Testimonials

 

Glenn Hawkins – March 2011 to date. In January of 2011 I found myself around seven stone overweight and very unfit. I had been very committed throughout my thirties to avoiding exercise at all costs, to extremely indulgent eating habits and I really started paying the price for this in my forties.  I really struggled to waddle alongside my dog for more than a mile and tying my shoelaces was a real effort. During a weak moment in February I stumbled across a studio cycle class at the Spirit Health club and thought that I’d give it a go.  Laura Banks was leading the class and welcomed her new victim warmly.  Me on a spin bike was not a pretty sight but, surprisingly, I found the experience enjoyable and decided that I’d give it another go as soon as I recovered the use of my legs.  This took a little longer than I expected so Laura suggested that I joined her boxercise class so that she could ensure that I lose the use of my arms also.  Through these classes I not only started to lose weight at a remarkable rate but also met some fantastic new friends. I soon decided to book PT classes with Laura and have continued with this regime since.  Laura has also managed all aspects of my nutrition and I have exchanged beers and curry for a very clean wholefood programme.  The benefits to my health have been remarkable – in under six months I have lost 5 stone, increased my muscle mass to 82%, dramatically reduced my BP from dangerous to very healthy levels and am now running half marathon distances at weekends.  I only expected to lose a few pounds but Laura has guided me every step of the way on a journey where the possibilities seem endless. I will be running the London Marathon next year, have several half marathons booked for this year and have completed a 10k and Spartan obstacle race to date. All of this took a fair degree of commitment but with Laura’s guidance I have enjoyed every moment, however painful, of this
experience so far.

Laura brings a rare combination of knowledge, experience, passion and motivational skills to her training and nutrition programmes. She delivers painful instruction with a smile
and commits fully to her clients achieving their goals.  I am very grateful to Laura for changing my life so much for the better and recommend her without reservation.  If you would like to discuss my experiences with me I would be delighted to hear from you – Laura can put us in touch. ***************************

 

 

Simon Hellowell 2010 to date. I have been training with Laura for over a year now, we have surpassed my original goals & have even bigger ones now! I wanted to lose some weight (I lost 2 stone in total) and run a 10k under 1 hr. So 3 half marathons, a Spartan Obstacle challenge & numerous 10k runs (under  55mins) completed; I am now in training for the London Marathon 2012! I am still amazed at how training with Laura has changed my lifestyle for the better all round. I am a very social person and having the exercise & good nutrition in my life has not made it a struggle to still do what I want to do. I enjoy running with Glenn & Laura, the social side of it is what I like the most. It is fun to get together and head out for a 6 – 10 mile run at the weekends. I exercise 3 x a week now with a long run at the weekend. We have various half marathons, obstacle races and challenges lined up for the next few months now and I cannot wait. Personal Training with Laura is fun, challenging and rewarding. She always has a different workout devised for me each week that targets my cardio, core and strength. We always have targets in mind and she never lets me slip. Training with Laura is more then just a 1 hour session it is total support and knowledge as and when you need it. ********************

 

David Thurman 2011. In the 12 months that I have been a client of Laura’s I have not only exceeded my targeted weight loss by losing 2 stone and my targeted muscle weight percentage increase but in applying her expertise in nutritional matters I have become much more knowledgeable  about the factors that cause fluctuations in weight enabling me to quickly take corrective action to maintain target gains. Her combination of physical training expertise and nutritional acumen gives her a unique base from which to help you achieve your target both of weight loss & strengthening.

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Edel Murphy – September 2011. As a child, and right through to my teenage years, I have always been very active. I played many sports, both competitively and for leisure. But as I hit my 20’s, socialising and going clubbing became my main focus, and exercise fell by the wayside. I was drinking every weekend, waking up the next day and attempting to cure my hangover with greasy, fried foods. These habits only got worse when I decided to go travelling for two years. The binge drinking became more frequent, and so the food habits worsened. The effects and damage I was doing to my body started to become quite clear. I had gained weight, there was an extra layer of jiggle around my belly, my legs had lost all shape, cellulite was appearing on  my legs and bum, and quite simply my clothes did not fit. Something had to be done.

