Testimonials
In my late 40s, I'm celebrating being the fittest I've ever been
Lisa
In January, a BUPA health check concluded that I was dangerously weak and could injure myself without taking the necessary steps to get stronger. I had planned a charity trek of Hadrian’s Wall for June and realised that without training and support, at 47 years old, I would struggle to successfully complete this tough challenge and more importantly would let down those family and friends supporting me. I came to Phil Jacobs with the simple goal of building up my strength but can honestly say that during the last 8 months of regular sessions I have achieved so much more. Without question, I am the fittest and strongest I have ever been and smashed the trek in June by combining PT with yoga and regular walks.
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The weekly sessions with Phil are always different - challenging different muscle groups and building on my cardiac strength and stamina. The standalone gym in his garden is perfect for me, it's private yet suitably professional with just the right amount of equipment, allowing me to grow in confidence at my own pace without worrying about how everyone else looks or who is watching me. Phil encourages you to push yourself to test your ability but equally listens when you think you are at the maximum weight or pace for that session. Most importantly we have fun! Phil has a huge playlist of tunes to ensure we can row along, cycle along or even sing along to whatever mood we are in the get the best out of the time we have.
Bespoke training to help me achieve my running goals after giving birth
Claire
I have been training with Phil for just under a year and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to others. My goal is to get fit and strong after having 2 children and to improve my running ability. Phil's sessions are completely tailored to the individual and vary each week. There is a balance of fun and hard work with some great tunes thrown in for good measure.
Phil gets to know your capabilities and preferences - he knows just when to push you to your limits and progresses to more reps or heavier weights when you are ready. He is knowledgable about all forms of exercise and has such a passion for his work and clients. The training is varied, a mix of cardio and strength. Phil explains exercises to make sure it hits where it needs to. He has also given me bespoke exercises and support when training for races.
Turning stagnation and a lack of progress into increased strength,
stamina & endurance
Chris
I have been running and riding for a few years but felt my training had stagnated and was not progressing. I wanted a new challenge but also to get stronger and fitter. A friend who had been coached by Phil (and was now quicker on the bike than I was) had mentioned on a few occasions how good his 1-2-1 sessions were. I have never been a big fan of indoor training, lifting weights, or working out and so was unsure if it was for me. However, I recently started a new training plan that suggested strength and core training once a week.
I contacted Phil for a chat about my goals and my background and he suggested how he could help. I felt it was the perfect way for a newbie like me to start.12 weeks in and I absolutely love my weekly sessions! Phil tailors each one to my training plan, and also includes stretches and warm-up exercises to help prevent injury. Each week is different and Phil's coaching is spot on, always ensuring my technique is correct as I learn new exercises.
My strength, overall fitness and posture have improved hugely as has my stamina and endurance. If you are unsure just give a couple of sessions a go. For me there is no looking back.
Incomparable improvements in my personal fitness levels
Pat
I've been with Phil for a year. He has re-trained my approach to health with an introduction to strength and conditioning training, helping me set achievable goals for personal fitness, particularly improving my cycling, and helping with weight loss. Combined with a focus on my diet, I’ve lost 18kg at a sensible rate through targeted training. My leg and core strength for cycling has been greatly helped by a brilliant winter training programme - thank you! Before I started training with Phil I had no idea what I was missing out on. Phil's approach is enjoyable, hard work via tailored, well planned personal training sessions with a brilliant eye for detail and innovation.
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I was particularly interested in improving my cycling and running performance. Phil knows exactly how to take you to the next level and beyond. Each session is well planned and leaves me looking forward to the next. I quickly cancelled my monthly gym membership once I had established a routine of twice-weekly personal training. Training with Phil has become a fixture in my diary I am not prepared to give up! I have seen an incomparable level of improvement in my personal fitness in a very short time. Phil is a particularly helpful coach, drawing from so much personal experience and in-depth knowledge of how training should be done.
I'm loving getting stronger and stronger!
Charlotte
Deciding to train with Phil has been one of the best decisions I have made. My main aim was to improve strength at the same time as increasing my general fitness. Having been training with Phil since March 2019, I am now both stronger and fitter. I am really delighted with the results. Phil is both encouraging and motivating. He is easy and relaxed to work with. I have felt challenged to give the training sessions my best but also free to say if something is too much. I have in the past had a bad back which has made me hesitant to push myself too much. With Phil's help, I have been able to build up to what I now like to think is a respectable level! I can also say that there is something strangely satisfying about getting stronger and stronger and lifting heavier and heavier weights! I would encourage anyone thinking about personal training to get in touch with Phil. I never thought I would be as strong and fit as I am now - at 46 - and I am delighted!
