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  • The Most Popular Fitness Influencers On TikTok

    The Most Popular Fitness Influencers On TikTok

    You might think TikTok is all about dance videos and funny memes, but there is some really great fitness content, or as it’s called, ‘FitTok’ as you dig a little deeper.

    TikTok, as we know it, has taken the stand as the most popular app of 2022. It’s no wonder fitness influencers have taken centre stage to grow their brand and share their inspiration. And if you’re a fitness enthusiast, it’s good to know who the top dogs are out there.

    So, let’s look at the top fitness influencers on TikTok.

    Demi Bagby

    American CrossFit athlete Demi Bagby has a massive 14.4 million followers. Her fame had transpired from documenting her recovery after a terrible cheerleading accident that could have left her paralysed.

    Now she shares inspiring and entertaining TikToks following her fitness journey, showcasing her best workouts.

    Antonie Lokhorst

    Online fitness coach Antonie Lokhorst has a whopping 4.2 million followers on TikTok. His popularity grew from sharing free workout videos on the app along with other gym-related content.

    As an online fitness trainer, he shares his best weight training and nutrition tips.

    Cassey Ho

    Cassey home is a well-known pilates and fitness instructor. Her fame originally came from sharing helpful YouTube videos on her best tips and tricks but has recently grown her following on TikTok to 2.8 million, sharing fitness hacks, challenges and motivation.

    Bradley Martyn

    Bradley Martyn is a social media fitness influencer and personal trainer who’s gained 2.8 million followers on TikTok by sharing gym memes and fitness inspiration. His fame doesn’t end here. Bradley has 3 million subscribers on YouTube, where he talks about health and fitness in detail.

    Ulisses Williams Jr.

    Ulisses has a massive following not just on TikTok, which is currently sitting at 2.6 million followers but has 8.7 million followers on Instagram. He’s a fitness trainer, bodybuilder, model and entrepreneur. He’s helping people with their physique by designing personal workouts and meal plans, but he shares fitness entertainment and inspiration on social media. And with a following like that, his approach definitely has worked.

    If you’re looking to start your personal training career, these fitness influences will inspire you! They are living proof that you will achieve your dreams and goals if you chase them.

    If you’re looking for personal training courses to boost your fitness career, then get in touch today.

  • The Best Fitness Trackers In The UK

    The Best Fitness Trackers In The UK

    Are you looking for the best fitness tracker for you in 2022?

    Honestly, most fitness trackers on the market give you a good indication of your physical performance. However, not all of them are the right fit. It all boils down to comfort, style and technology.

    You need to ask yourself what you’d like to measure, how comfortable you need your fitness tracker to be and what style you’d go for.

    With so many mixed reviews online, how do you know which one is the best for you? That’s why we wanted to round up the best fitness trackers on the market:

    Fitbit Inspire 2

    With heart-rate tracking, Active Zone Minutes, up to 10 days of battery life, and more, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is an easy-to-use fitness tracker that will inspire you, celebrate your progress, and keep you on track.

    Garmin Vivosmart

    With the Garmin Vivosmart 4 activity fitness tracker, you can upgrade your style while boosting your fitness. This thin, waterproof wearable fitness watch is jam-packed with physical fitness and wellness features to help you live a better, more active lifestyle.

    Samsung Galaxy Fit 2

    The Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 is thinner and more comfortable, with a thickness of just 11.1mm. The unique strap prevents moisture from collecting, making it ideal for on-the-go, all-day wear. It’s the ultimate fitness tracker, capable of elevating your comfort and style to new heights.

    Galaxy Fit2 is more than a fitness band. It’s small, sporty, and attractive. It’s always ready for a workout when you are, thanks to its 15-day battery life. It’s so comfy that you might not even realise it on your wrist, thanks to an ergonomic design!

    Apple Watch Series 7

    Track your activity seamlessly with the new Apple Watch Series 7. Apple Watch records all of your favourite workouts — from strength training to Pilates, HIIT, and yoga. Or, if you’re a swimmer, you can dive up to 50 metres if you like!

    That’s not all. Apple has also recently introduced Fitness+ – Apple Watch’s personal metrics link to your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Every week, they’ll show you new all matched to music by your favourite musicians.

    Xiaomi Mi Band 6

    Working with both Android and IOS, this fitness assistant will monitor all the aspects of your health to keep you on track with your fitness goals.

    The Mi Smart Band has 19 new fitness modes such as HIIT, Basketball, Boxing, and Zumba.

