was a bit hesitant prior to hiring a personal trainer, as I had a vision of an arrogant person looking down on me! As soon as I met Mark I was put at ease and as well as being incredibly knowledgeable he is extremely friendly. Mark understands exactly what is required to tailor my programme to my individual needs. I have only been with Mark for 2 months, but I have already lost over 2 stone, dropping from 14st 11lb to 12st 9lb and I am feeling fitter by the day. I would highly recommend Mark to anyone who asked!!
Pat Reynolds
Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
“A combination of planning and encouragement was exactly what I needed.”
After finally making the decision to get my body in shape, I found Mark via a friend. Over the next 18 months Mark managed to help me to lose 3 stone and sort out my attitude to eating and exercise. A combination of planning and encouragement was exactly what I needed and Mark provided fantastic guidance and support. My husband and I still train with Mark each week and he has become a good friend and a crucial part of our well-being. The weight has stayed off and I am fitter and happier with myself now in my 40's than I ever was in my 20's and 30's. I would recommend Mark to anyone wanting to get fit, have fun and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
Sarah
Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
“I can honestly say I had never pushed myself so hard as I did when I was working with Mark..”
As a longhaul airline pilot, my rather sedentary job (and irregular eating and sleeping patterns) meant that as I reached 42 I was overweight and needed some nutritional help and a change to my fitness regime and exercise methods. I still played football but was finding it harder going as the years advanced and the inches and pounds crept on slowly.
Mark came along for a free consultation and was very engaging , thorough, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We discussed and set goals and so I began my program initially with a package of 12 sessions spread over 4 months, mainly because of my odd work patterns and being overseas for some periods. Having just reached the end of that period I find myself 22lbs lighter, aerobically fitter, stronger in the quads and upper body in particular and ready to start another football season.
I’ve not reached my target yet as I’ve got another 18lbs to go but I’m confident that with some more sessions with Mark’s help, I can get there. That’s why I’ve just booked another block of sessions.
I found that being a member of a gym, I would always find a reason not to go when at home (too tired, missed seeing the kids etc) however with the next appointment with Mark firmly in the diary ... and no escape from facing reality, it proved enough of an incentive to work hard and keep those pounds coming off.
The sessions were always varied, fun, tiring (of course) and Mark explained the reason for each exercise and ensured I kept my technique and form good. I felt motivated throughout each one. I can honestly say I had never pushed myself so hard as I did when I was working with Mark. I didn’t know I had that level of effort in me!
I would fully recommend Mark’s services and if you want to lose weight / get fitter / tone up / change your eating / change your life , then it would be a wise move to consider giving Mark a call. Go on...you can do it !!
Pat Reynolds
Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
“We look forward to his visits and we always feel a surge of well-being afterwards – in fact we could not do without him“
We found Mark by trawling the internet after our then personal trainer left to go and live in Derbyshire. At the time we thought he was irreplaceable until we met Mark and we soon realised we could not have made a better choice.
We are each in our mid eighties and Mark has been training us for the past 12 years on a weekly basis. As a result, we feel much younger than our years, we have heightened energy levels and are able to do things we would never have thought possible at our age. His program for us, which is different each week, includes cardiovascular training and a wide range of upper and lower body stretching and strengthening exercises, with an emphasis on balance and muscle memory which is of vital importance as one gets older.
Marks sports science degree has given him a wide knowledge of all the muscle groups and he is able to pinpoint sources of pain or discomfort caused by tightened muscles or tendons such as an IT Band problem for example, which my husband has had but which, happily, Mark has been able to remedy with specific exercises.
It would be hard to find a more reliable, punctual, accommodating and companionable person than Mark. We look forward to his visits and we always feel a surge of well-being afterwards - in fact we could not do without him.
Mr & Mrs Strauss
Harpenden, Hertfordshire
“Mark devised an exercise plan for me to follow, tailor-made for my individual needs as well my ability.”
My training with Mark started when I was struggling to get the required standard of fitness to pass the selection process to enter the British Army. I had been deferred due to my running time and decided to see if a personal trainer would be able to improve my situation. Mark carried out a consultation and immediately gave me the confidence and motivation to start the programme. He devised an exercise plan for me to follow, tailor-made for my individual needs as well my ability. This was a varied plan, which kept me interested. I was also given an eating regime; this was a little more difficult to keep!! I looked forward to my weekly sessions with Mark and found him to take a genuine interest in my progress as well as my hobbies and career plan. To my amazement, within weeks my friends were commenting on my appearance and the greatest result is that I have passed selection and enter the British Army next week.
Simon Hicks
Southgate
“Mark is very knowledgeable about his work; he is professional and a great motivator keeping each session fresh and different.”