I have joined many gyms over the past few years and have had a few personal trainers, none have compared to Laura. I booked in for 5 Personal Training sessions, and the results I have seen and the benefits I have gained have been amazing.

5x Training Session

I tend to get bored very easily when exercising; variety is the spice of life after all! Laura kept me on my toes with a different workout every week, each tailored specifically to my level, and more importantly each more difficult than the week before, ensuring  progression. In between each session, Laura maintained contact with me and made sure that I was including other forms of exercise throughout the week. Other exercises included Laura’s spin class, (tough, but well worth it, again a varied workout, keeping each participant interested and working to their full potential), and a 25min cycle to and from
work. I was beginning to feel more energised and stronger as the weeks went by.

30 Day Detox

The 30 day detox is all part of the 5 week exercise programme. I was quite apprehensive about it to begin with, and I did not think I had enough will power to see it through. However, after Laura talked me through the endless benefits to be gained from the detox, and provided me with many meal options and food alternatives, I had to give it a go. The first week was quite tough, and I was noticing some side effects such as headaches and moodiness, but once they passed I began to reap the benefits! No more mood swings, less
bloated, I was starting to understand my body and its nutritional needs. Laura was there right the way through for support, which was great as I wasn’t always sure about what I could and couldn’t eat, a simple text and Laura would set me straight.

Results!

A total loss of 7.5 inches all over!!! My clothes feel loser, which is nice! The benefits stretch a lot further than inch loss; it has resulted in an overall healthier lifestyle. I exercise more frequently, have a healthier diet, and don’t drink as much at the weekends! My attitude towards my diet has completely changed, which is the biggest turnaround. Laura has given me all the tools and information I need to a better way of living. I have now signed up to
Cambridge Bootcamps with Laura, for 6 months, to ensure that I maintain these excellent results, and continue feeling great!

I would recommend Laura to anyone in a heartbeat! Her support throughout has been invaluable, it didn’t matter what time of day, she was always on hand with advice. Her knowledge, experience and passion for her job shine through in her methods of training, and the results she gets. Each session was met with a smile, and a can do attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Laura, and I am delighted to have achieved such amazing results in such a short space of time, I look forward to achieving even more at the Cambridge Bootcamp!!

Thanks Laura!!! ***************************

Julie Redfern – November 2011. I was so fed up of waking every morning and still feeling tired, I was in a routine of going to work and then sitting on the sofa all night, every night, so one day I decided to Google personal trainers in the Cambridge area and I came across Laura, her website stood out compared to everyone else’s, she oozed enthusiasm and passion not only for fitness but for healthy eating too, the whole package. I arranged to take part in her studio cycling class and afterwards I spoke to Laura about booking her for PT. In our first meeting we went through my goals and my typical weekly diet, my goals were manageable and I was asked to keep a weekly food diary, one week prior to the detox and then five weeks thereafter. Looking over my first week’s food diary was a shocker, after seven days of my new food plan I felt so much better. But the best part for me was the hour long PT sessions, they were never the same and never boring and always achievable.  In five weeks I lost an amazing 5.5 inches, I could not believe it; I really didn’t expect to lose so much! I am so grateful to Laura for giving me that kick up the backside to start working out again and I will definitely continue to do so! ***********************************

 

 

 

 

Lawrence Batters – 2011.

“Hey, Spirit health club have an offer on, you should give it ago” said my wife.

I got the message. After years of truck driving, working for a tow truck company I had piled more than just pounds on. After a Christmas dinner at my in-laws, I felt somewhat full and stood on the scales in the bathroom. At first I thought they were broken “4 stone yippee”, unfortunately not. They had gone all the way around and I weighed 24 stones!!

So I joined the gym. Another shock was waiting for me. After my consultation with Spirit, they told me I needed to get my doctor to write a letter saying I was “healthy enough” to join. In other words Spirit had concerns over my weight/blood pressure and basically wanted reassurance I wasn’t going to drop dead in the gym from a heart attack. Let me tell you that was enough for me to start making the changes I knew all along I needed to make.