    Monitor your exercise duration, calories burnt, and heart rate to make your exercise more efficient and ultimately promote a healthier lifestyle.

  • Breaking stigma – Misconceptions of Female Personal Trainers

    Breaking stigma – Misconceptions of Female Personal Trainers

    It’s Women’s month – so we’re here to crush all the stereotypes around women PTs!

    At PT Academy we see female success all the time and many boss ladies become personal trainers just as successfully as others do. However, there seems to be a few old fashioned myths still floating around that we’d like to knock on the head in line with international women’s month.

    Female personal trainers aren’t as strong as male trainers

    We’re almost certain you’ve heard this one before! Of course, generally speaking, men are considered to be the stronger gender which is why male fitness trainers are regarded the same way. However many female personal trainers in the spotlight have proven they can lift just as much as men, and even if they can’t it doesn’t mean they can’t teach you exactly what you need to level up your training. You can get the right instructions and guidance both from female and male trainers. So, when push comes to shove, this stereotype of women personal trainers doesn’t really matter!

    Women personal trainers can only train women

    People often wrongly assume female trainers can only train women. This stereotype is not only untrue but also damaging to great women trainers who might miss out on potential clients because of it. There are plenty of female personal trainers who have both male and female clients in their schedules. Women trainers can teach people how to properly lift and avoid injuries just as well as male trainers. Correct lifting is all about the form, so it doesn’t matter if your female trainer lifts less than their male colleagues. They still know the right techniques! Training with a woman might even work out better for some men!

    It’s harder to find female weight training instructors

    People typically associate weight training with male personal trainers. That’s why it’s a common belief that there are more male weight trainers out there in the fitness industry! However there are women bossing it in this area of fitness expertise, you only need to go on Instagram to be inspired by the number of female weightlifters representing the lady fitness trainers of the industry.

    Our strength and weight training courses and CPDS are of course suitable for both men and women so reading this made you want to level up your strength skills visit PT Academy today for more details.

  • Essential Gym Kit for your workouts

    Essential Gym Kit for your workouts

    Some essential fitness items you never knew you needed.. Until now.

    You may think you have everything you need to smash those workouts on a daily but even seasoned fitness pros might be missing out on these surprisingly useful items.
    From wardrobe malfunctions to safety precautions and top quality accessories, we’ve got everything covered in this list of essential gym kits.

    Dumbbell set

    When it comes to gym equipment, a dumbbell set will probably be your most important purchase. They range from very light to very heavy so you can choose a weight according to your or your clients’ level. The Ruthless Strength Hex Dumbbells range between 2.5kg and 30kg, and are designed from premium rubber. They not only look great, but the chosen Knurl gives you the ultimate comfort grip and control. These fantastic dumbbells will make any training facility stand out from its competitors, plus the rubber ensures safety on the floor and reduces noise levels.

    Non-see through leggings

    Of course, we like to prioritise practicality over fashion when it comes to gym clothes. But the issue of see-through clothing can affect performance and confidence if your leggings aren’t passing the squat test, which can be quite embarrassing if you are working in a mixed gym or with clients! Get equipped with leggings that won’t let you down when you’re doing your thing at the gym. The classic Adidas originals women’s 3 stripe leggings are good quality, thick material and support shape as well as fit to true size. You can rely on these stretchy leggings to give you comfort but not give people a look through!

    NutriBullet

    Workouts are mainly about getting fit, losing weight and being healthy. And if there’s one essential item that helps you cover all these bases in one, it’s a Nutribullet. Of course, if you’re a fitness expert you will understand the importance of good nutrition. Get the exact nutrition your body needs and create a complete meal within seconds with the convenience of a Nutribullet. Take it with you to your place of work, or on the road. Find the best Nutribullet deals at great value here.

    Sweat-resistant headphones

    If there’s one thing that helps you get into the zone in workouts it’s music! So make sure those headphones are ready for whatever is thrown at them in the midst and grit of a sweaty workout. Aumo Magnetic Bluetooth Headphones are sweat-proof, wireless, noise-cancelling, and designed to stay snug and secure throughout your workout. They also have eight-hour battery life and a magnetic function that automatically clips around your neck when not in use.

  • Free Personal Trainer course!

    Free Personal Trainer course!

    Do you fancy spending your days at the gym instead of stuck in an office? Is your main passion exercise and fitness?

    A future in personal training could be right for you!

