MP Personal Training

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY — SCHOOL HOLIDAY EDITION

We’re well into the school holidays now, and for plenty of parents that means the normal routine has pretty much gone out of the window.

The kids are at home, childcare has to be worked around, days out cost a fortune and finding a bit of time to look after yourself can suddenly become much harder.

But what if having the children with you didn’t have to stop you training?

At my private Personal Training Studio near Hove Station, I’ve deliberately created options that work around family life rather than expecting family life to work around the gym.

You can come in for your own 1-1 session and bring your child along with you, or if they’re 8 or over, you can turn it into something you do together with one of my Parent & Child or Family Training sessions.

For me, that’s where the family side of fitness becomes really valuable.

Your children get to see you making your own health a priority, they get the opportunity to join in, build confidence and learn that exercise doesn’t have to be a punishment — and you get to train without having to find someone to look after them first.

It’s quality time together, but with a purpose.

I’ve been working in the fitness industry for over 23 years, and the studio is completely private, so there’s no busy gym floor, no intimidating environment and no expectation that you need to already be fit before walking through the door.

SEN children are very welcome too, and everything is approached around the individual family rather than trying to squeeze everyone into the same session.

Maybe it’s the heat we’ve been having, but I do still have some school-holiday availability over the next couple of weeks.

And if the thought of exercising in this weather is enough to put you off, there’s another advantage to training privately with me...

The studio has air-conditioning.

So you can escape the heat, get some movement in and, if you want to, bring the kids along and make it something you do together.

30 and 60 minute options are available, with the school-holiday family prices shown in the image.

Drop me a message if you’d like to have a chat about what would work for you and your family.

Martin
MP Personal Training

KEEPING EVERYONE ENTERTAINED IN THE HEAT...

It's another hot one, and as much as we all want to make the most of the summer, sometimes getting everyone out in the midday sun really isn't the best idea.

So, following on from all the family interest on the page this week, I thought I'd share something a little different for the weekend.

If you're hiding away somewhere cooler during the hottest part of the day, why not get everyone around the table and do something together? Dig out a pack of cards and learn a game you've never played before, grab some paper and have a go at origami, or get the pencils and paints out and see what everyone can create.

It doesn't always have to involve another screen and, coming from a Personal Trainer, it certainly doesn't always have to involve exercise either. Sometimes keeping the whole family occupied, laughing and doing something together is a pretty good way to spend a couple of hours.

I've found a few FREE resources to give you some ideas:

PLAYING CARDS
Bicycle have rules for loads of different games, and you can even choose by number of players and who's playing. There are plenty for children too, including Snap, War, Concentration and Go Boom.

https://bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/

FAMILY ART
The BBC have put together a free Family Art Activities guide with different projects you can try at home, using everyday and recycled materials.

https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/bigpaintingchallenge/activities_for_families_and_groups.pdf

ORIGAMI
Fancy seeing who can make the best one? This has dozens of free step-by-step designs with different difficulty levels, including printable instructions.

https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-instructions.html

And if cabin fever does eventually kick in and you head outside, try to leave it until things have cooled down a little, take plenty of water and keep on top of the sun cream.

Sometimes making the most of a summer weekend means knowing when NOT to be outside in it.

Have a great weekend everyone, and stay safe in the heat.

Martin
MP Personal Training

WELL... I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT!

Earlier this week I put together a post with some information for local families about the Solar Eclipse, including a few safe ways that parents could watch it with their children.

It was something a little different for this page, but I thought it might be useful, so I shared it into 9 local parent groups in the area.

Then you lot took over!

People started sharing it into local community groups that I hadn't posted it in, tagging friends and family and passing the information on.

I've just had a look through the analytics for the page and, by the time it had finished doing the rounds, that one post had achieved
60,332 views, reached 36,647 accounts and generated 3,136 engagements through reactions, comments, shares and everything else.

By quite some distance, it's the best-performing post I've ever had on this page.