At first I bumbled along going when I could, still not eating correctly really. Then I started looking into one of the guys at Spirit to advise me in a Personal Training type role. Through some experience of Cambridge Personal Trainers I did not want to find one that also loved football. Having a conversation about footy while on a cross trainer, rowing or tread mill isn’t fun. Hey, I’m a man I can’t multi task! With male logic, I asked Laura Banks if she’d take me on (Laura won’t be into football I thought) and guide me if not give me a good old fashioned shove in the right direction. How right I was. Laura does not mind if you do not reply when you’re trying your best not to show the exertion!!

Laura has shown me with dedication, commitment and a healthy lifestyle & nutrition guide, goals can be achieved. Laura designs programmes to suit the individual and their needs. Mine was to shift weight, be around for my children’s children etc. That’s I few years away ….hopefully! My point is if I don’t do something now, I wouldn’t be around to see it. My

own personal goal was to enter a sprint triathlon. This I did. I now love “nutritional food” more than I ever have. The virtues of a RAW FOOD are wonderful!! I like to see changes in myself. I’ve probably got more energy than my kids. I’ve gone from a 46 inch waist down to 38inch. Actually it’s in between 36-38. I’ve lost just over 8 stone in weight.  Just about everything is great. I coach kid’s football now, they love it when I get involved in the drill work. Showing a drill is much easier when I don’t have to carry all that weight any more.

 

I cannot recommend Laura enough for a Cambridge Personal Trainer. From weight loss, nutritional information to just passing on encouraging words when she’s with another client is the mark of a passionate instructor that loves her job. After visiting a physio regarding my tennis elbow, Laura has also set out a fantastic programme. AND IT WORKS….no more pain!

Thank you Banksy, You’re a super star.

Bonnie Anderson – Feb 2012 – 11 inches melted in 5 weeks! After becoming wayward in my eating and fitness habits following some life changes, I knew I needed a really affective way to kick start it all again. I heard about Laura, I checked out her website and saw the results of others and new this was the programme for me. It was only 5 weeks, seemed to have excellent results and the sessions with Laura would give me the guidance and support I needed. And it worked! I’m now back on track, swimming more than ever, learning to run farther than ever and having fun doing it.

Working with Laura has been a breeze. She is very good at being able to match her style with yours taking into account your goals and ambitions. Week by week got harder and more difficult as Laura upped the anti in our training sessions and made sure that I was working out to my maximum. It was also really useful to learn new exercises that I can easily do at home or in the gym. I now feel that I’m on the right track to achieving my goals and also how easy it will be to approach Laura in the future, should I need a bit more of a nudge. Thanks Laura!

Jenny Rouse – March 2012 – 10.5 inches gone in 5 weeks  I realised I was always feeling tired and very unfit so decided I wanted to change my life and have a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to get my life back on track by eating healthily and get back into a fitness routine that was fun, enjoyable and would also keep me enthused.

I started looking on the internet for a personal trainer as I felt by having help from a professional I would soon be whipped back into shape and back on the right track. I looked at a few when I came across Laura’s web page. I found her to be very inspiring and oozed enthusiasm in what she did while helping others. I also liked how Laura had been through it herself and knew exactly what it was like and had the knowledge and experience to help others.

I contacted Laura and we arranged a meeting to discuss my aims and work out a plan. I was concerned at first due to the fact I work shift work and wasn’t sure if we would be able to do a weekly session. Laura soon put me at ease and we were able to work around my shifts, which was fantastic.

Laura then explained the detox which sounded quite scary as I wasn’t sure what I was going to be able to eat. I am generally quite a fussy eater; however I was provided a pack to read through which explained about the foods we eat and what I was allowed to have. What I liked about it was the fact I could have as much as I liked and I didn’t have to go hungry.

The following week I started my first personal training session with Laura. I was nervous and apprehensive at first as I didn’t quite know what to expect. Laura put me at ease straight away and explained everything step by step while showing me what to do. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and the hour flew by! I couldn’t wait for the next session to arrive the following week. I went away feeling very energetic and wanted to do more!

Each session was completely different and I learnt so much. Laura pushed me more and more each week but did it in a way that was enjoyable and fun. She always gave me encouragement and kept me going.

