Jules Birch
I started going to TLA fitness about 18 months ago having seen a flyer advertising the sessions. After the first session, I was an instant convert and now train regularly 3 times a week. I was looking for something different from just pounding a treadmill or flailing at the back of an aerobics class. I love the concept of training outdoors (even in the rain and snow!) and TLA make creative use of the natural terrain and any other obstacles they might find on the way! Certainly no two sessions are ever the same and new ways of exercising are always being introduced!
I have found that the sessions have dramatically improved my basic fitness which benefits other activities I enjoy like running, cycling and swimming. TLA will certainly encourage you to train to your limit and get the most out of each session. I can definitely run faster and do more press-ups now than ever before!
Just as importantly, it is very sociable! It’s been a great way to meet people and there are often BBQ’s or local events that TLA get involved in.
My goals for 2012? Well, I did Blenheim Triathlon this year and obviously I would like to better my time. So I will continue to get outdoors, to stay fit and maybe squeeze just one more press-up out…
Hon To
A colleague at the time had introduced TLA to me, back in October 2010. I wasn’t regularly exercising and found self-motivation lacking – what I needed was a kick up the backside! My main desire was to improve my general fitness (or lack of) and see this improvement follow through to my interest of outdoor walking.
Since joining TLA, I have notice significant improvements in my fitness – the classes are great for general fitness and the 1:1 sessions have been excellent to tailor key areas I wanted to improve on (for specific walks/climbs, etc). The atmosphere is friendly and the sense of community is felt, as you help each other push on to overcome the next set of exercises!
Helen Money
Tom’s enthusiasm and energy makes training fun. Sessions are varied and never boring. Importantly, he gets results.
My goal when I started training with TLA Fitness was to get fit. Despite being a member of a gym the mix of work and having two young children meant that I rarely got there.
My first training session was late January 2011, at which point I struggled to run a mile. A couple of weeks in I signed up to take part in the Oxford Children’s Hospital 5k fun run in March which I completed comfortably. Then in May of this year I completed the Town and Gown 10k fun run.
My objective was to be of a fitness level that maintains health and wellbeing. Having reached this the focus of my training moved to building core strength. My core muscles had weakened significantly during pregnancy affecting posture, my body’s shape and causing back ache. The exercises used have been very effective and my core is certainly a lot stronger now.
What has really surprised me is how much I enjoy training outdoors. That was the bit I was most dubious about, but I love it and would certainly recommend everyone that is training in a gym to try it.
Peter Hughes
Tom and his colleagues run TLA Fitness with a mix of enthusiasm, expertise, patience and humour that I have never experienced in many years of doing various exercise classes. I am constantly surprised as to how varied the classes are and how the very different levels of fitness among the participants are so easily accommodated. Don’t think its an easy ride in the classes, the mix of cardio and bodyweight work will tax the fittest with a level of enjoyment and sense of personal satisfaction that is unequalled.
Becca Bolam
TLA fitness classes are varied, fun and most importantly get you fit! I really enjoy the sessions; no two have ever been the same so they have kept my interest. I couldn’t even do one sit up when I started and now I can keep up with the classes and can even see my stomach muscles developing!