Anna Mai Personal Training

Even personal trainers get nervous in new fitness spaces.

I know because I'm one of them.

If someone whose literal job is all about movement can feel this way, then your nervousness about trying a new class, joining a gym or changing your way of exercise is completely legitimate.

I’ve recently joined a newly opened, local class-based gym.

Having taught at boutique studios in London, these kind of spaces are familiar to me. I still, however, felt that low-level discomfort at the beginning of being in an environment I couldn't fully control and might feel out of my depth.

That feeling reminded me exactly why I don't do generic programmes with my 1-2-1 clients.

What feels very accessible to one person might feel completely overwhelming to another. Not recognising this ignores the very real emotional and psychological barriers which exist.

A real life example from one of my online clients last week:

She had been working with the same dumbbell weight for a little while. I told her we were going up slightly. Her face, however, said it all - there was instant panic.

Physically, she was definitely ready but emotionally, not quite.

So I made a deal with her. If she tries the heavier weight then she can drop back to the lower weight whenever she wants - she has full control over that.

She then relaxed. She gave it a go and guess what, she surprised herself!

She was more than ok with the heavier dumbbells and has been using them since.

This doesn’t mean staying in your comfort zone all the time but it does mean doing things gradually and on your terms so you don’t feel so out of your depth that you lose trust (with yourself and with me) and dread coming back.

Feeling some nerves or resistance is normal.

But if you’re absolutely dreading every single session then that's a sign something probably needs to change.

You're not being difficult or dramatic.

You just need an approach that actually fits how you experience movement.

And you 100% deserve that.

P.S. After my initial nervousness about joining the new gym, I now absolutely love it!

Clients who stick with movement long-term aren't the most disciplined ones.

They're the ones who've found a reason to do it that actually means something to them.

It's something I've thought a lot about after the London Marathon. Nearly 60,000 people completing 26.2 miles.

Every single one of them carried to the finish line by something deeper than a training plan.

They all had their "why."

The same is true for everyday movement - knowing why you’re doing it.

These are some whys my clients have shared recently:

✨ Staying independent for longer - after seeing their own parents/grandparents lose their mobility and freedom, and wanting a different outcome for themselves

✨ Improved energy and mood - knowing that the right kind of movement has such a positive impact on the rest of their day

✨ Being able to continue their active hobbies for as long as possible - because it brings so much joy

✨ Wanting to be the strongest version of themselves - because it’s fun to lift heavy things (and feels good!)

This kind of why doesn't need willpower, it needs remembering. And it will be unique for each of us.

So if movement feels hard to sustain right now, before you look for a better routine or more motivation, it might be worth sitting with this question: what's my why?

If you’re keen to discuss how I can support you bringing your why to life, check out my website annamaipersonaltraining.com

One word changed how I felt about my entire morning.


A few Sundays ago, I naturally woke up early and decided to do something I love but rarely do: I stayed in bed and read my book.


No rushing to get up and out, even though I do also love a morning walk or run (particularly in the sunshine!). But on this Sunday all I wanted was to have some uninterrupted reading time while sipping on my cup of coffee.


It felt like it was exactly what I needed. I felt relaxed and happy with how I'd spent my morning.


Later that day, I was chatting with someone and my morning came up in conversation.


Their response was:


"I love a lazy Sunday morning!"


It was said so genuinely but something shifted in me the moment I heard the word 'lazy'.


Suddenly, that delightful morning I'd been so pleased about felt too indulgent. Like maybe I should have gone out for that walk or been more ‘productive’ with my time.


We've been so conditioned to equate rest with laziness that many of us can't even enjoy it without guilt creeping in!


This isn't just about Sunday mornings. It shows up everywhere, especially in the fitness world.


Sayings like “the only workout you’ll regret is the one you didn’t do” do not help.


They fuel the idea that more is always better when in fact we know from the evidence that rest is also massively important for our health and wellbeing.


So after noticing the impact the word lazy had on me, I’ve actually made myself push through that discomfort and sit with it when I feel I should be doing something more 'productive'.


Personally, I know the positive impact reading has on my wellbeing so why am I seeing it as an act of laziness rather than self-care?