 I couldn’t believe all the exercise routines that I had learnt I could do at home. I have

been to a gym in the past but I became bored due to the monotonous routine. However with the workouts Laura has taught me I now have a completely varied routine. I enjoy exercise so much more and feel fitter and healthier. After five weeks with Laura I lost a total of 10.5 inches which I am over the moon about and I have also dropped a dress size.

I have decided to book another five weeks personal training sessions with Laura as I have enjoyed it so much. I would recommend Laura to anyone as she is very passionate and enthusiastic about what she does and very supportive. She guides you each step of the way and is always there if you need help or advice.

Thanks Laura!

 

 

 

 

Linda James March 2012 – 8 and a half inches in 5 weeks

I’ve always been pretty fit but the weight has slowly increased over the years. In 2011 I had hypnotherapy which helped sort out the issues I had with food. Despite getting a grip on my eating, my weight and body shape stayed the same.

Then ‘wonder woman’ Laura stepped into my life with her ‘clean diet’ and training. I embraced the changes to my diet wholeheartedly and I can’t say I found it difficult. (However, there were the odd occasions when I could have murdered a Pinot Grigio!) Suddenly, lots of my favourites – avocados and nuts- which had always been off limits were on the menu.

Laura’s PT sessions were a real surprise. I thought she was going to kill me like her studio cycling class did. No, it was much more subtle than that but equally deadly! Joking aside, it was great to be doing something different which benefitted my body but was also really effective in changing my roly-poly shape. The added bonus was I could do the exercises at home and didn’t need to set foot in the gym.

Despite breaking my little finger (nothing to do with PT) half way through my 5 sessions and needing pins to hold it together, Laura managed to continue to train me safely such is her knowledge and professionalism. She also had to listen to me moan on about my hand – what a star!

My 8 and a half inch loss plus the weight loss is amazing and I am so grateful to Laura. There is no way that this would have happened without her help, knowledge and support. We are starting another 5 sessions soon and I can’t wait.

Nicola Foster – April 2012 – 9.5 inches lost in 5 weeks

New nutritional information embraced to the full and enjoying it!

Initially I was very scared that changing my diet would make me feel deprived and miserable. I also had no idea what to expect about the training sessions. I have always found exercise daunting after bad experiences in PE lessons at school. I found Laura using a web search after seeing my arms in the mirror and not liking what I saw.

I am happily surprised reflecting back on the last month, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sessions with Laura were really varied and fun. Laura had clearly put in a lot of thought about what we would do.

Following the nutrition plan, was difficult to begin with but after the first week it became easier and easier and I have decided to stick with it from now on. I cooked a lot more than usual  which was great.  I found that after the first week I totally stopped craving sugary treats.

I lost 9.5inches and I’m delighted with the changes. I have been feeling more positive and confident.

I would recommend working  with Laura to everyone, she is extremely helpful, knowledgeable and committed to success.  I’m so pleased that I picked up the phone and made that first phonecall.

 

Lisa loses 7.5 inches and totally revamps her lifestyle nutritionally and physically – June 2012

I was so fed up of feeling bloated and not feeling good about myself. My friend had been training with Laura at Cambridge Bootcamps and said she was going to do the 30 day detox to give her a boost. I thought I had nothing to lose so I made an appointment with Laura to talk about doing the detox too. I had to give her a food diary of my previous week and I was really quite ashamed of the food I had been putting into my body. Laura was never judgmental just really enthusiastic to help me. As I have allergies to certain foods she was great at offering advice about foods I could try. I generally found the detox easy to follow, although I did have a couple of slips along the way, Laura never berated me for this, we just made sure I was back on track straight away. Laura was there for me via phone and email whenever I needed her and it felt good to send her the odd photo of my new improved healthy dinners.

I lost 7.5 inches overall, the bloated feeling was gone after the first week and I really began to feel the difference around week 3. I feel stronger and healthier than ever and a lot more in control of what foods I put into my body. I am carrying on with the healthy eating lifestyle Laura has introduced me to and looking forward to what the next 30, 60, 90 days and so on hold for me.

