One-to-one personal training in my private weight-training studio
I have 3 major loves in my life; my family, my beard, and lifting weights. I have been lifting weights both recreationally and competitively in the sport of powerlifting for over 15 years. I have a passion for what I do, and I love to teach and mentor others.
I was extremely lucky when I started out training with weights in my local Leisure Centre in Belfast to be taken under the wing of a 70 year old ex-powerlifter named David who told me he was going to teach me how to do weights properly without the risk of injuring myself. I met with him every Saturday morning for 6 months, and during that time he never let me lift heavy weights, but ingrained in me a technique that has lasted me for years.
I love to teach people to lift weights properly and for them to see the massive benefits it can have in general life or for improvement in sport.
I want to do the same thing for others, and have noticed a lot of young adults getting injured because they are not being shown how to lift weights in an effective and safe manner.
I can assist with technique for lifts, nutrition, programming, consultations, sport specific training, writing programs, safety and recovery.
It is not my intention to take money from people in order to be their motivation. I want to
equip you with all the tools necessary for you to motivate yourself to train with weights
effectively and with efficient technique and knowledge.
I've done plenty of lifting over the years, but got to a point where any time I increased my lift I ended up injuring myself. Brian took a look at my technique, gave me a few pointers and a program to follow. With his help I've been able to get past my previous limit injury-free.
I really appreciated how Brian listened to what I wanted to achieve, he understood that I am a runner looking to add muscle and improve my core strength. I had never been to a gym before in my life, Brian took me through the technique for all forms of lifting weights, we covered squats, bench press, dead lift & overhead press. He took me through the importance of good technique and showed me how to use a variety of gym equipment. Brian is such a knowledgeable and personable personal trainer, I trust and value his guidance. Brian has given me a program to follow to I know I will achieve me goals if I stick to the process.
I have been training off/on for several years. My training usually consisted of upper body training and occasional lower body. I tended to avoid lifts like squatting and deadlift. Brian took me through the technique of each lift, providing me with cues to correct my technique and advising me on grip and foot position. I found with Brian’s encouragement I was able to quickly gain confidence with both lifts. Brian provided me with a training program that incorporated all the compound lifts giving me a more rounded training regime. He was able to guide me with rep ranges and weights that helped me achieve my goal of gaining strength. I was able to increase my bench press by 25kg, squat by 70kg and deadlift by 40kg.
My Son is 16 and is a dedicated to Hockey. He has Hockey training and matches 5 times most weeks. Whilst specific Hockey training is vital it was also very important to develop his body strength and particularly legs & arms given he is playing boys older than him. Brian was amazing! He understood the busy schedule that both School and Hockey demanded yet developed a suitable programme that enabled Jamie not to feel under pressure but one he could fit into to his busy week. He grasped the key areas Jamie needed to work on and gave him confidence given he had not been to the Gym before or followed a specific focused program. Brian guided Jamie in mastering good techniques whilst keeping the program varied and fun. I know if Jamie follows the plan Brian has developed he will see the gains he desires on the hockey pitch.
It is more than well documented that weight training is a significantly better way to increase muscle strength, power and endurance than most other gym workouts, or programmes rolled out by the average Personal Trainer. However the bigger challenge is finding a PT who genuinely understands and practises the principles of training with weights, and can additionally share and teach sound technique when using weights to strengthen muscles . . as it is not something to be undertaken lightly. I finally found that PT in Brian Simpson. I am a keen female cyclist, runner and triathlete, having represented Team GB in my age group at European Triathlon level. However a series of injuries has restricted my competitive activities recently . . .all on account of doing too much CV work, and not correctly developing and strengthening the muscles required to sustain me at this level. That has all changed since I started working out with Brian. This is a PT that takes great care over technique, posture and position ahead of number of reps at the highest possible weight. If the technique isn’t right, we start again. For me this is the #1 priority when training with weights, and what I find so inspirational when working with Brian. If technique isn’t right, injuries occur. Conversely, when technique and posture come together, the results are life-changing. Brian will watch and monitor every grip, stance, posture, movement . . .and constantly seek to correct what doesn’t look right. As a result, I am able to lift weights and count reps that I never thought would be possible! What I am putting on the bar, I am losing off the hips – always good for a woman!! I feel re-energised after a long period of being in the doldrums from a training point of view, and seeing the benefits so soon, is keeping me engaged in the programme, and my mind far less stressed by work. I am determined to qualify for the senior race team at my cycling club next year, but wouldn’t have dreamt of applying if I didn’t have the strength and weights work with Brian as a foundation to give me power, endurance and strength to my cycling legs and core. So don’t EVER think that squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bench press are “only for the muscle boys”! This type of training is critical to us all . . .whatever your sport and gender!
