30 years, still going strong.
I was eight-ish, at karate class, watching other students being pushed through stretches and exercises that made no sense to me. So I found a book — The Science of Flexibility by Michael J. Alter. A book that, it turns out, was on the neurology of stretching.
Did I read it? Yup. Did I understand it? Like I said, I was a kid. But it held my attention, and that curious part of me woke up.
Thirty years on, that hasn't changed. When something isn't right for a client — when standard advice fails, the pain keeps coming back, or previous programmes haven't delivered — the nerd in me wants to dig deeper to find out what's actually going on and what's holding you back.
What I actually do:
I help people over 40 build strength, move better, and feel more capable - in a way that works around their body, not against it. No generic plans. No advice that ignores your history.
The first session is about understanding where you are right now. Everything else builds from there.
The method behind the results.
M.A.D — Movement Activation Drills
A system born from 30 years of real-world coaching. Targeted movement sequences that restore mobility, reduce stiffness, and wake up your body — often within the very first session.
The Excuseless Mindset
Most people don't fail at fitness because of a bad programme. They fail because of the stories they tell themselves. This framework helps you identify and manage those excuses for good.
Beyond the gym
Personal training is only part of my work. Over 30 years in health and fitness, I have lectured to students training to become personal trainers and written accredited fitness courses for a number of education providers. I have presented at annual PT and fitness industry conferences and published fitness articles in a martial arts magazine.
That experience shapes every session. You get a coach who understands the science behind the exercise and can explain it in plain English.
What clients say
"I came to Dave suffering from severe sciatica pain. His personalised training programme not only alleviated my pain but allowed me to strengthen my body to the point where I am now living painkiller-free."
"David could not have been more professional and informative regarding an injury I sustained. Within weeks I was back to normal."
"As someone who hadn't been to a gym before, Dave was instrumental in building my confidence. He tweaked routines to match my progress and supported me through an injury with exercises to assist recovery."