I would never have done this on my own without Laura, she really gave me a lot of motivation and encouragement and when I couldn’t see the benefits in myself she assured me they were there and kept me going.

Thank you Laura, I would not be where I am now without you!

 

Jen – 14.5 inches lost in 5 weeks and a new nutritious lifestyle with a smart training plan gained – June 2012

When I first approached Laura about taking part in her 5 week programme, I was quite nervous as I knew that a big part of it revolved around nutrition. Nutrition has never been a strong point for me and is always something that I’ve struggled with. I could cope with exercise, but I knew that the ED (elimination detox) would be my make or break for success with the programme.

After initially meeting with Laura and talking through all my biomechanical issues, nutrition issues and generally everything in life that could be effecting my overall health, I was excited but still nervous about the whole programme.

Initially the ED diet was difficult for me, which Laura quickly picked up on but she reassured me that after years of eating rubbish it would take a while for everything to settle down and if I stuck with it I would reap the benefits. After the initial week, the ED did get considerably easier and I now even enjoy planning, preparing and cooking healthy and nutritious meals. Laura has taught me to exercise effectively to gain maximum results and it’s really worked.

Seeing Laura at both Cambridge Bootcamps and once a week for one to one has helped me no end and combined with the ED I managed to lose and incredible 14.5 inches all over and I feel fantastic.

Laura is so enthusiastic about nutrition and healthy food that it’s really hard for it not to rub off on you and as a result I’m now a lot more educated about what food I’m eating and I’m feeling a million times better for it. Laura has helped me gain some of the confidence back that I had lost and I know that my end target is now a much easier and attainable target thanks to Laura’s encouragement, knowledge and unwavering support.

Thank You Laura

 

Ian Mizon – 11 inches lost, a good understanding of healthy, nutritious food & exercise regimes. July 2012

I started working with Laura in July 2012. I did want to lose a little weight but my main aim was to tone up, exercise with more control and improve my diet. Laura has proven that her work is not just about weight loss. It involves far more than this. She has helped me change my lifestyle completely. In less than 5 weeks, we made some real changes to my body shape and tone. Combined, we removed 11 inches from my chest, stomach and waistline putting me in a great position to achieve my goals. Laura is also determined, understanding and shows a real passion to help you achieve your goals whatever they may be.

I’ll be spending more time with her this year. I have had a great experience with Laura and her efforts so far this year.

Cate Morgan – loses 10 inches! Feels leaner & stronger – September 2012

I started out asking Laura to stop my aching limbs, improve my running ( I run gently 3 times a week with a friend) and help me shed a few extra inches (and lbs) still hanging on 7 years post babies. Laura’s clear direction, helpful advice, focus and expertise have done exactly that and more in 5 weeks. I don’t ache every morning, I am running lighter and with more energy, and I have lost 10 inches all over, which is something to be believed. My clothes feel like they fit and don’t pinch, which is a real bonus. In addition, and this is just the best bit for me,  my eczema has totally cleared up. So the mix of diet and change in exercise routine – some new – have made this difference to me. I have asked Laura to train me again in the new year, and I have 12 weeks on my own to consolidate all I have learnt before my next challenge, to become stronger and leaner. I want to say ‘can’t wait’ at this point, but feel honesty is the best policy. This is a commitment, and a change to lots I thought I knew about what and how I eat and exercise. So I will be prepared to learn and work hard.

 

Sarah Clasby – 12.5 inches lost in five weeks – September 2012

I was in my usual position in front of the TV on the world’s most well used sofa when I first ‘googled’ personal trainers in Cambridge and found Laura’s website.  I had come to realise that although I slept for 8 hours a night I was always tired, that I had lost any energy for doing the things I loved, that I hadn’t exercised for years, that food was my comfortable best friend and that I had no idea how to change my lifestyle.  Overall I was a bit….. sad.

Further, I had been asked to be a bridesmaid at my brother’s wedding.

Laura and I met and she explained that there was no quick fix to a healthy lifestyle.   In order to make a lifestyle change sustainable one had to teach our body and minds about our nutritional needs.  That all we need is the knowledge of how to change and a little determination.

