Ed Story Text | Innate Fitness

Ed's Story

Ed's Introduction To Innate Fitness

I joined Innate in September 2024 after It had been recommended to me by a friend. Josh saw me for a trial session and took me through some basic movements so I could get a feel for the place. I said I’d be keen to join, and Josh put me on a bronze membership to start as I’d get a free introductory PT session. In that session, Josh built me a starter programme where I could begin to pursue my goals of building muscle mass and forging aesthetics under the motivation of solid long-term health.

I was 22 when I joined. I had some gym experience before, but I hadn’t had any coaching. Since I didn’t know what worked best in gyms at the time, I’d usually quit after 3-4 months and be paying for a commercial membership for months without even using it. I’d tried other gyms around Shepton but just felt a bit lost, even if I sensed I wasn’t doing something right, I felt like the staff or people just watched and wouldn’t step in to help me out.

After my first month, I’d switched to a silver membership and decided to give the gym a proper go. I felt seen for the first time. It was very comforting having someone who is clearly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about my progress building me a dedicated programme and guiding me through it. Josh wasn’t just there for me during the monthly PT session; he was always available If I needed help or guidance during my usual sessions. This helped me stay motivated and break past that barrier of 3-4 months in the gym as I finally saw and understood what I needed to do to achieve my goals.

I trusted the process for the first few months. It felt good to have a set routine that I was able to smash out. It started with a 3 day a week split and evolved into two upper body sessions and two lower body sessions per week after 5-6 weeks. It was this split where I made the bulk of my initial progress over the next year or so. During that time, I’d had some knee tendonitis and shoulder issues which Josh helped me deal with by restructuring, changing my programme and showing me different ways to do an exercise without agitating the injury. Both issues went away after a couple of months of this.

Six Month's In

Ed's Main Transformation Period

At month 6, I noticed a huge difference, I’d hardly missed a session in that time, and it was paying dividends. I started my journey at about 73kg and was now at about 80kg. I felt way stronger and looked much better proportionately. I didn’t really have many back muscles before, but I could now see a good foundation as I started to see some key muscle groups show through. This made me extremely happy that I’d stuck with things because I was finally doing the right thing in the gym and seeing some results. It’s probably why I'd quit after 3–4-month spells before as id just not see much, if any progress. This is where I knew I was on the right path.

After 12 months, I was feeling amazing. My sessions were hard but rewarding, the gym had become a special part of my week that I’d always make time for. I’d told myself to see the gym as a doctor’s appointment, so I’d stay consistent and not miss it. At this point I was weighing in at 85kg with a peak of 87.5kg beforehand. I’d always had this skinny-kid mentality, not believing that I could achieve a good physique like I’d seen online and feeling a bit weak and that I wasn’t reaching my full potential. My mind was still catching up with me though. For instance, at the start of this journey, Josh told me that I’d be able to do strict bicep curls with 15kg-17.5kg. I was stuck on 10kg for months and started to have some doubts about myself. Josh told me to move up to 12.5 as he thought I was ready and I could do it. It felt amazing to break that barrier. It didn’t take too long to hit 15kg and then peak at 17.5kg not long ago!

It’s difficult to put into words how much more confidence I’ve gained because of this transformation, the level of pride I can take in knowing I’ve achieved a physique I can be proud of now and excited to continue to grow and evolve. I really took a while to see these changes in myself, as I said, I was still just a skinny kid in my head, I’d got to a point after a year where people said they could see I’ve been working out, it felt very surreal. I then went to reading festival and was able to pick up my brother whilst he had someone else on his shoulders, all those squats came into play. It’s not about the feat of strength, it’s about that cool moment being possible and the fact I could help create it, that is a very empowering feeling.

As a result of Innate Fitness, the gym has become a cornerstone for my mental health too. There’s a real community feel to the place, and everyone is supported regardless of where they’re at. It feels like glazing, but I genuinely mean this when I say it: Josh saw the potential in me long before I could see it in myself. I really didn’t believe this transformation was possible, if he hadn’t believed in me, I probably would never have taken this step to this extent and overcome the anxiety that came with starting to gym regularly.

Month 15 New Zealand

Remote Coaching & Continued Progress

At month 15, I’d flown to New Zealand and stayed there about 4 months, during this time, Josh provided me with remote support and a new flexible programme. I’d send him some clips of my workouts, and he’d come back with written and video feedback. I’d had a blip where I didn’t train for a few weeks but was ultimately able to get back into the full swing of things. I’d started running, doing 5k’s every Saturday for Parkrun. The good thing about getting into shape is that it opens the doors to other types of fitness too, it sounds contradictory, but I’d never be running if I hadn’t been to the gym first. You’d be surprised how much your quality of life can improve in so many ways just by keeping yourself fit. I’m just now getting used to being the guy who’s expected to lift things and being called a gym rat or being ridiculed for being healthy (even though my diet would sometimes suggest otherwise).

If you’re starting out like I was, here’s my advice:

Commit to the gym as a lifestyle, this means the gym is a part of your life alongside a good diet and some sacrifices such as cutting out drinking. I didn’t drink at reading festival and realised I didn’t need it too to actually enjoy it.

Trust the process, you’ll get some minor injuries, things might feel uncomfortable but just stick with things, the reward is worth it. Naturally, consult with Josh or a physio first but most beginner things like tendonitis just need you to stick with things whilst that tendon grows stronger, it takes a lot more time than muscle does.

I can’t exaggerate how much my mental health improved alongside my physical health, I feel so much more capable in most areas of my life, trying things I didn’t think I would. My first friends in New Zealand came from going to the gym there when I landed. It’s impacted my life in ways I never imagined, it lifted a big cloud from my head, and I must give Josh some credit for that as I don’t think he often appreciates just how much he can improve someone’s life if they’re willing to listen.

So, there’s my story, I’ll just add that squats are almost worse than being set on fire but just stick with them, your quads will thank you. You’ve already won by just showing up 2-4 times a week, so have as much fun as you can, even if that fun is unlocked later with the progress, you make today.