The TTR Blog
Honest training advice,
in plain English.
Tips on getting started, strength, nutrition and mindset — written by our coaches for adults in Kendal and Kirkby Stephen who want to feel stronger and more confident.
“I’d Never Been to a Gym”: Pauline’s Story
Pauline joined TTR at 68, having never set foot in a gym. In the first episode of A Mile With Matt, she talks to Matt about starting out, finding her strength and rebuilding after a setback.
You don't need to be fit before you come to us
Worried you'll hold the group up or be the least fit person there? Starting is our job, not yours. Here's what actually happens on a first visit.
What are you actually paying for with personal training?
It's natural to compare coaching with a gym membership. But access to equipment and someone helping you use it are different things. Here's what coaching actually includes.
How to start exercising again after years away
If it's been months or years since you last trained, here's a gentle, realistic way back in — without the gym dread.
The plan that fits your busiest week
Most fitness plans are built for the week everything goes right. Here's why we'd rather plan for the week it all falls apart — and how to keep going when it does.
Your first session shouldn't feel like a punishment
There's an idea that a good first workout should leave you unable to walk downstairs. We'd rather you leave thinking, 'I could do that again.'
Why we're filming A Mile With Matt
Before-and-after photos don't tell the whole story. A Mile With Matt gives our members room to talk about what starting really felt like — out on a walk, away from the studio.
What happens when motivation wears off
Everyone starts when they feel motivated. But nobody feels like training every week. Here's what actually keeps people going when motivation runs out.
Training for the things you want to keep doing
Weight loss might get you through the door. But the real question is what you want to be doing in five or ten years — and how training helps you keep doing it.
Why we don't hand everyone the same workout
Two people can arrive at the same session needing completely different things. Here's why personalised programming matters — and how it works in a small group.
Why strength training matters more after 50
Muscle, bone and balance — the three things that quietly slip after 50, and how twice-a-week training keeps them.
You can care about your health and still enjoy your food
Getting started doesn't mean giving up meals out, favourite foods and anything convenient. Here's how we think about food that actually fits your life.
Community is built in the little moments
We talk about community a lot. But what does it actually feel like when you walk through the door? Usually, it's the small things that make the difference.
What to eat before and after you train
Not a diet plan — just the few simple things that genuinely make a difference to how you feel and recover.
Rather just come and see us?
You can read all of this, or you can come and meet us at a free open morning. No workout, no pressure, just a chat and a look around.