I started my journey at Innate Fitness with real trepidation. I’d been in a lot of discomfort and pain for over a year with sciatica, and any new movement just seemed to set me back. One of the selling points was that the space was small, and that I’d only ever have two other people with me at any one time. But the equipment looked so different from my previous gym, which was full of fancy machines you had to queue for because so many people were using them.

 

I remember walking in, picking up a 2.5kg weight and thinking, “What on earth do I do with this?” But my tailored programme was amazing. It started simple, but I could finally do it without pain. The app on my phone was great, as I could watch the exercise videos as many times as I needed while doing the movements, and I could track everything. My programme could also be tweaked during my monthly personal training session.

 

I trusted the process, but I also put a lot of trust in Josh. There were times when I plateaued, and he always seemed to remind me at just the right moment how far I’d come. That encouragement kept me going. Looking back, I can’t believe the transformation. Nothing dramatic on the outside, I don’t have huge biceps or a four-pack, but I’ve got my life back, pain-free.

 

My goal at the start was simply to maintain a pain-free life, but those little 2.5kg weights are now firmly in the past. I’ve added weight to my programme that I never thought possible, using the squat rack for my Romanian deadlifts and doing press-ups from a low bar. Things I once thought were completely out of reach are now just part of what I do.

 

My job is easier, everyday tasks are a breeze, and I’m determined to keep getting stronger and stay free from sciatica. For the first time, I’m truly excited about my fitness journey.