Train like the trainers
In just over two years, Jane Woodhead, 41, has taken her fitness to the next level. From being a multi-marathon runner, triathlete and boxing instructor, she has transformed her physique, qualified as a personal trainer and been chosen as the face and body of a sports nutrition brand. Oh, and she holds down a demanding, full-time job.
A former journalist, Jane is now an Account Director at Paver Smith PR where she heads up the consumer and sports division. “Fitness has dominated my adult life,” says Jane, admitting that initially she took a personal training course because she wanted to learn more about the dynamics of her own body. “I wanted to understand fully how to achieve the body you want and the importance and role of nutrition,” says Jane. “I reckoned the best way to expand my knowledge was to learn from the trainers of trainers.”
Flexible training option
As she works full time, Jane needed flexibility in her PT course and she found this with The Training Room (www.thetrainingroom.com). Jane signed up for its six-month blended course, which combines studying at home with attending weekend practical courses After qualifying as a REPs Level 3 personal trainer, she then completed a Les Mills Body Combat instructor course and Extreme Kettle Bell Instructor Course. “When I started the personal training course it was primarily for my own knowledge to apply to my own fitness,” says Jane. “But completing the course renewed my zest for training others.”
Jane was no stranger to teaching. As Merseyside’s first fully qualified female amateur boxing coach, she has a local reputation for getting results from young men and women and taking them to regional and national competition level. “Boxing and combat classes remain my first love but The Training Room course opened up many more opportunities.”
Literally taking shape
Taking on a personal training course when you’re holding down a full-time job is not for the faint-hearted, especially in your early 40s when the discipline of studying and sitting exams is a distant memory! Jane gave up valuable social time and weekend relaxation to study, but it was for a finite amount of time and the wealth of knowledge she gained has set her up for life she believes.
“Like many women, I focused a lot of my time and energy on cardio in the belief that if I picked up weights I’d bulk up,” confesses Jane. “But by implementing the advice given in my course I quickly realised that weights and resistance work are vital to bring about a body shape change, to develop lean muscle and achieve body definition.” In fact, Jane’s body definition is now so good, she has just been chosen as the female ambassador for the UK’s sports nutrition brand Optimus Protein. “I would never have dared bare my torso in a ‘beauty parade’ for a fitness brand before the transition in my own training,” says Jane. “And you could argue that it was pretty daring to line up alongside ladies in their 20s and 30s. But I did and I got the job!”
Knowing no bounds
Jane is director of Smart Boot Camp (www.smartbootcamp.co.uk) and runs these sessions in addition to teaching Spinning ®, Body Combat, Boxing and one-to-one personal training at a number of venues in the Wirral, Cheshire. “Many of my clients work the ‘9-5’ Monday to Friday week so the hours I’m available dovetails nicely with what they can manage. They love the fact I’ve also come from work and can truly identify with their daily work/exercise balance.”
And The Training Room? “I would highly recommend The Training Room course to fitness enthusiasts,” says Jane. “You don’t have to be a trainer afterwards: the knowledge applied to your own fitness and physique goals is worth it alone. The personal training course made me think afresh about my own body and regime: now my enthusiasm for my fitness and that of others knows no bounds.”
