Because Fitness isn’t a finish line ~ It’s a Lifelong Path
During my early 20’s and 30’s I spent most of my time windsurfing, when the wind was up I would be on the water, sessions could last 10 hours during the summer. I sailed in waves, in places such as Machrihanish, Tiree or Margaret River in Western Australia. My chosen discipline was wave sailing. Wave sailing is very physically demanding so I was very physically fit at this time.
Roll on a couple of years and I had returned from Australia, I spent a windless summer on Tiree and was now living in Oban as a stay at home father to Joe. Over the next few years my fitness declined and the weight piled on. By the time Joe was 6, his sister Eve was on her way. I was already an older dad and was hitting the scales at 18 stone. I knew I had to do something about it.
I didn’t know a lot about weight loss or standard fitness routines. So I started running, over the next couple of years I ran a lot but didn’t lose much in the way of weight. So I decided to enrol on a Personal Trainer course. By 2012 I had completed this which provided me with the knowledge not only on how to improve my fitness but also how to properly tackle weight loss. I lost the weight and improved my fitness finally running the Edinburgh Marathon in a time of 3.25min.
Now in my 60s I realise that staying fit is more important than ever ~ fitness is now about longevity!! And remaining functionally active. I had to under go a knee replacement in 2023. This was a daunting thought and I had doubts as to whether I would be able to teach fitness classes again or do the other activities that I love. I used my knowledge from being a GP referral instructor and understanding injury prevention/rehab to write myself a training programme so I could go into surgery with as much strength around my knees as possible. I couldn’t believe it – I was back teaching my Spin Classes 5 weeks after the op!am now
I got back into windsurfing but mainly foiling (using a hydrofoil) this can be done locally and requires less wind. I no longer run but cycle both outdoors and in spin classes. I use the gym to retain muscle and the various classes that I deliver from Les Mills Grit to Les Mills Strength Development help with both strength and power ( having power is crucial in reactivity and can help stop falls as we age) . I now look to pass the knowledge I have gained onto others and have a passion for training people who are in a similar position to me in the past. Wanting to change but not sure how to do this.
Client Reviews
“I have been training with Ian since July 2024 I had a knee operation and lost my confidence in the gym . I had a chat with Ian to see if he could help me overcome this issue and he coaches me usually twice a week with rehabilitation exercises for my knee with the focus on technique and adding other routines for all over body to help me reach my goals , Ian makes the session relaxed and I always come out feeling a sense of achievement.”
Flo McBurnie
“I joined the Happy Wee Health Club over a year ago and it was a great decision.
I was very sceptical because I had not enjoyed gym’s previously and my confidence was very low.
I started a weekly PT session with Ian initially to increase my strength and fitness for skiing, which was really effective, and I continued with the sessions after the holiday because my confidence increased and I have really enjoyed learning how to do exercises effectively.
Ian makes sure the sessions are enjoyable but challenging.
Really worthwhile and I would recommend to anyone”
Ciorsti Baxter