In my experience, rest is often the forgotten part of the wellbeing puzzle. The one most easily pushed to the side when actually if you are physically active and using a lot of mental energy then that rest time is a non-negotiable.

If you’re tired of the diet culture noise (hello, January….) and wondering whether moving your body for reasons other than weight loss can actually change how you feel in yourself, here’s what some of my online clients said as they reflected over 2025.

This means:

✖️No “quick fixes”
✖️No pressure to change your body size
✖️No 12-week transformations

Instead:

⭐️ Personalised, weight-inclusive, research-supported personal training

⭐️ Discover what your body is capable of and build a relationship with exercise that fuels strength, mobility, and energy - now and for the long term

⭐️ Use movement as an investment in your health, wellbeing and quality of life (the stuff that actually matters!)

I call it Movement For Life ✨

➡️ If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for then I have a couple of new slots available. You can learn more through my website (link in bio)

Best weekend ever. Married .wilkes on an animal sanctuary in the Peak District with family, friends, dogs, alpacas, the cheekiest goats, hens, geese and a lot of overlooking sheep. Had incredible vegan food from start to finish and the cherry on top was the rainbow at sunset 🌈 while the goats couldn’t resist eating my tasty bouquet 😂 Swipe to the end for video evidence…

Thank you so much to everyone who made the day so special 💛

Venue Lower Damgate Farm Cottages & Wedding Venue. Dovedale Animal Sanctuary
Photographer Peter Majdan Photography
Videographer Red Wren Studios
Celebrant .the.celebrant
Caterers Vegan Junkies
Hair and make up
Florist
Cake Jojo's Vegan Bakery
Violinist
Musician Mike Hardy
Dress

Before and after body transformation photos are everywhere.

They’re popular because they often tap into our insecurities about our bodies.

The message?

That feeling better about yourself comes after you look thinner, more toned, or muscular.

People often say they feel more energised, sleep better, and have more confidence once they become the ‘after’ photo version.

But is it really the size of their body causing these changes?

Or could it be that:

😴 They’ve started prioritising sleep�
🍽️ They’re eating in a more balanced way�
🏋️ They’re moving their body in a way they enjoy
💆‍♀️ They’re resting and recovering better

They’re also probably getting lots of predictable comments like “Wow, you’ve lost weight! You look amazing!” which can also feed into that narrative... for now.

External validation from others when it comes to body weight can be very unhelpful and potentially extremely harmful (speaking from experience, as someone who’s had an eating disorder).

The truth is, there are lots of things we can do to enhance our health and well-being without changing our body size.

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A question that I get asked frequently: how does online personal training differ from in-person?

First thing to note is that online personal training is different from online programming. Online programming is where you get an exercise programme to follow and complete in your own time. Online personal training is just like in-person training sessions, but online!

For online personal training:

⭐ You can be anywhere in the world as long as you have a good internet connection and some space to move (I currently work with clients abroad in the US and France)

⭐ You can connect with me from the comfort of your own home/wherever you're staying

⭐ It’s exactly like meeting in person, except I’m next to you on a screen instead (you still get my full attention, expertise and guidance, just like you would in person)

⭐ We can use equipment you have available (household objects are also great) and if you don’t have any/don't want to use any, then it’s my job to adapt the session accordingly

⭐ There’s no travelling to and from the session involved

⭐ If you’re away from home then you can still have your session (my clients have had their sessions from all over the world!).

⭐ You can fit your sessions more easily in between other things you have going on that day

⭐ No need to check what the weather is doing (an important one in the UK!)

⭐ You can be in your own shower within seconds after your session...

What clients have said about their online personal training experience:

💬 “I didn’t think I’d like online sessions, but it actually works better for me as it fits in with my lifestyle and the quality of the sessions are exactly the same”

💬 “Anna notices everything, just because it’s online doesn’t mean her attention to detail is lacking!”

💬 “I thought I’d have to stop our sessions as I was moving back to the US but after giving online a go, I realised how similar it was and wanted to continue”

If you think online personal training is for you, head to www.fitnessgrains.co.uk to book your free consultation 😎

[Image description: Purple background with yellow writing which says “how does online personal training differ from in-person?”]

Adding games to sessions is my favourite way to see clients moving. And it’s usually the most rewarding for them, too!