    Here at PT Academy, we always try to give back as much as possible, and one of our main priorities is to help young people fulfil their career dreams of becoming personal trainers.

    By embarking on a future as a PT you can turn your love for fitness and working out into a fulfilling career, one which changes and shapes people’s lives, and allows you to make a positive difference daily.

    In today’s climate personal training does so much more than change people’s physical appearance, it benefits their mental health, stress levels and empowers them to achieve things they never thought possible. You’re not only just a trainer and coach, but you’re also a motivator and an inspiration.

    As well as a rewarding career, there are great salary opportunities. If you decide to take the self-employed route your wage is limitless, the more hours you hustle the more you earn! You’ll also get to be your own boss, setting your own working hours and days, giving you a great work-life balance.

    So, in order to help young people, kick start their careers as personal trainers, we are giving away hundreds of completely free government-funded personal trainer courses to people aged between 18 and 24. Yep, you heard that right…completely free.

    To find out if you meet the requirements and to apply click here.

    If you need any help with your application, just get in touch and we would be more than happy to help you.

  • Top 4 qualities that make a kick ass personal trainer!

    Top 4 qualities that make a kick ass personal trainer!

    Personal trainers are pretty great people, (we promise we’re not biased) let’s face it! They spend the majority of their time helping other people achieve their goals and overcome numerous challenges, both physically and mentally. So when it comes down to it, what is the true grit that makes a personal trainer great?

    1. Patience

    That classic line… patience is a virtue! Fitness is a journey and everyone knows that results don’t just happen overnight. A great personal trainer will help someone overcome every setback, struggle and frustration with understanding of the process. Everyone will progress at different paces, depending on their personality and what they are trying to achieve. Once a personal trainer identifies both these things they can adopt a training programme for the client’s needs.

    2. Adaptability

    As a personal trainer you’ll probably come across just about every type of personality, goal, injury and excuse there is! Everyone has their own unique and individual journey to take which means personal trainers must be willing to stay flexible in their approach to help people reach those goals and drop the excuses.

    3. Authenticity

    Being a people person is one of the best qualities a personal trainer can have. And it’s also probably the most essential one! An approachable and friendly personal trainer will find it easy to form positive relationships with people, which is what people increasingly expect from their trainers now that mindset is just as important as physical shape. Learn how to speak to your clients.

    4. Passion

    This last quality goes without saying and is required for success in any field of work. A passion for what you do will bring optimism and encouragement to every training session and be the infectious inspiration someone needs to keep going. A personal trainer with passion is a personal trainer that shines even on rainy days!

    Did you just see all these qualities in yourself? Maybe you were born to become a personal trainer. Get in touch to find out how you can put those qualities to use in a glowing career.

  • ‘If you’re not learning, you are stagnating’

    ‘If you’re not learning, you are stagnating’

    This week we’re talking to PT Academy qualified personal trainer Alina Parpala. She tells us all about how becoming a mum for the first time inspired her to get into the fitness industry and how she’s done with the 9-5 grind and loves being her own boss.

    Can you tell me how you became a personal trainer?

    My passion for fitness started 7 years ago when I got pregnant. During my pregnancy I wasn’t able to exercise, the only activity I was able to do was walking (I was doing my daily steps of 12000-15000 during my pregnancy) and I felt really bad not being able to do more than that. So, I made a commitment to myself that when I’ll have the GP approval for exercise, I’ll train at least 3 times per week.

    Three months postpartum I joined a gym and started my fitness journey. That’s when I found my passion for exercise, the thirst for knowledge in training and nutrition, and ultimately my passion to help others improve their health and lifestyle. A fitness instructor saw my passion for fitness, suggested that I become a personal trainer and recommended PT Academy. I’ve done my research and PT Academy were the only ones who offered great value courses and had the best reviews, so I decided to go for it.

    Throughout my own 6years of training experience, from losing 15kg postpartum to regaining confidence and building my current physique, I’ve made all the mistakes and encountered all the challenges the average female/male makes. Experiencing these phases on my own skin gave me the knowledge and power to understand the journey and the possible struggles that my clients are facing throughout their fat loss and physique building journey.

    How did PT Academy help you get into the fitness industry?

    Getting qualified as a PT is not enough. Once you become a PT you also have the responsibility of managing your own business, and PT Academy supports its learners through the Business Skills CPD course, which gives learners lots of guidance and support in regard to managing their PT Business.

