In my 20s I was extremely active – my day job was very physical and I was healthy and quite strong. However from my late 20s onwards I had a very sedentary job – basically sat in front of a computer, all day every day, and I didn’t get much exercise in my spare time either.

As a result, all through my 30s and for most of my 40s I became increasingly overweight.

Of course like many, I tried lots of different diets, but nothing seemed to stick (apart from the lard on my body!) and any kind of exercise was ‘sporadic’ at best. A bit of occasional walking, cycling or swimming — but not often enough to make a difference.

As I reached my early forties I managed to hit the heaviest I’ve ever been, and I wore baggy clothing to try and hide my weight.

In recent years I noticed quite a few of my friends started taking their health seriously. One of them now competes in ‘Iron Man’ events all over the world, and another one even ended up being featured in a National newspaper and also on the front cover of a magazine—due to their amazing transformation.

I guess being inspired by friends like those, combined with the growing realisation I could end up having spent my entire adult life being fat finally prompted me to take ‘serious action’… in other words, joining a gym!

Up to that point I’d always avoided gyms. I imagined it involved being surrounded by slim muscle-bound athletes who were there to simply ‘keep fit’, rather than ‘lose lard and get fit’ (my goal). However I realised I’d have to swallow my pride and start going, because trying to sort it out myself was simply not working.

I Google’d quite a few local gyms online, but looking at their websites they seemed to match my expectations – lots of perfectly toned young people lined up on row after row of exercise bikes and treadmills.

However I then found BodyComplete.co.uk — which had a lot of videos showing normal people of all ages doing routines which I could even imagine myself doing! Also the instructors in the videos appeared to have a great sense of humour—it looked like it might actually be fun rather than embarrassing!

I arranged to meet with Chris for an introductory session, which went really well. Chris and the rest of his team (including Zoe, Jon and George) were all friendly and understood right from the start what my goals were.

To start with I had an accountability session, which confirmed just how out of shape I was. No surprise there. But rather than leaving that first session feeling deflated and demoralised—I remember feeling really excited about finally taking action.

Since then (well over a year ago) I’ve been to the gym at least two or three times a week (I have a mix of private one-to-ones and group sessions) and in the last year or so I’ve lost a tonne of fat (okay, not an actual tonne, but a lot!) and replaced it with muscle mass instead.

As of writing this I’m 47… yet I’m actually stronger now than I was in my 20s!

I’ve also had a lots of fun, met some great people, and no longer ‘huff and puff’ when I get to the top of a flight of stairs!!

I only wish I’d not had such silly hangups about going to gyms and started at Body Complete a long time ago.

However, I’m there now, feel great, and like they used to say at Orange… the future’s bright!  🙂

Ed Rivis

March 2020

I joined the Stronger for Longer programme initially as I had a bad back and felt like an old croc struggling through the day. GP couldn’t help so I asked Chris for help. After the first few minutes he had identified the issues and after the first 30 mins I felt well-oiled and like a new person. I’ve had no issues at all ever since. The programme is brilliant and tailored for each person’s abilities encompassing all strength and movement necessary to help with an improved performance in daily life and whatever goals each person has. It’s a very friendly group and the coaches are encouraging, friendly and fun. It’s a joy to come in and I always feel better. I never feel weak or a failure and everyone is so encouraging and supportive. There is such a positive atmosphere.

More recently I embarked on the 28 Day Body Balance system, mainly to get some order and control back into my eating. I was basically unbalanced and struggling to get back to normality after Christmas winter etc. It was a fantastic programme. Structured but still flexible enough to work with juggling schedules, family life and away days. The menus and recipes were all really easy and lovely, so every meal felt like a treat and made it so easy to follow. The coaches were so encouraging helpful and realistic. The shared photos and advice from the chat group was really helpful too. It really helped me gain The Balance which I can take forward into the future. I will definitely be keeping to it. I’ve learned what works for me and what doesn’t and feel so much better.

Helen has achieved so many goals since starting with us. She won our ‘client of the month’ last year and again achieved some gains in terms of putting on muscle mass and losing fat as a % of her weight and 17cm from around her body. Her fitness has markedly improved whereby she can happily attend the Semi Private Coaching sessions (BCSP) if she wishes, even though she may feel out of her comfort zone. Helen recognises the importance of regular exercise and understanding what and why she is doing the exercises set in the sessions in a particular way. That allows her to get the best out of the time she invests here in herself. For Helen this is a sustainable, fitness journey and one she knows she needs for her all round health and well-being.

7 weeks ago I asked Chris Stringer and George Barker if they would put a 6 week “Beasted” program together for me.

This came from watching former world strongest man Eddie “The Beast” Hall record a series of “Beasted” challenges where he took people with completely different body types and put them through 6 weeks of training.

Week -1 I was assessed in various lifts (bench press, front squat, deadlift, strict shoulder press etc) to find what my “1 rep Max” was. (more…)

I have been a member of Body Complete for around six months and I have loved every minute. I was welcomed and made to feel at home immediately and had a fabulous first session with Chris to assess my fitness and set my goals. I manage to go to three or four classes per week, each of them well planned and enjoyable. (more…)

Latest feedback from our clients on the BC Dream Team. 

Chris, George and Jon are all excellent coaches and bring different aspects to each session. It is good to experience all of the instructors to learn different methods and thoughts on how to approach getting fitter and stronger.

Chris brings experience and humour and his sessions flow brilliantly. He pushes you on to maximise your efforts to get the most out of you. (more…)

What does SFL mean to me:

Life, living, vitality, energy, well-being, positivity, structure, strength, hope, which ripples to the whole family.

