Matt Brennan Interview

Interview with Matt Brennan (MB Fitness) by Tom @ www.foresight-fitness.co.uk

TG: Hi Matt, thanks for being interviewed. Could you start off by telling us a little about your background in the wellbeing industry?

MB: Hi Tom, it all started in 2002, I had picked up so many injuries from football, two which lead to unnecessary operations, so I wanted to learn more about my body, and how I could rehab these injuries without surgery. Whilst doing my reserach, I came across Premier training, and decided to re-train and enroll on the Premier diploma course. From there I set up MB Fitness, where I went to people’s houses for PT and massage. After two years I set up my first personal training studio. In 2007, I accepted the a role at Ipswich Town FC as their first team masseur, In 2008, I set up Grange Fitness on the outskirts of Ipswich, then just this month, I moved MB Fitness into a new functional training gym.
TG: Can you tell us a little about your gym and how it is different to the mainstream chain gyms?
MB: Well, as a trainer there is nothing more boring then standing next to a client on the treadmill pressing buttons, so I wanted to give the people of Ipswich something different, and after a lot of different training courses, hours brainstorming, and a few trips to some of the best gyms in the country (the one that was closest to my ideas was the underground training station in the north west) I came up with a gym that offers so much. Yes we have treadmills, bikes, rowers etc, people expect this, we also run regular fitness classes, but where our uniqueness in Suffolk comes into play, is the metabolic resistance training classes, where we swing on monkey bars, flip tyres, pull sledges and basically functionally train! this type of training burns calories at a great rate, plus also increases strength and power at a much faster rate too, all this whilst having fun!
TG: What are your top 5 weight loss tips?
MB: 1. Set realistic and achievable goals.
2. Train regularly, intensely, and keep it varied.
3. Try to eat as many natural foods as possible – stay away from processed foods!
4. Have someone you can talk to about your fat loss problems, like a mentor or trainer
5. Stay away from the scales otherwise you will become obsessed with what the scales show
TG: What part does nutrition have to play in weight loss?

MB: From my previous clients results, it plays a massive part of weight loss. Unless you combine training and good nutrition you will not maximise your weight loss chances. So many of my clients think they are eating healthily, however a food diary normally puts that claim to shame, once they put a little effort into planning and preparing their meals, the weight loss speeds up!
TG: How important is effective communication between personal trainer and client and how do you build this?

MB: I think it is a fundamental part of a good business for the trainer and for the client in achieving their goals. The way I build this is by being honest and upfront from the start. By setting realistic goals, and if a client isn’t doing their part, telling them, I think the client appreciates this and instantly increases their trust in me. If a member of my gym doesn’t come in for a while, I send a polite email reminding them of their goals and in most cases this is the kick up the backside my members are waiting for!
TG: How do you go about setting effective goals with your clients?

MB: I assess my clients every two months. We then set goals and agree how many sessions it will take to reach them. Two months later, If my client reaches their goals I reward them with extra PT sessions. If they do as I say but dont reach their goals for some reason, I still reward them with PT sessions for the effort the put in.
TG: How do you monitor their progress towards these goals?

MB: We have regular updates to check that the client is happy with the exercises and type of training they are following. If they are unhappy for any reason (exercise too hard, not enjoyable) we address this straight away and try a different approach to reaching the goals.
TG: What do you feel are the most important traits of a good personal trainer?

MB: Knowledge is essential, an understanding of your clients lives and how different people are is an advantage but as mentioned above, a good communicator is a must.
TG: Tell us a bit about what the future holds for you?
MB: Well, my immediate future lies with keeping my current members happy whilst trying to build up MB Fitness into the best training zone in the county! This year I would like to expand my knowledge so I can continue changing my clients lives! Going forward, I may look at taking the “MB Fitness empire” further afield, however after this last venture which took a lot of time and energy, a little more family time is needed.
TG: Thanks for your time Matt, and we wish you all the best for the future!

Being stretched by another man!

One of my favourite things on the internet right now is sites like Groupon and Tickles. Recently I purchased a Thai Yoga massage via one of these sites. Basically, you can buy the daily deal at a massively discounted price.

I am always up for different types of therapies (I also have a voucher for a fish feet pedicure) so was looking forward to trying a Thai Yoga massage. Now, I have had something similar before in the Maldives - but back then it was a 7 stone female walking along my back, not a fully grown man as I was about to find out!

So, today I turned up at my therapist Sudheesh's house and he led me to his treatment room. It was a big airy, well decorated, traditional room, with a thin mattress on the floor used as as the treatment couch.

After a brief description of what I was about to go through, it was action time! I laid down on the mattress and Sudheesh started on my feet and calves, his whole body weight was pushing through my little legs - wow! There are no oils used (not unless you request it for the Indian head massage part as I did) and it's a completely different feeling and type of massage to what I give and to treatments I would usually have.

It's more like an extreme stretching class or as Sudheesh describes it, Yoga for lazy people - and when it comes to stretching this is something I am ashamed to admit I am!

Anyway, after having the feeling my hips were going to pop out along with a few discs, we were closing in on the finale - the Indian head massage! Some people are not too keen on their face, head and neck being touched, but I love it - and even though I was being pummeled by a man - I still enjoyed it!

How do I feel now? Well its only 3 hours later, but I definitely feel relaxed - more relaxed than I have for a long time. I have an ongoing hip flexor problem, which this morning was sore, and it isn't now! My back and hips in general feel a lot more flexible, as do my feet!

I would recommend this treatment to anybody, but you have to expect a bit of pain, so if your pain threshold isn't too high, then you probably won't get the same benefits that I am feeling.

If you have a general injury that you are looking to get fixed then you are probably best going to a massage therapist (me!!) or a physio, but for general aches and pain or tightness, then this is a great alternative, and a fantastic experience.

As I am a lazy stretcher, I will be going back to Sudheesh in a few weeks for another treatment and see it as an on-going programme for me, and hopefully a discussion on how I can use him and his treatment to benefit my clients.

www.ayurvedicthaiyogamassage.com