Fit For Life

FITNESS FOR ALL IN POOLE & BOURNEMOUTH

Experience

My name is Mark Hooks and I have been teaching in the fitness industry for nearly 15 years. Half of this time was spent in the military where I coached and trained a wide spectrum of individuals with many different goals. I personally competed at Company and Battalion level in various sports, including boxing and cross-country. On leaving the military I set up my own fitness company based in Maidenhead where I mainly concentrated on personal training. I have also taught various exercise classes for private health clubs and by hiring halls, using local parks and run routes to train individuals and groups. 

During my last three years in Maidenhead, I dedicated much of my time to running triathlons and coaching triathlon courses to groups of around 12 people who had never attempted a triathlon before. These courses lasted for a three month period with two progressive sessions per week, building up to each individual completing a sprint or Olympic triathlon at the end of the course. I moved to Poole in November 2006 and here we are!

Qualifications

  • Army Physical Training Instructor - Parachute Regiment
  • YMCA Professional Studio Instructor
  • YMCA Group Indoor Cycling Instructor
  • YMCA Exercise to Music
  • NaRS Pool Attendant- last updated 03/08/06
  • NaRS First Aid- last updated 10/08/06
  • Register of Exercise Proffesionals
  • BSc Degree - Sports Coaching & Psychology – Third Year

Testimonials

  • Richard Phillips - "I met Mark when he started taking a circuits class at the gym I attend. I thought I was reasonably fit from weight training but had neglected the CV aspects of training partly due to a knee injury some two years previously. The main aim at this point was to get fitter as I found his circuit’s classes highly enjoyable yet also physically challenging. I had no doubt that Mark would prove to be the right choice as a personal trainer. His qualifications and some quite considerable experience taken from the real world of sports and fitness were self evident. Finally, to add to the mix of why I chose Mark as a trainer has to be down to his charismatic approach. Mark has a natural ability to enthuse you not only to do your best but so that you believe in yourself. Not only do you feel inspired to, “go the distance” and give each training session your best effort but as a result of Mark’s motivational techniques and winning ways, that Mark brings to every session, you are beginning to re-programme your mind towards what you can do. We spent one session weight training, I amazed myself that I had the strength and ability to lift weights I had never even picked up before. Mark also showed me new exercises and got me to rethink my weight training routine. When Mark told me that at the end of our twelve week training period I would be running a 10km race, I just looked at him and tried to stifle a laugh of disbelief. His response was an unfaltering take no prisoners deadpan look. Which on reflection summed up the core of Mark’s approach, “Self Belief” this is as important as the physical aspects of the training programme. A positive mental outlook and then anything is possible. At this point I couldn’t run around the block without gasping for air. However, within three to four weeks I had achieved the distance and went on to complete in a 10km event by week twelve. The key here being that Mark knows based on his comprehensive fitness assessment in week one what you are physically capable of achieving. He then sets up in partnership with you to work on developing both your physical and mental approach to what you and your body can do. Mark was with me every step of the way working on my mental attitude and altering any negative feelings towards what I felt I was capable of. I will never forget the feelings of running up Constitution Hill in Parkstone, a road I drive up everyday yet had never even attempted to walk up. After that I felt and still do that anything is possible. I completed the 10km event and with a reasonable time, lost inches and weight and my confidence soared. At first the prospect of starting a training programme such as this may seem daunting, yet having a set goal and aim from the beginning as Mark advocates and then achieving it produces an awesome feeling of accomplishment that you have to experience to truly understand. I am delighted with the outcomes of the training sessions and the benefits that they have produced".

  • James Boyle - "If you're looking for a good work out to improve your health and fitness without the hassles of gym membership then Mark's classes are just for you. Mark is enthusiastic, talented and easily approachable".

  • Helen Kent - "Mark Hooks is an INSPIRATION.  My first encounter with him was a tough and challenging CIRCUIT TRAINING class that he taught at the local health club.  One thing that he is very good at is getting that extra press-up, bench press, squat or whatever the exercise is, out of you.  He pushes you when you think you can do no more and that’s what gets the results.  I regularly attended his classes and my fitness level increased dramatically.  BUT THERES MORE.  He then started up a triathlon club which I joined and that is when I can honestly say my fitness reached another level.  He certainly knows his stuff and whatever age, size or fitness level you are at I would not hesitate to recommend HOOKSY (as we call him)."

  • Nigel Gooch - "Until I started training with Mark although I trained regularly and had paid for some P.T. training which had helped me achieve my relatively modest fitness goals I had little or no understanding of how to train and motivate myself. Mark changed all that and most of all he made it fun (sweaty and sometimes painful but always fun). He is inspirational and professional with a lighter side, I pretty much guarantee that regardless of your level of fitness you will enjoy Mark’s classes and benefit from his advice."

  • Joe Middleton - "My meeting of Mark 4 years ago coincided with my introduction to the world of triathlons. Given my football background and decision to change to a relatively unknown sport I needed not only motivation to push myself in ways I had never tried before, but also a training program to achieve my over ambitious goals. With Mark I found someone who taught me not only that what I previously thought was 'effort' was only 60% of what I really had to give but also the training techniques that would enable me to actually find that extra performance. What started out as "something to train for between football seasons" has now progressed to a sport which occupies most of my spare time (and cash) and one which I now compete at sub elite level. Without Mark's technical input, passion for success and all round commitment to his client's goals I very much doubt I would be racing as a member of the British Triathlon team in Vancouver this year".

  • Steve Bennett - "More than any other personal trainer I've worked with Mark really understands the importance of the mental dimension to improving performance. He places a high emphasis on understanding his clients motivation and needs and uses this to optimise the effort and motivation required to achieve new levels of performance. Its never easy and sometimes painful, but its always worthwhile."

  • Lindsay Oliver - "Thanks to your patience you taught me to stop flailing about in the pool, stick my head in the water (without drowning!) and that swallowing a bit (or in my case quite a lot) of pool water was no bad thing while learning!!  I found your encouragement firm but fair and you succeeded where many have failed as I don't react well to being told what to do.  I am pleased to say that I can now swim a mile with confidence and am sure I'd be swimming further if you were still up here!!"