So I wanted to say a genuine THANK YOU to everyone who shared it, commented, tagged somebody or simply helped get the information in front of another local family.
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For anyone who didn't see it, or is wondering which post I'm talking about, this was the original:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EuLYo92oG/
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Yes, this is my Personal Training business page, and that's very much what it will remain.

But health, fitness and wellbeing don't exist in isolation. Getting individuals and families outside, encouraging children to be active, helping parents look after themselves and finding realistic ways of fitting movement and exercise into everyday life are all part of the bigger picture.
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So, this has got me thinking...

What health, fitness or exercise subjects would you genuinely like to know more about?

Maybe it's training as we get older, exercising with your children, getting back into fitness after years away, strength training, dealing with aches and pains or simply finding ways to stay active around work and family life.

Let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can put together.

After more than 20 years working in the fitness industry, there's plenty we can talk about — and if there's something I don't know, I'll happily research it properly.

Besides...

We've apparently got a 60,332-view target to beat now!

Martin.

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR THE FAMILIES TOMORROW...

Tomorrow evening, Wednesday 12th August, we get the chance to see a pretty special solar eclipse here in the UK.

We won't get totality in the UK, but over 90% of the Sun will be obscured across much of the country, making this the most significant solar eclipse we've seen here for many years.

Rather than the kids watching it on a screen, why not make a bit of an event out of it?

One problem...

Proper eclipse glasses are becoming difficult to find, with quite a few places now sold out.

So here are a few SAFE alternatives that you can make at home with the kids.

1. MAKE A PINHOLE PROJECTOR

A classic option and a nice little science project for the kids beforehand.

You DON'T look through the hole at the Sun. You stand with the Sun behind you and project its image onto another piece of card.

NASA's instructions:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/resources/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/

Or here's a simple video showing how to make one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hj8O-SLWpU

2. RAID THE KITCHEN — USE A COLANDER

Yes, genuinely.

Hold a kitchen colander up so the sunlight passes through its holes and project the shadow onto a piece of white card, a wall or the ground.

Each hole effectively becomes a tiny pinhole projector, so as the eclipse progresses you'll see lots of little crescent-shaped Suns.

BBC Sky at Night explains how:
https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/how-to-view-the-eclipse

3. THE SIMPLEST VERSION — CARD AND A PIN

You don't actually need to build anything complicated.

Make a small pinhole in a piece of card, stand with your BACK towards the Sun and allow the sunlight coming through the hole to project onto another piece of white card.

NASA explains this and several other indirect viewing methods here:
https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/lesson-plans/how-safely-observe-solar-eclipse

4. EVEN YOUR FINGERS CAN DO IT

NASA also suggests crossing/interlacing your fingers so the tiny gaps between them act as pinholes.

Again, keep your back towards the Sun and look at the projected images on the ground — NOT at the Sun itself.

You may also notice the same effect underneath leafy trees, where the gaps between the leaves can produce dozens of little crescent Suns on the ground.

IMPORTANT BIT FOR PARENTS

Please don't let children (or adults!) look directly at the Sun.

Normal sunglasses are NOT sufficient.

Don't improvise with things such as smoked glass, CDs, phone cameras or homemade filters.

And NEVER look at the Sun through binoculars, a telescope or camera unless it has the correct specialist solar filter fitted.

If you're viewing it directly, use proper certified solar eclipse glasses. Otherwise, stick to one of the projection methods above.

Tomorrow's eclipse is expected to begin at roughly 6.15pm across southern England, reaching its maximum at around 7.15pm and finishing shortly after 8pm, although exact times vary depending on where you live.

You can put your location in here to get the exact eclipse timings:
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in.html

And if you or any family members have any disabilities that mean you cant get to see it, there's even going to be a live stream:
https://www.timeanddate.com/live/eclipse-solar-2026-august-12

It doesn't have to be exercise-related for us to encourage families to get outside together.

Make a projector with the kids, head outside after dinner and experience something that they might remember for years.

Just please do it safely.

Martin

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

Another Monday, another fresh week ahead of us.

But with the temperatures climbing again, this week isn’t about pushing harder just for the sake of it. It’s about being sensible with how and when you move.

