

TOM BERRY
I am Tom and from 2011 to 2020 I became one of the leading personal trainers in New Zealand. In 2020 I moved back to the UK with my family. After an unexpected stint as a stay-at-home dad during the COVID-19 pandemic, I rebooted To Be Personal Training first in Cambridge and then in Exeter and East Devon.
Before setting up To Be Personal Training, I attained a First Class Honours Degree in Ancient and Medieval History at Birmingham University and then completed a Graduate Management Scheme with Waitrose. In the past, I have been an avid road cyclist, a footballer, a rugby player, a cricketer and a national-standard track and field athlete (age group level; let’s not get too carried away). I have also had lots of fun in the past running obstacle/mud races with clients (many of whom were far faster than me!).
I believe in practising what I preach. I eat well, exercise regularly and try to manage my stress levels. I am fit and healthy but not a fitness fanatic. I enjoy recreational track and field athletics as part of a balanced lifestyle that involves spending time with my family, reading, making preserves gardening and writing children's books.
I take a holistic, common-sense and no-nonsense attitude to health and fitness. Training sessions are always fun, functional and focused on the needs of the client.

QUALIFICATIONS
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Qualified personal trainer
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Qualified UK Athletics coach
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Current UK Athletics coaching license
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Enhanced DBS certificate
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First aid trained
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REPs Registered whilst in New Zealand
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Now registered with UK Coaching
WHAT TO EXPECT
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I speak to my clients respectfully.
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I prescribe appropriate exercises for clients' levels of fitness and goals.
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I provide honest, realistic and constructive advice and guidance.
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I understand that there is more to people's health and fitness (and also happiness) than exercise and diet.
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I understand that there are many reasons to exercise regularly. Weight loss is only one of them.
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I turn up on time (well, 99.9% of the time – see photo) with a plan and a good attitude.
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I understand the limits of my knowledge and I do not step beyond my professional scope of practice.
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I encourage you to take responsibility for your health and fitness. I am a very useful and knowledgeable tool for you to use, but ultimately your health and fitness is your responsibility.
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I practice what I preach.
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I occasionally dig into my repertoire of dad jokes. What's orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot.

The time I turned up to the wrong location for a Saturday morning boot camp.
My round of hot chocolates.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
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I do not encourage binge exercising with gimmicky weight-loss challenges.
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I do not plaster my social media with cheesy before-and-after photos of clients in their undies.
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I do not think up ludicrously complicated exercises to make me seem 'cutting-edge'.
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I do not talk to clients like children if they aren't following their home programs.
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I will not supply you with performance-enhancing drugs (I don't even endorse protein shakes, despite easy money-making opportunities).
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I do not engage in inappropriate relationships (I'm very happily married thank you very much).
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I do not prescribe inappropriate exercises because I saw someone on Instagram doing them.
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I do not look at my phone during training sessions (PT pet peeve number 1).
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I did not become a personal trainer in the hope that clients would motivate me to become fitter.



