Loved by celebrities the world over, the Personal Trainer is God. However, for those of us without the bottomless pockets or 'VIP factor' of the A-list, most of us assume that PT is way out of our grasp. But is this really the case?
I went to ONE PT, an exclusive personal training studio based in East London, to find out. I got a bit lost, but finally found the studio tucked away down a little side street. As soon as I walked in Joslyn welcomed me and sat me down to talk through my goals and any medical conditions or problems.
The first session then began with a Biomechanical Assessment. In plain English, this means Joslyn analysed my body's movements so she could spot any imbalances and then devise corrective exercises.
I had to stand in various positions and perform some simple movements while she watched how my body responded to them. It could have been a bit intimidating, but Joslyn was very helpful and friendly and chatted to me throughout.
I learnt that even standing 'naturally' one of my hands turns further out than the other, that one hip tilts further forward than the other and that my hip flexors (the muscles connecting the thigh to the abdomen) were partly to blame because they were too tight. It was certainly very revealing, but I did feel slightly deflated that there was so much 'wrong' with me, although Joslyn reassured me that this was all pretty normal for someone who spent their day sat behind a desk.
It was then time to get my body moving with some warm-up exercises. These consisted of 'dynamic movement training', taking the body through all of the planes of motion it is designed to go through, but doesn't when you spend your day sitting.
We then stretched through my quads (front of thigh) hip flexors (front of hip), my glutes (bottom), my hamstrings (back of thigh) my lower back, and my pectorals (chest) before Joslyn decided it was time to turn on the 'pain factor', namely sports massage. In one word (ouch) and 20 minutes of pummelling later, my whole body felt less 'tight' and more relaxed. Time for bed...
My second session saw the 'workout' proper come into play. I'd told Joslyn I wanted to lose a bit of weight and tone up for my wedding. She smiled. I should have known then that I was in trouble.
Joslyn told me she was already training a client for her forthcoming nuptials and that the best exercises for this were 'large compound movements, like squats and lunges which require a lot of energy and so give the best results. They are also massively important for posture. You should make sure your resistance training is combined with cardio for the best results, but cardio on its own is not enough!'
So how many times per week should you aim to exercise and for how long to get some serious results? Joslyn said: 'Ideally two or three times per week. You should notice a difference in energy levels in as little as two weeks, and you should notice physical changes from about the four to six-week mark, as long as you are consistent with your training regime.
'My main fitness tip for a bride-to-be, is to be consistent. If you make a goal to exercise stick to it, then you're guaranteed results. And don't skip on the lunges!'
What about diet? 'Cut out wheat, it drains your energy, and bloats your mid-section, not a good look in your wedding dress!'
We move straight on to the warm-up from the previous week, followed by 'single-legged toe taps' to work on my balance. Stand on one leg and reach down with one hand to touch your toes. Repeat ten times on both sides. Sounds easy doesn't it? Not a bit of it. I kept wobbling from side to side and lurching towards the wall for support.
Next was leg rotations for spine and hip mobility, then reverse lunges, medicine ball extended swings, and medicine ball squats and rotations, finishing off with press-ups, and press-up rotations. By this point I was really sweating, which is when Joslyn donned boxing pads and handed me some boxing gloves. She had to be joking, but no. Fifteen minutes of boxing later and I was done!
A few days later with the words 'cardio is not enough' ringing in my ears, I head down to my local gym and grab myself a mat and some medicine balls and take myself through the routine Joslyn taught me. I then manage 15 minutes of cardio at the end and I feel very proud of myself! The next day my muscles ache, but they ache in all the right places, namely the areas I've previously struggled to target. Now I know what the celebrities are paying for and it might just be worth it.
ONE PT is based in Lovat Lane, EC3R 8DW. Sessions are £53 per hour session and £28 per half hour. To make an appointment visit www.onepersonaltraining.com or call 020 7929 4256.
Top tip: If you're fairly self-motivated just 2-3 PT sessions should be enough to get you started. You can then perform the routines alone and go back every few months for an update.
Buffing potential? *****
Worth the money? *****