You’re not alone!
Sue Timmis spent years working in a sedentary academic job, and after a decade of struggling with osteoarthritis, her overall fitness had really suffered.
She’d kept going with Pilates and swimming, but it wasn’t enough.
She knew she had to do more to build the strength she needed.
She was also experiencing injuries, including sprained ankles and back problems.
She wanted to get stronger. But joining a small group felt a little daunting.
Would she be able to keep up? Would people judge her?
Sue started training with me individually in September 2024 before joining one of our small groups a few weeks later.
And she’s never looked back!
Today :
She feels stronger
Much less prone to injuries
Much more confident about pushing herself and trying new things
In fact, she’s discovered that she really enjoys challenging herself!
Here are 4 things Sue’s journey reminds us about getting stronger.
1/ You don’t have to be the fittest person in the room.
One of Sue’s initial worries was being judged by other people in the group.
But she’s found that actually the sessions are friendly and uncompetitive, with everyone encouraged to work at their own level.
There’s no pressure to keep up with someone else. Your progress is your own.
And when you feel comfortable enough to give things a go, you might surprise yourself with what you can do.
2/ Individual attention still matters in a small group.
Just because you train alongside other people doesn’t mean you should be left to figure things out for yourself.
Our coaches demonstrate, guide and encourage everyone, offering alternatives and individual support where needed.
For Sue, this has also been particularly important when returning to training after a recent operation.
Having the right guidance helps you work at a level that suits you, while continuing to build strength and confidence.
3/ Progress comes from having a plan.
Every week has a different theme, and our rolling programme means we revisit themes every 2–3 months.
That gives you the chance to practice, build on what you’ve learned and see your progress over time.
There’s variety to keep things interesting, but enough familiarity to help you improve.
Because getting stronger isn’t about doing something completely different every session. It’s about building on what you’ve done before.
4/ Enjoying your training makes a difference.
Sue describes her weekly sessions as a core part of her life that she really values and looks forward to.
And that’s something we love hearing!
The friendly atmosphere, the community and the opportunity to meet different people all help make training about more than exercise.
It’s a place to challenge yourself, share the experience with others and have a good time along the way.
And now?
Sue has made strength training a valued part of her week.
She feels stronger, more confident and less worried about trying something new.
I’m so pleased she’s found a way of training that works for her, and we love seeing her continue to challenge herself.
Because you don’t need to be super fit, competitive or confident before you join a group!
You just need the right environment to help you get there.
Well done Sue!! Keep it up! You’re a great encouragement to others around you too 
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