If you’re training, walking, cycling, working outside or simply spending time with the kids, try to avoid the hottest parts of the day where possible.

Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day, not just when you suddenly realise you’re thirsty.

And don’t forget the sun cream.

Putting it on first thing isn’t necessarily enough to see you through the whole day. Reapply it regularly, particularly if you’re sweating, exercising or spending a long time outdoors.

Exercise doesn’t always have to mean smashing yourself into the ground either.

A morning walk, some gentle mobility, a shorter training session or getting outside later in the evening all count.

Adapt to the conditions, keep yourself moving and look after yourself.

There will always be another day to push a little harder.

Have a great Monday and stay safe in the sunshine.

Martin
MP Personal Training
Hove

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS... MAKE THEM COUNT.

Are you looking for something a little different this summer?

My Family Focused Fitness Sessions are designed to get everyone moving together, whatever your age or fitness level.

Whether you're looking to build confidence, improve health, spend more quality time together, or simply try something new, every session is tailored to your family.

Train one-to-one, as a parent and child, or bring the whole family along.
Sessions take place in my fully equipped private studio near Hove Station, where there's no crowded gym, and no one is trying to keep up with anybody else.

To help make family sessions more affordable over the school holidays, I've reduced my standard adult session price while keeping pricing flexible based on who is taking part.

If you'd like to create some healthy memories together this summer, I'd love to help.

Send me a message if you have any questions or to check my remaining availability.

Martin
MP Personal Training

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS DON'T HAVE TO PUT YOUR HEALTH ON HOLD

For many parents and grandparents, the school holidays often mean your own health and fitness gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

It doesn't have to.
At MP Personal Training, I've designed my private studio around real life, helping busy families stay active without needing to find childcare or squeeze into a busy commercial gym.

There are a few ways I can help:

• Train on your own while your younger child stays safely in the studio with you.

• Parent & Child Personal Training for children aged 8+, giving you both the opportunity to build confidence, get stronger and spend quality time together.

• Family sessions where everyone can get involved and enjoy moving together.

SEN children are always welcome, and every session is adapted to suit the people in front of me.

I've spent more than 23 years helping local people improve their strength, confidence and quality of life, and one thing I've learnt is this:
Behaviour breeds behaviour.

When children grow up seeing exercise as a normal part of family life, everybody benefits.
If you've been saying "I'll get back into it once the holidays are over," why not make this the summer you don't have to wait?

If you'd like to see the studio, have a chat about your goals or find out which option would suit your family best, just send me a message.

I'd love to show you around.

Martin

MP Personal Training
Private Personal Training Studio
Near Hove Station

Behaviour breeds behaviour.

The people around us are influenced by the choices we make every day.

Whether it's our children, grandchildren, partner, friends or colleagues, positive habits have a way of spreading. If we make time for our health, move more and look after ourselves, we're often encouraging others to do the same.

The same applies to training. Exercising with someone else helps keep you accountable, makes sessions more enjoyable and often leads to better long-term consistency.

So why not get those closest to you involved?

Whether it's your child, partner, friend or another family member, you can work towards your own goals while helping someone else achieve theirs.

I offer both 30 and 60-minute sessions, including:

• 1-1 Personal Training
• Partnered Training
• Child Training (aged 8+)
• Parent & Child Training (children aged 8+)
• Family Fitness Sessions
SEN children are always welcome

Training takes place in my Private PT Studio in Hove, just a short walk from Hove Train Station, with local bus routes nearby and parking right outside.

• Indoor & Outdoor training spaces
• Private entrance
• Private parking
• Over 23 years' experience
• Fully Qualified
• Fully Insured
• Enhanced DBS certified
• Calm, welcoming environment

If you'd like to find out more, just drop me a message.

If you know someone who might benefit, I'd really appreciate you sharing this post or tagging them below.

Martin

Well I'm in, all set up and ready for my 10 client day..

Air-con is cooling the space down.
Fan is doing its thing.

And more importantly - My breakfast has been eaten, so I'm raring to go too lol.

Come and chat sometime. Lets see how I can be helping you break barriers n feel lore like yourself again.

Have a good day.

M