Susan Swarbrick

I started my first boot camp at SJ Fitness on July 27, 2009 – and fell in love with getting fit. Before that I hadn’t exercised in almost five years. I was in appalling shape. I couldn't even climb a single flight of stairs without getting out of breath.
At my first weigh-in my chest-waist-hip measurements read as follows: 40-37-47 (yup, 47-inch hips…), while my body mass index (BMI), the measure of body fat based on height and weight, was 32.4, making me clinically obese.

Within less than five months I lost 29lb (or just over two stone) and my chest-waist-hips measurements now read: 36-30-37 (four inches from my chest, seven from my waist and 10 from my hips).

My BMI is now 26.6, down 5.8 points, and within reach of my healthy range. I intend to keep going until I achieve that all important BMI number of under 25.

One of my biggest achievements has been mastering running. If you had told me this time last year I would be training to run a half marathon I would have laughed (I took taxis everywhere). In fact, I’m smiling as I write this as it still seems incredibly surreal.

In the spirit of my progress, I decided to join the weekly Saturday running club at SJ Fitness. On that first outing (September 19, 2009) I ran for a minute, then walked for a minute to build up my stamina. It was tough but I loved the challenge.

Soon I started to see a huge difference. On one occasion I managed to keep going for six minutes; on another for 10. Then came my breakthrough. It was the final day of my fourth boot camp and I decided to go running for my personal training session.

I wanted to try to match my previous personal best of running non-stop for 10 minutes, but in the end surpassed that and ran for 45 minutes without stopping, covering almost four-and-a-half miles. It was November 27, exactly four months to the day since I started. There could be no better testament to how far I’d come.

On December 13, 2009, I did my first race, the 5k Glasgow Santa Dash, and completed it in 32 minutes without stopping – in a full Santa suit.

The team at SJ Fitness are fantastic and the support they have given me over the days, weeks and months has been amazing. Particularly helpful has been the advice on food and nutrition (while I liked to think I was fairly educated about healthy eating, I was in fact clueless, and their guidance has been so valuable).

Because SJ Fitness is a boutique fitness studio, you get to know everyone (and the trainers get to know you, all your little nuances and help you through those tough times). There's always a great atmosphere. I would thoroughly recommend it.

Mandi

This is Mandi, a personal training client. We used Herbalife nutrition and exercise with Mandi, to get her into her new shape! She is now 4 stone lighter and 5 dress sizes smaller!

Jean

Jean attends Legs, Bums & Tums classes Monday and Thursday

I have been going to SJ classes for 3 years now. It was hard at the start but now I keep up with everyone in the class. I have lost 2 dress sizes and managed to keep myself fit and active. I would recommend this class to anyone who is new or a regular exerciser — there are all shapes and sizes here!

Simmy Bajwe

Simmy attends Legs, Bums & Tums, Pilates and Salsa

I have been attending SJs classes since February 2005, I try to do at least 2 to 3 classes a week. So far I have managed to drop a dress size which has resulted in me having gained more confidence because I now feel a lot better about myself.

I would like to lose some more weight and tone up all my flabby bits.
The training I have received so far has been second to none. I have been to exercise classes before and found that I have only stuck to them for 2 months maximum because I felt that the support and encouragement that I needed to continue was lacking. I have been to S-Js classes for 12 months now and look forward to them each time. SJ is very supportive, and even with someone who is shy like myself, she makes sure that I am included in the group. SJ provides a varied number of classes so there is always one that I can fit into my personal schedule.

I would rate the classes 10/10. They’re brilliant!!

Would you recommend it to someone else?

Absolutely without a doubt, and I have.

Lynne Crawford

Lynne attends Legs, Bums & Tums class twice a week.

She has done extremely well after only having given birth to her 3rd child 9 months ago! Here are some of Lynne’s emails to me.

“Thanks a lot for your e-mail its so nice to know that you take such a personal interest in the people that you train. It makes a world of difference to know that some one out there cares about the way you look and feel.”

“Well all the hard work is working as one of the girls at the class last night commented on how she can see a big difference around my tummy area which was lovely to hear, cause it gives you a little boost to keep putting all the effort in. I am actually feeling so confident within myself now and can see and feel a huge difference to every area of my body.

So a big thank-you for all your help in letting me achieve this honey”