From feeling 100 with a bad back and lifelong painkillers, Chris sorted me out in 3 minutes. The sessions have transformed my mindset and health which has impacted on my family. (more…)

(more…)

My Husband said he wanted to join a gym and I said ‘why, we have joined gyms before and been those people that pay and do not go?’ He said this is a different gym. So he went for a meeting with Chris and joined. A month after that our daughter joined also.

A month later after listening to what Pete had been doing with Chris I decided to have a chat with Chris and then joined. (more…)

I joined Body Complete because I wanted to lose weight and do a bit more exercise. My weight had been gradually creeping up and I was horrified to find myself a size 16. I was really nervous about being fit enough to do the classes, however Chris and Zoe put me at ease straight away. There was no pressure to join and I had the chance to go to a few classes first, to make sure it was right for me. (more…)

Having been a very loyal member for nearly three years, I got a job a bit far away to make it back for core every Friday (Holland).

But I want to tell you all, what the guys at Body Complete train into you doesn’t just help you in the sessions you go to. That stuff is life changing, attitude changing, stuff that sticks with you. I’d still be an avid member if I was back in the UK but now I’m here I started HIIT and kickboxing sessions. And I’m listening to my new trainer as best I can, and he’s good. (more…)

Anna Lowe

I have thoroughly enjoyed my short time on the 21 day challenge with Chris ,Zoe and the early riser Jon . The classes are totally enjoyable but tough. They know their stuff and it was addictive .. friendliest gym I have ever walked in to . The results were awesome and now I’m looking forward to January when I feel I will be ready to go back . Loved it , see you all soon , Anna
(more…)

I started the 21 day challenge to kick start my healthy eating and increase my exercise. (more…)

I joined Body Complete in September 2018 on the BC4X programme. I’ve been running for four years – usually three or four times a week, but not really doing anything else in the way of fitness and exercise. I wanted to do something that would complement the running; I have no upper body strength and my core needed work! (more…)

Over two years ago I had a bad cycling accident which unfortunately resulted in my right shoulder being dislocated and broken and my left shoulder with a dislocation also. The injuries sustained to my right shoulder have been extremely debilitating and frustrating for myself. After several sessions of physiotherapy and manipulation I still saw no improvement at all to movement or a reduction in pain. A friend of mine suggested trialling the Functional Movement Programme at Body Complete. (more…)

I’d like to take this opportunity to praise Body Complete, especially Chris Stringer.

(more…)

I cannot recommend Body Complete enough. I love all the people that attend. They are so friendly and welcoming. The workouts are never the same which keeps you on your toes. Chris is amazing at ensuring that technically you make every rep work for you. Nip in and speak to Zoe who will show you around and chat through the best options for you.

Michelle’s thoughts on Body Complete:

I started with Body Complete 3/4 years ago doing the Bootcamp. Chris Stringers motivation, energy and personality got me through two freezing winters on the beach, made me a lot fitter, stronger, thinner and mentally happier. (more…)

I use to compete for fun in 10k trail and road runs, mountain biking and triathlons, then I tore my cartilage in my knee which stopped me from doing any sport, it was operated on in May 2017 and they found arthritis in my knee. (more…)

Since meeting Chris on our first session I was encouraged by his personality, knowledge and his ability to quickly understand you, not just what you want or problems you might have but what works for you as a person. (more…)

I joined Body Complete just as a 21 day challenge was about to start so the timing was perfect for me (even though I didn’t really have a proper idea of what I was signing up for!). (more…)

I’ve always been active throughout my life, mainly running, but I felt it was time for something differentother than clocking up miles. I did a summer boot camp a couple of years ago and loved it. However, due to work commitments and mental health ups and downs, I never kept it going.

(more…)

I’ve just finished the 21 day Challenge with Body Complete, and am over the moon with the results.Thing is, I knew I would be. It’s a programme that works, and that’s for a number of reasons:

(more…)

The results of the 21 Day Transformation programme have surpassed all my hopes and expectations.

Before starting I was the heaviest I’ve ever been and I’d not done much exercise for months. I doubted if I had the willpower to stick to it and maybe I was just getting to old to bother with the gym.

(more…)

I have always tried to look after myself and keep active but have always done it on my own, either at home using DVDs or swimming and walking.

Never even considered PT until I had a hip replacement and found that some of the follow up exercises were hurting my knees.

(more…)

I’ve always been into exercise and stuff, have tried to keep active and fit but mostly done it on my own at home. I exercised from videos and went walking but if my routine got interrupted by anything it took me ages to get back into it.

(more…)

My name is Anne, I’m 54 years old and I want to tell you about my experience of being a client of Body Complete gym.

My story starts some years ago when I discovered that I weighed more than 16 stone.

(more…)

I signed up for private training sessions with Chris at Body Complete….

It was quite challenging at first as I had not done much resistance training in the past, but after just a few months I really noticed improvements in my general fitness, core strength and flexibility.

(more…)

After too many children and a kite-surfing injury I was in serious need of specialist attention when it came to exercise.

Chris assessed my abilities and weak spots and explained that not only was my core shot, but also my shoulders weren’t functioning and that both core and shoulders were supposed to function as a unit – who knew?!

(more…)

I signed up just over 4 weeks ago as I was feeling , fat, sluggish and demotivated. I walked through the green door of BCHQ with trepidation , and was greeted by the gym owner, Chris Stringer.
(more…)

My sister and I have been going to Body Complete for four weeks now and we love it!

This is not your usual gym – we have regular check ins with Chris to monitor progress and we have been given nutrition plans which has changed our entire way of thinking about food.

(more…)