INTRODUCTION:
Mitch Lisle has been a personal trainer and manager at The Treadmill Gym in Halifax, West Yorkshire for the past five years.
BACKGROUND:
Born and bred in Yorkshire. While in the sixth form at Rishworth School, Mitch spent two nights a week working in the gym.
PREVIOUS JOBS:
Went straight from school into working in the gym.
ROUTE INTO A CAREER IN FITNESS:
Mitch has always been interested in fitness and from a young age he knew he wanted to work in the industry. As a boy he played rugby, then from the age of 11 started boxing; his last fight was in 2014. While training for fights, he ran around 20 miles a week, with a mixture of long runs and hill sprint sessions. He has also completed a couple of 10km runs for charity.
TRAINING WITH CMS:
While he was on an apprenticeship at the gym, he was sent on a Level 2 Fitness Instructor course with CMS, held over three weekends at the Galpharm (now John Smith) Stadium in Huddersfield. This was followed by a 12-month Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training.
TYPICAL DAY:
As a self-employed personal trainer, Mitch trains clients of all ages from 18 to 60 plus. On a typical day, he has PT clients from 8am-12noon then PT clients and classes from 5pm-9pm. He also works shifts at the gym.
As an ABAE Certified Boxing Coach, he also trains amateur fighters and uses boxing to train other clients for fitness.
THE LEARNING PROCESS:
“I found the process was spot on. I had three different trainers at CMS and they were all very good. They helped me a lot, in different ways.”
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Completing the courses and starting work at the gym.
“My mum owns the gym and has done for around eight years. In the future I’d like to buy the gym off her. I’m manager of the gym and I run it when she is away, which gives me good experience for the future. Unlike a lot of people, I love my job and always have done, so I know that owning the gym is what I want to do, and it’s the next step for me.”
KEY CHALLENGES:
“I found the practical side of CMS straightforward but the anatomy and physiology theory was harder.
“Also, one of the challenges of running your own business is the promotional side: how to market yourself, get your name out there and win new clients.”
BENEFITS OF TAKING A CMS FITNESS COURSE:
“At the time of doing the courses, I was still boxing and I was quite skinny, which concerned me as I thought personal trainers had to look bigger. One of the trainers pointed out that you don’t have to look really muscular to do the job, in fact, it can be intimidating for the client if you are, which was helpful for me to know.
“CMS was very good, the trainers were helpful and I would definitely recommend the company. One trainer in particular was good at motivating me – if you didn’t do what you were supposed to, she would tell you. I thought, I’m not having her coming in and giving me that look!”
CMS
Well done Mitch, its great to read about your achievements!
Interested in a career in health and fitness? Read our blog on ‘ What qualifications do I need to become a Personal Trainer?‘.
