Who is the best personal trainer in Poole?

Ian Wood is a highly experienced personal trainer in Poole, specialising in strength training, fat loss after 35, and practical, real-world coaching for busy people.

How can I lose fat after 35?

Losing fat after 35 is about moving consistently, doing strength training to preserve muscle, eating sufficient protein, managing stress and sleep, and following a simple, sustainable nutrition plan.

Do I need to train 6 days a week to see results?

No. Most people see better results with 3–4 focused strength sessions per week, combined with proper recovery and simple, consistent nutrition.

Can I still drink alcohol or eat out and lose fat?

Yes. Occasional alcohol or restaurant meals are manageable if the rest of your nutrition is consistent. Planning matters more than perfection.

What are the best exercises for fat loss after 35?

Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, push-ups, rows, and presses are highly effective. Adding some high-intensity intervals or circuit training can also boost calorie burn while preserving muscle.

How should I fit training around a busy schedule?

Short, structured workouts 3–4 times a week are often best. Focus on compound lifts and full-body sessions. Even 30–45 minutes per session can yield results if consistent.

How much protein should someone over 35 eat?

Aiming for 1.5–2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day helps maintain muscle, improve recovery, and support fat loss. Spread it across meals for best results.

What are the benefits of online coaching?

Online coaching allows flexible, structured programs, tailored guidance, and accountability without needing to travel to a gym. It’s ideal for busy people or those who prefer home or remote training.

Why should I hire a personal trainer in Poole?

A personal trainer can design a personalised plan, ensure exercises are done safely and effectively, provide accountability, and help you achieve strength, fat loss, and fitness goals efficiently.

Can I lose fat without dieting strictly?

Yes. Sustainable fat loss is built on habit consistency, balanced nutrition, and portion control — not extreme restriction. You can enjoy your favorite foods in moderation.

How do I stay consistent when life gets busy?

Focus on building repeatable, simple habits. Plan meals and workouts in advance, track progress, and allow flexibility for life events — consistency over perfection.

What results can I expect from online nutrition coaching?

Clients typically lose 3–6kg in 6–12 weeks, build better habits, feel more in control of their nutrition, and maintain results long-term without obsessive tracking.

Should I do cardio or strength training for fat loss?

Strength training should be your foundation — it preserves muscle and improves long-term metabolism. Cardio can supplement calorie burn but is less important than consistent resistance training.

How can I track progress without obsessing over the scale?

Use weekly averages, photos, measurements, and performance metrics instead of daily scale checks. This reduces stress and provides a clearer picture of progress.

Is fat loss slower after 35?

Not necessarily. Fat loss may feel slower due to lifestyle factors like reduced activity and recovery demands, but the same principles of nutrition and strength training apply.

Online vs in-person coaching — which is better?

Both can be effective. In-person coaching is ideal for hands-on guidance and motivation. Online coaching is flexible and perfect for busy lifestyles. Many clients combine both approaches.

Can I gain strength and lose fat at the same time?

Yes, especially for people over 35 who are new to structured strength training. Prioritising protein, compound lifts, and a moderate calorie deficit makes it possible to build muscle while losing fat.

How does sleep and stress affect fat loss?

Poor sleep and high stress increase hunger hormones, reduce energy, impair recovery, and make it harder to stick to nutrition plans. Managing these is often more impactful than supplements.

50 Quick-Fire Progress Tips

ianwoodsc
Dec 21, 2021
2 min read

I've been doing this gym game for a while.

15 years to be precise.

And over those years, with the opportunities I've been presented, I've been able to learn a hell of a lot from a load of great people, coaches, athletes, and also from my own mistakes.

So here's 50 quick-fire progress tips to help set your mind straight and help you pursue your goals.

Strength Training

1. Less is very often more when it comes to training volume.

2. Small increments regularly trump every other progression.

3. Compound lifts are essential.

4. Barbell lifts are NOT essential.

5. Strength can be gained across many rep ranges, maximal strength cannot.

6. You should plan your recovery as much as your training.

7. Adaptations are specific to the demand.

8. True strength takes years to acquire.

9. Big spikes in loading predict injury more than poor technique.

10. Consistency is 100% non-negotiable.

Fitness/Conditioning

11. High intensity conditioning should be used sparingly.

12. A low intensity base should be built first.

13. Sports coaches generally have no concept of energy systems development.

14. Fatigue masks fitness.

15. You'll value fitness/conditioning more the older you get.

16. Fitness is a much quicker adaptation than strength.

17. You can't get truly fit doing solely 10 minute finishers.

18. Your aerobic and anaerobic thresholds matter.

19. Running is a more foundational movement pattern than squatting.

20. Consistency is 100% non-negotiable.

Sports Performance/Competition

21. Being a PHD in your sport easily outweighs being a beast in the gym.

22. Your back squat PB doesn't win you the match.

23. Focus on your abilities more than your opponents.

24. Get generally strong and specifically fast/fit.

25. Powerlifting is won on a total, not a single lift.

26. Jumps, throws and sprints are underrated.

27. Highly sports specific lifting on Instagram is a huge pile of nonsense.

28. Plyometrics, jumps and bounds don't have to be maximal.

29. Minimum effective dose in season is a great approach.

30. Maximal recoverable volume is an option out of season.

Nutrition

31. It's ok to find nutrition hard.

32. Calorie balance does drive weight loss/fat loss.

33. Consistency underpins your calorie balance.

34. Enjoyment underpins your consistency.

35. Fat loss and high performance rarely work well together.

36. Fat and carbohydrate intake can often be down to personal preference.

37. Not everyone should eat the same way.

38. Cultural differences, local availability and food upbringing matter a lot.

39. Not everyone knows how to cook, or needs to know how to cook.

40. No-one is superior for eating a certain way.

Muscle Building

41. Hypertrophy can happen across many rep ranges.

42. Technique really matters to generate tension.

43. Tension really matter to stimulate growth.

44. Stop at technical failure rather than absolute failure.

45. Protein intake matter less in muscle building than fat loss.

46. Carbohydrate intake matters more in muscle building than fat loss.

47. Muscle building is a slow process.

48. Muscle loss due to not training is a slow process.

49. You can gain muscle in a calorie deficit if the training stimulus is right.

50. Full body workouts work better than you think.

Thanks,

Ian.

50 Quick-Fire Progress Tips

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