Laura suggested an initial consultation to ensure she could offer what I needed to change my lifestyle.  After which she provided me with a 5 week detox elimination plan and an exercise/training regime to suit me.  Of course I was apprehensive about the challenge ahead and concerned I could not achieve this necessary change as part of a working life.  However what at first appeared to be a huge onerous task with information provided by Laura and the support she gave it was easy to fit the changes into my lifestyle.

Laura was in constant communication with me by email and phone over the 5 week period and made it very clear that if I ever needed any advice or help she was there.  I completed a food diary, which Laura checked over with me weekly, she clearly planned our training sessions carefully, and was always encouraging and supportive.  The commitment I put into the five week period was matched by Laura all the way.

I began to notice a change over the 5 weeks, my skin was clear, I had more energy, clothes began to fit better (and then not fit at all – as too big ) and I woke up feeling a sense of achievement every day.  But most importantly I had learnt how to eat well and what exercises I could do to make a real difference to my health and body shape.

I was a bridesmaid in October 2012 for my dear brother – I felt good.

I still see Laura weekly and we have adapted the exercises we do to suit my changing needs.  I can now make an educated decision about what I eat.  I rarely sit in front of the TV and have an energetic and full life.  I am excited to be going to my PT session today and to collect my Kettle Bells!!  Thank you Laura and long may it continue.

PS – a word of warning Laura does sometimes lose count and the 15 squat set can turn into 17!! But who cares!

 

Jane Horwood – 11 inches in 5 weeks – Better nutritional knowledge, flexibility and the correct guidance. December 2012

Six weeks ago I was feeling exhausted, very stressed and sick of the creeping advance of ‘middle age spread’.  I’ve always thought of myself as a healthy eater but  I knew my downfall was existing on copious amounts of coffee instead of food and feeling so stressed by the evening that I needed a glass of wine to ‘wind down’.  Spending all day at the computer seemed to be sapping my energy and I was waking up feeling more tired than when I’d gone to bed.

Everything came to a head one day and I decided I had to take action. I found Laura’s website and was really inspired. I enrolled immediately for a 30 day detox plan.  The first week without coffee was a nightmare with terrible headaches but I stuck at it. I also had to spend time making sure I had the right food in the cupboards and preparing meals for ME. Moving the radio back into the kitchen really helped keep my mind off the fact that I was not sitting at the computer working. I also needed to get over the ridiculous guilty feelings I had about doing something for me.

The nutrition plan took out wheat and dairy as well as coffee and wine and has made a massive difference to my energy levels. I am eating 3 meals a day for possibly the first time since I was a child. Laura has also given me a range of stretches and exercises which are helping with general flexibility and strength.

I know this is not a quick fix and I cannot undo the bad habits of a lifetime in a month but Laura’s method is making sure that the dietary changes and exercise fit in with my lifestyle. Her focus is very much on sustainability.

I have to say I was proud of myself for sticking rigidly to the food plan but I don’t believe I would have done this without Laura. She was extremely supportive and the weekly sessions acted as great motivation ensuring I had kept a food diary and completed the exercises. She is a wealth of knowledge and was able to help me distinguish between what I thought was healthy eating and what would be better

At the of the 30 days I had lost 11 inches in total and was down to 60 kilos. The dress I had worn to our first meeting which had been tight as a drum was now much loser. This is just the start though. For me, it’s not about losing more weight but about being strong, having more energy and feeling more positive about myself. I cannot thank Laura enough and have already recommended her to several friends. Result!

 

Natalie Yates – Inspiring must read story – a loss of 22 inches all over. Better lifestyle, an understanding of the right nutrition and exercise knowledge

I always used to be the fat kid at school and as a result have had my fair share of body issues. My weight has fluctuated quite a lot but since having my daughter in 2005 I’ve made a concerted effort to get fit – wanting to set her a good example and instil her with the body confidence I always lacked.