🧩 They don’t realise how much they’re doing

🧩 They have a task to complete so it makes the exercise much more interesting and enjoyable

🧩 They are encouraged to move in a unique and successful way to them

🧩 If they are competitive with themselves or others then that can also be a great motivator

🧩 Research shows that the best way of learning and developing a skill is through external targets (I like using numbers around a clock for example), rather than giving internal cues (e.g. brace your core, chest up, knees in line with toes etc…)

The kind of game completely depends on each client and their own individual goals so it’s fun for me to get creative!

Sonja is in her 60’s and she exercises because she knows it’s good for her.

She doesn’t love it, but she’s told me multiple times that the games we do in our sessions make her experience so much more enjoyable.

Because of this, games make up most of her sessions. She’s got a task to complete, which she does to the best of her ability.

She might not get it the first time or she’ll wobble her way through but that’s encouraged - it’s how our bodies learn, adapt and find the best way of doing it 🙌

If you’re looking for a more creative approach to movement, you can book a free consultation through my website www.fitnessgrains.co.uk!

[Image description: Orange, purple and yellow background with a speech bubble in the middle which says “Anna offers a creative approach to what can often be laborious and difficult. The approach is refreshing!”]

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However, I am the right personal trainer for you if:
✨ You’d like to have a better relationship with movement
✨ You’re tired of chasing aesthetic ideals and want to try a different approach
✨ Working out isn’t your whole life, but you’d like to make that part of your life more enjoyable
✨ You want to train for life, to be as mobile as you can for as long as you can
✨ You’d like your movement routine to be personalised to reflect your unique goals, needs and preferences, rather than following a generic programme

It’s hard to offer something different in an industry so heavily linked with weight loss and diet culture. It goes against what people associate with a personal trainer. However, the biggest benefits of moving your body aren’t to do with aesthetics.

They’re to do with your mental wellbeing, heart health, bone density, muscle mass, balance, general mobility, energy levels, how you feel in yourself etc. All things which are not measured by how you look.

Research shows that people who engage in health promoting behaviours for reasons unrelated to appearance are more likely to maintain these habits consistently and develop a healthier body image.

Chasing aesthetic ideals often leads to constant comparison with others and dissatisfaction with your own body, and that’s not something I want to promote.

As a personal trainer, I encourage you to find ways to move that enhance your own unique everyday life, don’t make you overly focused on your appearance, and help you find the freedom to move in ways which you enjoy and fit in with your lifestyle.

[Image description: Yellow background with purple writing which says “I’m not the right personal trainer for you if:”
- You’d like a ‘before’ and ‘after’ photo
- You only want to lose weight and have no interest in training for any other reason
- You only want to workout to look a certain way for a holiday/wedding/bikini competition/a specific event
-You want to follow a generic programme which doesn’t take into consideration your unique needs, goals and preferences
-You only want to engage in the latest fads]

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Bodies aren’t ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

I’m sure we’ve all said or heard someone say “this person has such a good body”.

What does this even mean?

It probably means that they fit in with society’s aesthetic ideals. I’m guessing we all have a similar image in mind: low body fat, ‘toned’ appearance, visible abs etc.

But why have we been conditioned to believe that this is a ‘good’ body? 🤷‍♀️

All bodies are of equal value, we’re just constantly told that some are better than others.

That we should strive to be the smallest versions of ourselves. That we’re more attractive, will have more opportunities and fit in to society better if we have what people would call a ‘good body’.

This is why I very much dislike before and after photos. It adds to the narrative that before = bad, after = good.

What’s ridiculous is that people will do things that are bad for them to have a ‘good body’.

I know because I was one of them. I was the smallest version of myself and my body wasn’t even functioning properly. I was underweight, my life revolved around obsessive habits (constant calorie counting, hours at the gym etc.) and my period had completely stopped.

But it was all ok because I had what society calls a ‘good body’ 🤦‍♀️ I was literally told by people that I looked good and it fuelled my disordered eating and unhealthy mindset.

It’s very hard to have a healthy relationship with our bodies when we categorise people based on their appearance.

So please can we stop labelling bodies as good or bad.

Or even better, stop commenting on other people’s bodies full stop.

[Image description: Purple background with yellow writing saying “bodies aren’t good or bad, they’re just bodies.”

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