There is a new personal trainer in Frome and his message is clear - exercise and living healthily does NOT have to be hard work. In fact one of the biggest mistakes Sam Grove says people make, and why they give up, is that it has to be painful to work out.

You can contact him HERE but Nub News asked him for some of his thoughts about what makes and breaks personal training, along with some stuff about him.

So, how long have you been in the business of making people feel better about themselves ?

I have been doing some form of fitness instruction or personal training since 2003 when I got my qualifications. I worked in gyms and leisure facilities in Islington in North London for 12 years in what, looking back now, was an unusual and exciting venture to give the general public and hard to reach communities access to training, instruction and support for their fitness and overall health.

In 2015 I got my qualification to deliver exercise on referral (what's called a level 3 for personal trainers) and  began a new role working on a weight management and exercise on referral scheme based in Islington and Camden.

The programme still involved training sessions in leisure centre gyms but also included classes in nutrition and well being, walks in local parks, and exercise classes. I loved getting to know people in a non competitive and supportive setting and helping them get fitter and healthier. Above all I loved the social aspect of the scheme. Exercise is more fun with other people especially and particularly when the activities are based on cooperation. The work was tremendously rewarding. 

And why are you now in Frome ?

I am 43 and moved to the Frome area with my partner when Covid hit. For the last three years I have been the primary career of my young son—now three years old. Now he is old enough to go to nursery three days a week I am looking to get back into working again in health and fitness. I am particularly excited about starting work in Frome—a town with a strong and active community.

Why do you work in the fitness industry ?

I work in the fitness industry because I passionately believe in its importance. Most things in life, particularly when it comes to interventions in our health, come with certain costs or drawbacks. Exercise, so long as it is done safely, is one of the few things that is unquestionably and without qualification—good for us. And good for us in so many different ways; it makes us more stronger and more active, it improves our stamina and energy levels, it helps us lose weight, builds our confidence, improves our immune system, helps with pain management, improves our posture—the list goes on.

Moreover everyone can benefit from exercise. Convincing people that wouldn't normally exercise or don't believe it's for them, or believe that they aren't capable of exercising is what I enjoy most from my work.

What is the biggest mistake people make in training?

The biggest mistake people make in training is assuming that exercise is something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Exercise simply isn't sustainable if you don't enjoy it and no matter how committed you might be to getting fitter it is nearly impossible to make exercise a fixture in your life if it's not something you like doing.

The best advice I can give someone then is to find things you enjoy doing. This doesn't mean either restricting yourself to one or two things. Most people, I have found, like variety—and there are many many ways to exercise.

If you want some variety in your health journey you can find out more HERE