Hi, I'm Coach Ian Wood
I help busy 30-40 year old "Everyday Athletes" find fitness that fits within their busy and fulfilling lives.
That could mean getting strong and building muscle on a tight time budget, training for a specific sport or event alongside a demanding home and work life, or getting leaner by regaining control of your nutrition.
If you've struggled with finding the balance between the "Everyday" and "Athlete" sides of your life, you've struggled to see results even when training hard and often, or you feel like you have to be "all or nothing" to make the progress that's eluded you so far, I can help.
I've been a strength and nutrition coach for 15 years, working with thousands of people just like you, helping them find their fitness that fits, and the last "diet" they'll ever need.
I know how to get results in a time and energy efficient way. I know how to overcome the barriers you face when balancing your fitness, family and career.
If you're ready to become #ForeverAthletic... you've found the right place.
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My Coaching Philosophy
1) Simple
It's my job to make this as simple and as easy to execute and win as possible. That means what you need, when you need it, with no confusion.
I love the idea that perfection isn't achieved when there is nothing left to add, rather when there is nothing left to take away. I want you to feel that when you're asked to do something, it's because it matters, because it moves the needle forward, and because it's the most efficient route to where you need to be.
2) Honest
I know that effective coaching is built on two way trust. Open and clear communication is key, with the honest feedback you need to hear delivered based off the honest feedback given to me about how your training and nutrition is going.
I also want you to know that I am always working with the best information available to my knowledge. That me staying honest to what's true and proven by staying up to date with the latest research and strength, conditioning and research, and using that alongside the knowledge and experience gained over 15 years of coaching.
3) Impact
I want to have as big an impact as possible. I want to help as many people, and much as possible, for as long as possible.
I don't want to get you in shape for 8 weeks just for you to revert back to step one 8 weeks later. I want the work we do together to change your life forever. Whether that's by building the lifestyle and nutrition that you can actually stick to for life, or the training programme that builds the strength, mobility and fitness that sets you up to stay forever athletic.
My Coaching Experience
2023 marks 18 years since I first enrolled on my undergraduate degree and began my career in sport and coaching. I started volunteering immediately, and took my first paying client 2 years later. Since then I have progressed through the industry, starting on the gym floor as an inexperienced gym instructor, to being the highly skilled and experienced freelance coach I am today.
Before going freelance I held two significant full times roles, spending 6 years as Health and Fitness Manager at SportBU, designing and running a £1.4 million pound facility, followed by 6 years as Head Coach at TeamCC Gym.
I was the Head Coach at TeamCC, where I coached private one-to-one or small group personal training sessions, working predominantly with powerlifters, weightlifters, field and court sport athletes (rugby and volleyball in particular) and injury rehab clients. I oversaw the whole coaching team, and set the standard for delivery and culture across two sites in Bournemouth and Poole.
Between 2012 and 2016 I was the S&C Coach for TeamGB Beach Volleyball, coaching the number one male pairing through Olympic Qualification, the Baku European Games, FIVB World Tour and CEV European Tour. I have coached many other high level athletes including Olympians, World Champions, GB youth athletes and TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) athletes.
I am an Associate Lecturer at Bournemouth University, lecturing on the Principles of Training unit for both the Sports Science and Sports Coaching degrees. I am also a tutor/assessor for Strength and Conditioning Education and The Academy of Performance Coaching at Bournemouth University. In these roles I have qualified hundreds of learners as personal trainers and strength and conditioning coaches over the years.
I have an MSc in Sports Management and a BSc in Sports Development and Coaching, alongside being an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) through the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA). I am also a Precision Nutrition certified nutritionist (PN1) and a Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist (FRCms).
As An Athlete...
I was a volleyball player for 11 years, predominantly playing indoors as a middle blocker and occasionally competing on the beach. I played at the top of the English leagues for SGTV Solent, reached the England squad, played in Volleyball England Beach Tour Finals and captained GB's All Star Team in 2014. I was fortunate enough to play alongside and against some incredible players and learnt a whole lot of valuable lessons about performance, psychology, competition, teamwork and leadership.
I started the sport late and played catch-up for most of my time, prioritising hard work and finding opportunities to play at levels beyond my ability. Strength and fitness played a huge part in the successes that I had, allowing me to compete on a physical level in a highly explosive and athletic sport.
I left the sport at 27 and have since competed in weightlifting, rugby 7's and completed a trail ultra marathon in 2021. It is my aim to continue to be athletic and perform at a high level throughout my entire life.