    Following up with what I’ve learned at the Business Skills course, I created my PT business: ‘Alina AesthetiX’ which is about helping others take care of their health, body and mind, develop healthy sustainable habits that will support their goals for the long run. The ‘X’ from the ‘AesthetiX’ outlines that we are much more than just our bodies, training isn’t just about looking good and having an aesthetic physique. It’s about how much training carries over to so many other areas of your life and improves your quality of life.

    The L2 Fitness Instructor and L3 Personal Trainer are very comprehensive from a theoretical point of view, and the support from the team is amazing. Love the CPD courses that helped me level up my skills and are great to add to any PT toolbox.

    Also, sometimes having to pay a higher amount of money for a course it’s what might hold you back from taking that step forward. PT Academy made the course accessible to everyone who wishes to become a PT, so there are no excuses if you love fitness and you want to help others improve their health.

    What’s your favourite thing about being a personal trainer?

    The feeling that I can improve someone’s life, love seeing progress and results with my clients, physically and mentally. I love the flexibility of working for myself without any limitations, and the opportunities to advance in my PT career.

    Another important aspect of training that I love about personal training and I need to mention is mental health and the impact that training has over one’s mental health. For example, in my case, we all know how soliciting it is to be a new mum and all the responsibility and stress that comes with that. As they say, ‘gym therapy’, I used training for mental release, as a break to refresh myself from being a 24/7 mum, and as a tool to look after my body and to do something for myself.

    Would you ever move back to a 9-5 job after working for yourself?

    Never. Working for myself is the way forward, becoming a PT gave me the opportunity to manage my time and business, and become my own boss. I have a 6-year-old son and I always plan my weekly schedule around his, so being a PT fits like a glove for me.
    Also, during this pandemic, I realised how important it is to be able to adapt to any situation. I was able to switch my clients to Virtual PT, outdoor training, adapt their training and keep my business running thanks to the flexibility of being a personal trainer.

    Can you give me three words that describe being a personal trainer?

    Passionate. Professional. Problem Solving.

    There are so many things that would describe being a personal trainer, three words are not enough.
    A personal trainer is leading by example with passion, determination, and commitment to help others improve their health. A PT is a leader, a problem solving professional, considerate, and adaptable to change and any situation.

    What advice would you give to someone who wanted to become a personal trainer?

    Learn. Grow. Transform.

    If you are passionate about fitness, you love training and you are genuine about helping others elevate their health and fitness, then becoming a PT is for you and it won’t even feel like work at all.

    If you’re not learning, you are stagnating.

    Always practice and teach others what you learned, level up your skills through CPD courses, training seminars, learn from your own mistakes, be considerate to your client needs and be adaptable to change. As fitness professionals we set the standards, so lead by example with integrity, set your values and always analyse your excellence attributes so you’ll keep growing in your PT career.

  • Get yourself to the gym… By order of Fitbox

    Get yourself to the gym… By order of Fitbox

    It’s rough out at sea in the fitness industry at the moment, with other gyms and sports facilities struggling to stay afloat and being forced to close due to Covid-19. The odds are against many but the team at PT Academy are more invested than ever.

    We are pumped to announce the opening of Fit Box Birmingham, a brand new gym brought to you by our very own PT Academy Chief Executive Adam Kiani.

    Adam will open the gym doors this Saturday 29th August revealing a striking, 6000 square foot facility with deluxe gym equipment. As Birmingham is home to the famous Peaky Blinders TV Show, the gym sports an edgy feel with the characters’ silhouettes painted on the wall.

    There’s a membership for every training goal at FitBox; whether you want to attend two classes a week or smash them daily, have one-to-one PT sessions or just rock up and do your own thing, it’s completely at your discretion. If you have commitment issues, rest assured you can book in three-month blocks.

    FitBox also wants to encourage all the powerful female gym-goers of Birmingham to come down and show the men that women can lift too! The weight benches might have been male-dominated in the past but times have changed and so have kick-ass women.
    This is why ladies have the option of joining FitBox’s ‘Fitness Femme’ membership at a reduced cost, with full access to the gym and also available in three-month blocks.

    For their debut month, FitBox is offering all members 20% off when they join. Call 0121 221 2241 to get in touch with a trainer with years of success and experience, who can keep you on track and motivated to reach your goals.

    “At a time of gym closures nationwide, recognising the increased need for fitness professionals, myself and the Fitbox team have worked tirelessly during lockdown to prepare this amazing 6000 sq ft facility in the heart of Birmingham.” – Chief Executive Adam Kiani