For sometime I had thought about employing a personal trainer, the trouble is when you see them in the Gym they tend to be a bit “full on” – that wasn’t for me. I was introduced to Mark via a mutual acquaintance. He visited me and my wife for a consultation (free) as well as a health check. He was very approachable and we explained what our goals were – generally to get a bit fitter, slimmer and healthier – the usual. However, we explained that we did not want to become slaves to the regime which he fully understood and accepted. At our first session Mark started us off on a series of exercises, all fully supervised and in the comfort of our own home. He had also prepared a new diet for us – individual ones as we had explained some of our food likes/dislikes previously. Within the first six months I had lost 9 pounds and looked like a well toned Greek God (no seriously I lost the weight and felt much fitter and more supple). It has now been 14 months since we started working with Mark. We both feel much better for it. As well as being a thoroughly nice bloke, he is very knowledgeable about his work; he is professional and a great motivator keeping each session fresh and different. You feel very comfortable working with him. If anyone has any worries about using Mark – don’t, you won’t regret it.
Michael and Paula Brown
Barrington
“Mark worked out a healthy eating plan and an exercise program tailored to my needs.”
In May 1995 I was diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis. By March 2006 I was overweight, very unfit and had high blood pressure. It was then when I decided to do something about it. I decided that I needed extra help, so I arranged a consultation with Mark. He worked out a healthy eating plan and an exercise program tailored to my needs. I found the first couple of training sessions with Mark very hard but I carried on and by November 2006 I had lost two stone in weight and my fitness levels were much better. My blood pressure is now normal and I exercise five times a week with one of those training sessions with Mark. I could not have done this without Marks help and encouragement. With Mark's knowledge of how to manage my illness I knew he would not push me beyond my capabilities. Also, in November 2006 I decided to do a ten-mile sponsored walk for the National Osteoporosis Society. Mark put in the time to train me to do the distance, and then very kindly did the walk with me.
Carol Pont
Stevenage
“Mark has helped me to get back in shape and also improved my confidence in myself and my abilities.”
Mark has helped me to get back into shape after both my pregnancies with a fun and varied diet and fitness programme. Not only has he motivated and inspired me to enjoy exercise and healthy eating - but he has also helped me to improve my confidence in myself and my abilities.
Debbie Dennis
Welwyn Garden City
“I did it with Marks help.”
I took me a while to realise that a total lack of personal motivation on the exercise front would be a problem when it came to a tight deadline and tough target.
This is when I took a step into the unknown and hired a personal trainer, Mark. Thank goodness I did, Mark gave me a full assessment and took loads of measurements, he discussed my goals and set about producing me a personalised training plan. The plan involved diet and exercise....not really a surprise but the structure really worked, and meeting once a week was the motivation I needed, the plan was constantly reviewed and weekly targets set............in short I did it, with Marks help!
Jane Rendall
Hertfordshire
“I just want to thank Mark for everything and I most certainly will be keeping up with the personal fitness training. Let’s plan the next challenge….”
I gave Mark a short time to get me into shape for my honeymoon, it was a huge task! When we first met for the initial consultation/fitness assessment, Mark was so honest and frank with me and said 'this will be tough!' But I knew I really wanted it...
I stuck to his training plan, took on his nutritional guidance and got my head focused and ready. Mark was absolutely right it was tough but he helped me through every step of the way. I enjoyed every single training session that he planned out for me and I even liked the random ‘alphabet exercises’ that he would throw my way. Everything was so well thought out, and he got to know me personally to get the very best out of me and to determine my strengths and weaknesses. Mark is so caring and has an oustanding knowledge of my hip condition which meant that he was able to adjust the fitness training accordingly. I also ran several 5k's with ease, which after 4 years of no running was an amazing achievement for me.
I just want to thank Mark for everything and I most certainly will be keeping up with the personal fitness training with his good self. Let's plan the next challenge....
Leanne Halligan
Wheathampstead Hertfordshire
“Mark eased me back into activity through well thought out, fun & challenging circuit training which increased in difficulty & intensity over the weeks as I became fitter, stronger & lighter!“
Before working with Mark, I hadn't worked out or really done much exercise at all for about 10 years and my diet was a mess... Mark eased me back into activity through well thought out and fun & challenging circuit training which increased in difficulty & intensity over the weeks as I became fitter, stronger & lighter! This, coupled with Mark's expert advice around nutrition, and holding me accountable every week with weigh ins & motivational talk, really helped to keep me on track. Mark is a really great guy who instantly makes you feel comfortable and at ease and he's one of the most positive people I've ever met!
Ultimately, working with Mark has given me the confidence to get back into the gym, keep my diet on track (mostly!), and continue improving my health & fitness for the long term.
Thank you Mark 🙂