Before meeting Laura my weekly exercise routine consisted of step aerobics, running (once or twice a week) and pilates – culminating in a half marathon in September 2012. Yet despite all this exercise and what I thought were the best of nutritional intentions, I was feeling low in energy and failing to shift any weight from my main problem area – my tummy. A conventional apple shape, I always had skinny arms and legs but a pot-belly – and things were getting worse, not better, which I convinced myself was down to age, a slow metabolism, and genes.

Determined to a) get slimmer for a family holiday to Australia and b) get fitter for the 2013 Cambridge Half Marathon I signed up for a series of training sessions with Laura. Feeling generally confused about food and what to eat when training, I found her via a Kettlebell class in Impington. One look at her website and I was intrigued. Looking at her own ‘before’ and ’after’ photographs I wanted to know how she’d managed to transform her body
shape from an apple like me into someone with an amazing figure who consistently completes half, full and ultra marathons.

After an initial consultation, Laura put me on a four-week elimination diet and started giving me personal training sessions focused on getting me stronger and leaner. Together we also worked to iron out the niggling aches and pains that my first half marathon had put into sharp focus. The results were rapid and incredibly satisfying.

After four weeks I’d lost 8.5 inches from all over my body; after eight weeks I’d dropped 13.5 inches; and now I’m looking forward to seeing the results after 12 weeks of clean, nutritional eating combined with running and core strength work. The best thing has been the inch loss around my tummy and hips – 4 inches in total so far. I’ve also dropped more than a stone in weight, which is making running far easier and has given me an
excuse to go shopping!!

Laura is a real inspiration. Everything she says makes absolute sense and I am so glad I met her. She is firm when she has to be but incredibly fair and hugely motivational. Training sessions with her are – as you’d expect – hard and you certainly know you’ve had a work out but they whizz by and she makes them fun and engaging. No two sessions are the same and emailing her your food diary once a week keeps you on track. Laura has taught me so much in such a short space of time – mainly that you can’t burn off a bad diet,
which is what I was trying to do before. I can’t recommend her highly enough. If you want to get fit – she’s definitely the person to talk to!
Thanks Laura!!

 

Clare – 14.5 inches lost, lifestyle and nutritional changes made to achieve goals & maintain them

Before I had my daughter I used to go to the gym a few times a week and eat fairly healthily however all that changed whilst I was on maternity leave.  This was partly to do with having to look after a new baby but also to do with meeting other mums for coffee and cake and not moving much other than taking my daughter for walks in her pushchair.

I thought that returning to work would get me out of my bad habits however I found that I was not sleeping very well, had no energy at work or at home, had no will power to resist the biscuits and chocolates at work and generally felt quite bad about myself.  I also had to buy a whole new set of work clothes that were two sizes larger than previously; this was the final straw that drove me to look for a personal trainer.

I searched for ‘Cambridge personal trainer’ and got lots of hits but Laura’s website stood out from the rest.  I came along for the initial consultation and realised that working with Laura would be exactly what I needed.  I really liked the fact that she has a holistic approach looking at nutrition and lifestyle as well as exercise and fitness.

I came away from the initial consultation determined to put my all into the five weeks and although the nutrition took some pre planning it was all worth it and I managed to lose 14.5 inches all over in that time.  Within a few days of starting, I was sleeping better which meant that I was more effective at work and didn’t feel so tired at home.  A number of people at work commented on how much better I looked, not only in terms of losing inches but generally brighter.  I just said thank you to them but was thinking to myself how bad did I look before?!

Laura obviously tailored the personal training sessions to my needs particularly my terrible posture and rounded shoulders making them very worthwhile and as Laura asked for the food diary to be sent to her it did really motivate me to take that seriously. I enjoyed trying new things and making it as variable as possible.

A few weeks on, I have found it easy to stick to the principles and exercise as the benefits have been so obvious and I don’t want to go back to the way that I felt before.  Laura is really friendly, very encouraging and I have really enjoyed my time working with her.  Thank you Laura!

