Frequently Asked Questions
Whenever you try something the first time, there is often some level of trepidation and resistance. We know only too well how this can have an impact on the success of any weight-loss and fitness journey.
Our team of Personal Trainers are ready to help you at any stage, there is never a silly question and we want to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Never forget, we had to start somewhere too!
Remember, these FAQs provide general information about Health² Personal Training, and it’s always a good idea to reach out to the gym directly for the most accurate and up-to-date answers to your questions.
We are a private personal training studio in Oxford, and that word private is the important part. The studio is used only for one-to-one sessions, so there are no crowds, no queues for the equipment and nobody watching you train. It is a calm, bright space with carefully chosen kit, where you work alongside an experienced coach on a plan built entirely around you, your body and your life. Most of the people we look after are in their 40s, 50s and 60s and simply want expert guidance somewhere that feels welcoming rather than intimidating.
It is an easy first step. Send us a message through our contact page telling us a little about yourself and what you would like to achieve, and we will arrange a relaxed, no-pressure consultation. We will sit down together, talk through your goals and any niggles or injuries, and map out the right way forward for you. From there we usually begin with a Health & Performance Review, so your training starts with a clear picture of where you are right now.
Your coaching is led by Ben Fox, who has spent the best part of two decades coaching and has travelled the world to learn from some of the leading names in strength and health, then brought that knowledge home to the team he mentors here. Every coach is held to the same standard: knowledgeable, attentive and genuinely invested in how you get on. We think of ourselves as coaches rather than entertainers, so you will find no gimmicks here, just careful, expert guidance. You can meet the team on our About page.
All sorts, and they are rarely just about the number on the scales. People come to us to get stronger, lose body fat, move more easily, look after their joints and bones, build energy and feel confident in their body again. Strength training sits at the heart of what we do, because it is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health, particularly from your 40s onwards. Whatever you are working towards, we shape the plan around you rather than hand you something off the shelf.
Not at all, in fact it is exactly who we are here for. Many of our clients come to us feeling unsure, a little rusty, or nervous about doing the wrong thing, and that is completely normal. Because it is just you and your coach, there is nobody to feel self-conscious in front of. We will show you everything step by step, keep you safe, and build your confidence as we go, so there is no need to get fit before you start.
We start everyone with a 12-week package, because real change takes a little time and consistency, and twelve weeks is long enough to feel a genuine difference. That is where the commitment ends though, we do not lock you into year-long contracts like the big gyms. After your first twelve weeks you move onto a flexible rolling arrangement that you can pause or cancel whenever you need to, with no fuss and no awkward conversations.
Quite a lot, really. There is no membership crowd, no waiting for machines and no training in front of strangers, the studio is yours and your coach’s for the whole session. You are never left to figure it out on your own either, as every minute is guided by someone whose only focus is you and your progress. It feels less like joining a gym and more like having an expert in your corner. If you would like to see what our clients make of it, our reviews and case studies tell the story far better than we can.
It depends on your goals, your schedule and how quickly you would like to progress. Most clients train once, twice or three times a week, and we will talk through what makes sense for you at your consultation rather than nudge you towards more than you need. You can see how the different options work on our pricing page. Consistency matters more than cramming, so we would always rather find a rhythm you can genuinely keep up.
Yes, and it is refreshingly sensible. We have no interest in fad diets, cutting out whole food groups or anything you cannot realistically stick to. Instead your coach will give you clear, practical advice that fits around your life, so you can make small changes that actually last. Good nutrition is there to support your training and your health, not to take over your life.
Always. Nothing here is off the peg. Your programme is built around your goals, your starting point, your body and anything we should work around, such as an old injury or a hectic week. As you progress we review and adjust it regularly, so it keeps moving forward with you. It is the opposite of following a generic plan and hoping it happens to fit.
We make your progress something you can actually see, rather than just a feeling. It starts with a Health & Performance Review, where we measure things like your strength, mobility, fitness and key health markers, and we repeat it regularly so you can see clearly how far you have come. Alongside that, your coach keeps track of the day-to-day and fine-tunes your plan as you improve. Think of it a little like reviewing the key numbers in a business, except here the business is your health.
“I have lost 10lbs and more importantly I have not put the weight back on!”
Linda Smith
