Personal trainers in London: 14 of the best to help kick you into shape

It's nearly September and that back-to-school-feeling is starting to settle in. One of the best hangovers of our education, is the desire to make resolutions at the start of the academic year regardless of the fact you left school at least ten years ago.

These resolutions often revolve around going to the gym more and eating less, but unless you're very self-motivated it can be difficult to sustain such a regime. This is where personal trainers come in - these exercise gurus are here to education and improve our workouts. It's easy to get into the cycle of going to the gym to lift a few dumbbells and take a short jog on the treadmill, only to return home and scoff a bar of chocolate.

So if you're looking for someone to whip you into shape, read our guide to London's best PTs (ijn no particular order) who will help you reach your desired goal.

Watch: Simple steps to a healthier life

Tim Walker

Founder of his own fitness brand Evolve Fitness, Tim recognises the difficulty of juggling fitness with living and working in the city. After completing a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science to extend his knowledge of the body, 13 years down the line Tim is now focused on eradicating - along with his crack team of trainers - the difficulty that some personal trainers unnecessarily place on training. He comments “getting people into the best shape of their lives is everything to me. I love how simple the process is and how drastic the changes can be.”

Cost: Starter pack for 4 weeks - £625

Location: Bouverie Street, Temple, EC4Y; evolvefitness.co.uk

Peter Mac

A firm believer in practising what you preach as a trainer, PMAC Fitness embodies the idea of teamwork, placing emphasis on the relationship that is shared with the client. Peter not only competed in the Yoga Asana World Championships and placed in the top 20, but also competed in the Miami Pro Fitness competition. Both challenges allowed him to gain further insight into nutrition and other aspects of successful training. He is currently working with Reggie Yates.

Cost: 10 sessions £750

Location: Across London; pmacfitnes.com

Shaun Stafford

Shaun has achieved copious amounts; he is a strength and conditioning specialist with an MA from Oxford University. He’s not only worked with Spencer Matthews, prior to his cover on Men’s Health magazine, but has also trained Mike Worsley, the England and Harlequins rugby player. Shaun is well educated within the field which enables his clients to achieve the best possible results.

Cost: Upon enquiry

Location: 6 Trump Street, EC2V 8AF; cityathletic.co.uk

Hollie Grant

A determined young lady, Hollie Grant is everything you look for in a personal trainer. She is an award winning pilates instructor and recognised for her “Model Method” workout. Having ran 7 marathons in 7 days as a charitable favour, she has pushed herself to limits which we would all love to achieve. Her training tends to be aimed towards women, shaping their body and building their self-confidence. She believes exercise is key in improved mental and physical health.

Cost: 10 sessions £1000

Location: Pilates PT, New King’s Road, SW6; pilatespt.co.uk

Ruben Tabares

An ex-Royal Ballet dancer turned 400m hurdler, Tabares approaches fitness with grace, but also incredible pace and power. His clients are varied, from David Haye, who he was training before he became Heavyweight Champion of the World, to P Diddy and Tinie Tempah. However he doesn’t just stick to the stars, he also trains business people and those looking to lose weight. He puts his clients through a process called ‘adaptation’ for two months, which strengthens the tendons and ligaments in joints, and conditions the muscles, so you can start training without getting injured. He then moves on to do strengthwork, as it makes your ability to do sport easier. Through a carefully planned programme he is renowned for achieving results.

Cost: Sessions from £200

Location: Mandarin Oriental, SW1; mandarinoriential.com

Louise Parker

Louise Parker's ethos is not just about changing your exercise routines, it's about working together to re-wire bad habits and establishing a new ‘normal’. There are definite sacrifices - no alcohol, no sugar - but the team are there to hold your hand when times get tough. Thoughtfully designed programmes range from ‘The Intensive’, ‘Maintenance’, and ‘Optimum weight loss’.

Cost: Six-week programme from £3,799

Location: Sloane Square, SW1; louiseparker.uk.com

Project Me

The name says it all: the team at this independent fitness studio are dedicated to helping you focus on getting the best from yourself. The inviting space is filled with art and even upside down flower plant lights in the reception. There are a diverse range of trainers to choose from depending on what you want to get out of the sessions. They will create a bespoke plan to help you become a healthier version of yourself. They also offer Project Me also offers regular yoga classes, pilates, Tabata and a range of therapies including acupuncture.

Cost: 8 sessions a month cost £368.

Location: Crouch End, N8; profect-me.co.uk​

David Valentine-Jones

David Valentine-Jones, a former international swimmer, started Sculpt Health & Fitness 7 years ago after working in a corporate gym environment. Sculpt is a team of leading personal trainers in London with an outstanding reputation for building stronger, healthier and more athletic bodies, which now has a team of 11 expert trainers. They cover the whole of London and can tailor to your commitments – if you prefer to train at one of their partnership gyms, the comfort of your own home, or even outdoors, they will meet you there. They offer different packages such as ‘The Fat Burner’, ‘The Body Transformer’ and an online programme called 'Fit not Skinny' designed exclusively for women.

Cost: Upon enquiry

Location: Across London

Marianne 'Golden Girl' Marston

Marianne's personal sessions are tailored to your individual needs, whether you are looking to learn to box, improve your boxing technique, or simply want to get into peak shape. The sessions reflect a true professional boxing workout which includes many of the techniques, exercises and boxing drills that Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve 'USS' Cunningham amongst other top flight sportsmen and women use in their training and competition preparations. As well as boxing training to sculpt and tone your figure fast, the 'Golden Girl' is also a qualified nutritionist.

Cost: 1 hour One-2-One personal session costs £60

Location: London Bridge, SE1;

Geoff Clement

Pure Fitness is a private training facility set in the heart of Shoreditch and Hoxton in fashionable East London, headed up by celebrity master trainer Geoff Clement. Pure Fitness Shoreditch has a 360 fitness programme that includes all areas to lead a functional healthy lifestyle. They have a variety of packages which include ‘Fat loss’, ‘Performance’, ‘Rehabilitation’, and ‘Nutrition’.

Cost: 8 sessions a month costs £600.

Location: Shoreditch, E2; geoffclement.com; purefitnessshoreditch.com

Nick Mitchell

Personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and founder of Ultimate Performance, Nick Mitchell has been hailed as “London’s Best Personal Trainer” by Time Out. Ultimate Performance Personal Training Gyms are high quality and cater to the serious trainer, but also to the person who wants to get something a little extra from their gym sessions.

Cost: Training for 6 Weeks – £249

Location: The City, EC2, Mayfair, W1; nickmitchellblog.com

SIX3NINE

Did you know that your body contains 639 muscles? This is the number that inspired the name of Six3Nine, a fitness secret that’s fast becoming the go to place to achieve your fitness and health goals. Circles and lines are painted on the floor with kettle-bells, free weights, cables and gymnastic equipment filling the rest of space. Once matched with a trainer, they examine your fitness history and create tailor made sessions to help you to make improvements you never thought possible. They look at a person’s entire lifestyle and deliver a program that’s truly bespoke to you.

Cost: 8 sessions a month costs £595.

Location: Covent Garden, WC2; six3nine.com

Twist Studios

If you’re not a fan of having anyone around when pushing yourself to the limit in a Personal Training session then this could be the answer to your personal trainer woes. Whatever your fitness level, or experience at the gym, personal training is tailor-made for you and your goals – for example from losing a few pounds, toning up for a special occasion, or training for a major event.

Cost: 8 sessions a month costs £320.

Location: Forrest Hill, SE23; twiststudios.co.uk

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