TGtS... Meets David Maundrell

In our latest TGt Meets we've been speaking to fitness and nutrition expert David Maundrell, one of Next Generation's leading Personal Trainers. David will be contributing regularly to the site with advice and top tips to keep you motivated and on track for 2015.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at Next Gen? 

I am a level 3 REP’s qualified Personal Trainer and completed my qualification in October last year.  New to the industry, but with a wealth of experience behind me from a varied work background.  My role here is to help advise and educate people in the best possible exercise to get them to their goals.  I have a strong focus on the client and making sure the “personal” element of personal training is at the forefront of my mind.

How do you stay fit and healthy?

A combination of eating well and exercising properly is important – but so is relaxing, unwinding and resting! I am fortunate to work in the gym and so there is never an excuse for not doing the exercise, which is normally a combination of short, high intensity interval training and specific weights workouts.  My favourite piece of kit in the gym is the rowing machine – used correctly it really does work the whole body and can be very hard work when required!  The January Gym challenge is a rowing challenge – look out for the leader board with my name on it…..!

How did you turn your passion for fitness into a career?

By signing up to the personal training course and taking the chance on it.  Brave, some might say, but having sat behind a desk for several years, I realised that sitting down, staring at a screen simply wasn’t making me happy and I needed to be up on my feet, helping others.

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

Difficult one, as there are so many.  I like Einstein’s quote “Insanity : doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” It wraps up my approach to PT in one neat sentence – variety and changing what you are doing is as important as what you are doing to keep motivated and to prevent the body getting used to what you are doing.

What are your tips for people looking to get into shape?

Take it steady! Fad diets, overtraining and doing too much too fast are the main enemies.  Expect results, not miracles, as it takes time for the body to adapt and change and losing too much too fast can be detrimental in the long run. Come and see me or Angela at Next Gen and we can advise on exercise and nutrition to make sure that you are on track and will keep you motivated.  I run a course at the gym to help educate people in nutrition and exercise which will hopefully set them up to be able to make their own decisions on their training going forward.  Best advice is to talk to us, the experts!

What are some mistakes people make when working out?

One of three things normally: doing too much too soon; using the wrong kit / poor technique and doing the wrong exercises for what they want to achieve.  Whilst in the gym I often will spend a few minutes advising on technique and make suggestions to improve what people are doing to speed up their journey.

Are there any exercises you advise against? 

I try not to bad mouth any individual exercise if I can avoid it!  I like to advise using whole-body functional exercises wherever possible.  If forced, I’d say I don’t like sit ups as they can easily damage your lower back if you’re not careful.

What music do you listen to when you work out? I press shuffle on the iPod and go with it!  Currently this is a mix of rock, dance, indie and pop – a bit of everything (although when the Frozen soundtrack comes on I skip forward!)

What foods are always in your fridge?

Ham, chicken, salmon, eggs, whole milk and butter.  In fact, that’s about all there is along with fresh fruit and veg of course!

What's been the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing how the overall benefits of exercise are impacting on members of the gym and my own clients.  Not just in terms of physical changes, but the smiles and camaraderie that goes with working in a positive, people centred atmosphere, with a focus on overall well-being.  Everyone has a different starting point and a different goal and seeing people achieving those goals, whatever they may be, is very exciting.