A focussed approach to improving my fitness, strength & agility
Sara
Phil has changed everything. Prior to starting with SecondhalfActive in November 2018, my gym sessions were unfocused and I wasn't maximising the precious time I had to train. My goal was to be more agile and enjoy an active family life in my late 40s and beyond, but also to get fit for regular skiing and cycling after a series of injuries.
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Happy to share his own training and in-depth knowledge, and drawing from an extraordinary wealth of personal experience, Phil is a natural trainer and motivator. I considered myself to be in reasonable shape, but Phil's combination of strength training and cardio has taken me to the next level, and I feel fit and strong like never before. His approach to training is to push you, but never to break you and Phil is careful to watch your technique throughout the sessions. Phil has now become a trusted advisor, for me and my family, for all things fitness-related and my training sessions are a permanent fixture, not to be moved!
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Motivating me to my next level of fitness aged 51
John
I’ve been going to Phil’s personal training sessions for just over a year now and can say they’re definitely worthwhile. There’s the obvious benefit of being committed to a day and time rather than having to entirely self-motivate to get to the gym. But Phil provides much more than simply a motivating influence – he puts together workouts bespoke to my own goals and fitness level. He understands the ambitions and limitations of the “more mature athlete”. He’s conscious of avoiding aggravating longstanding injuries but certainly allows me to push myself.
Phil's enthusiasm for his craft and his ability to conjure up new ways to safely and efficiently exert pretty much every part of the human body appears to be limitless! Top quality equipment and the option of choosing your own soundtrack or subjecting yourself to Phil’s own eclectic musical tastes – what’s not to like? I urge you to give it a go!
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Phil makes fitness fun!
Paavo
The link between mental and physical fitness is unquestionable, and having a wonderful person like Phil helping with your fitness makes keeping you fit easier and more fun!
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A well planned programme with visible results
Jim
Phil is passionate about strength and conditioning training - a new area for me. That has translated into a thoughtful, tailored and patient programme.
It's a pleasure to spend time with someone who loves what they do - it really makes the hoped for learning and development so much easier. The environment is safe (physically and mentally). Outcomes have been good so far with noticeable improvements in everything. I'm sure there is a lot more to come.
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Zoom PT Does Work!
Gary
As a half century man I have been keen to release the boredom of lockdown and train as often as possible for both physical and mental health wellbeing reasons. I live in London so it’s not practical to train with Phil in person, however his Zoom classes on Saturday (Superstars) and Wednesday (Warriors) are a superb mix of cardio, core and strength, predominantly but not exclusively using body weight. Phil has also tailored it more recently following a knee injury; Phil can adapt the class or a particular exercise to ensure you don’t put any pressure or pain through a particular joint or muscle. This has been hugely helpful with my recovery and have been able to incorporate it within my rehab to great effect. The ongoing email updates to “zoomers” are a gentle nudge to add stretches and movements between these twice weekly exercise. This offers fantastic value for money in my mind.
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If you can’t train in person, this is the next best thing!
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I was ready to challenge my body and push my fitness levels
Philippa
Following a serious health scare a few years ago I had been toying with the idea of trying to improve my strength and fitness but knew a large gym wasn’t for me. I started training with Phil after lockdown but felt nervous about starting something new, given my medical history and constant aches and pains. Phil took all this into account and devised a programme which allowed me time to gain confidence using weights but also encouraged me to push myself. Although I felt I had a certain level of fitness before starting with Phil, having walked and practiced Pilates for many years, I’ve realised how important it is to challenge my body using the programme that Phil devised for me.
Phil provides a relaxed, safe environment in which to train and it’s great to be able to work outside, weather permitting.
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I love my sessions with Phil, he’s patient, good humoured and has great taste in music!
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Beating my PBs from years ago and having fun at the same time!
Shuts
Phil has taken my rather feeble cycling engine, added a bunch of power and torque, improved the airflow and transformed me from a Skoda Fabia into a Golf GTI!
I have been an average cyclist and runner for years. I can spin like the best of them, but when the gradient gets steep, I would have legs like jelly. Once my legs were gone, I’d struggle to keep up with a group and endure a miserable crawl home.
I started training with Phil remotely. To start with I was in pieces. I thought I was reasonably fit and strong, but with hindsight I had very poor core strength, limited mobility, and no leg strength. Phil’s training has made a huge difference to my performance. I am beating PB’s that I set 5 or 6 years ago and I’m improving all the time. I am enjoying my cycling more; I can go faster and harder without emptying my tank on the first hill. Better still, my improved core strength has fixed a long-standing neck problem caused by a serious bike crash in 2016.
Phil is a great personal trainer and his online classes are structured, clear, and varied. He explains the benefits of the exercises and gives alternatives to those of us that are somewhat challenged. More importantly, the sessions are friendly and fun and we all feel like part of a club. I can’t recommend Phil highly enough.