 

Selina Dean – 13.5 Inches lost Dec 2012 – Jan 2013

I have been training with Laura for 10 weeks in total now and my fitness levels have improved immensely.  When I started seeing Laura I had several injuries following running a half marathon ill prepared.  I was introduced to the foam roller by Laura on our first session and at first was dubious as to how this could improve my fitness.  But after 10 weeks I can run, swim, cycle and use my core strength better than before the half marathon and this could not have been achieved without Laura’s encouragement, foam rolling exercises, and stretching.  Through being able to take these exercises and apply them daily myself at home it has loosened my joints/muscles, in particular my IT Band tightness on my right leg, and over time I managed to overcome my injuries.

The nutritional detox plan Laura makes you follow can be daunting at first if like me you have a liking for wheat and dairy. But overtime I just got used to cutting the wheat out of my diet, and replaced dairy milk with almond milk which was available from all large supermarkets.  No caffeine was a struggle for the first week, but after a while I got used to not having tea in the form I used to drink it.  Now I have green tea mostly and Redbush tea in the evenings.

In total I lost 8 inches all over my body in the first 5 weeks, then another 5 inches in the second 5 weeks.  Occasionally I now have a cup of normal tea with dairy milk and the odd cheat meal when away for the weekend for example, but it just does not satisfy me any more.  Now I am more fond of my stable diet such as eggs and salmon for breakfast, salad or soups for lunch and home made burgers and wedges for evening meal.  It really is simple once you get used to it.  It does not mean living on seeds or lettuce for the rest of life; as so many people have that misconception.

Healthy is very tasty and it also feels good to know you are nourishing the body. I will be completing some more sessions with Laura to build up my strength, continue with changing my body shape and increase the exercise knowledge Laura has already imparted on me.

 

Clare – 11 inches lost from March-April 2013

The worst part about turning 40 last year was finding I’d put on half a stone eating up my toddler’s leftovers – and I’d also agreed to a work project which was going to involve lots of time in front of a camera. Whilst I lost the extra half-stone fairly easily, I felt a bit clueless as to how to lose more…. But on the rowing machine at the Spirit gym one evening, I noticed the back of Laura’s sweatshirt which said ‘Laura – bum by Cambridge Bootcamps!’ and the evidence spoke for itself. Looking at Laura’s website when I got home, I liked its overall philosophy, so decided to give the 5-week personal training and detox programme a go. And I’m very glad I did! In terms of results, I’ve exceeded my goal of dropping a dress size (by dropping two!) Since I honestly didn’t feel hungry during the 30-day detox, the experience has been life-changing in equipping me with the knowledge of how to maintain my current weight/size without undermining my genuine love of good food and cooking! Food-wise, Laura was very helpful in preparing for the 30-day elimination detox and I’ve discovered local secrets – like the excellent ‘Daily Bread!’ in King’s Hedges – as well as a variety of healthy and sustaining snacks. Exercise-wise, I thoroughly enjoyed the one-to-one PT sessions which were well-conceived, challenging and rewarding. So I’d happily recommend Laura as a personal trainer!

 

Adam – inches lost, nutritional information and exercise knowledge gained. April 2012

“Before I started working with Laura I was a caffeine and sugar addict.  Laura asked me to fill in a seven-day food diary, which gave me quite a shock.  I was drinking around 8-10 cups of tea and coffee a day and ate far more chocolate and cakes than I should.

I started Laura’s thirty-day detox and felt much better within a week. The dark circles around my eyes had faded and I was receiving so many positive comments from people  - it was very encouraging and motivating.  I also discovered lots of delicious new foods.

During the thirty days Laura trained me once a week and set me exercises and stretches to do at home.  During this time I lost three inches from my waistline.

Now the detox has finished I have still continued with many of the good habits I picked up and have started to exercise more.

I would recommend Laura to anyone who has slipped into bad eating habits and would like to feel better, have more flexibility and to look better”.

Adam will always have me looking over his shoulder as he is my web design guy (Cambridge Web Solutions) The best their is, he gives me constant support and helps me change my website as my business grows and my requirements change. I love my website as much now as I did when he first set it up nearly 3 years ago!!! I’m top of google search so that has to say something Thank you Adam keep up the awesome work with your health, nutrition and fitness.

I have been promised pictures before and after so watch this space!!

http://www.cambridgewebsolutions.co.uk/

 

KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE FOR MORE TESTIMONIALS TO COME!!!