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.

Strength Training Over 35: 5 Truths Every Man or Woman Needs to Hear

ianwoodsc
Jun 30
3 min read

If you’re 35 or older and frustrated with your lack of progress in the gym, you're one of about a million people in the same situation.

Many men and women over 35 are training 4–5 days a week and still not seeing the results they want. Sound familiar?

Let’s strip it back the classic Ian Woo way. No fads, no fluff, no fictional fitness narratives. Just five essential truths about strength training over 35 that will change how you approach your workouts to get you progressing again.

1. Training Often Isn’t the Same as Training Hard

Just showing up isn’t enough. To make real progress with fitness over 35, you need to challenge your body in a meaningful way.

Ask yourself:

Are you pushing your sets close to failure?
Are you choosing weights that actually challenge you?
Are you getting quantifiably stronger on bang for buck movements?
Or are you just “going through the motions” for 60 minutes and hoping for the best?

Training for over 35s should prioritise intensity, progression, and recovery, not just frequency. So think about dropping your training routine from 5-6 high volume, low focus sessions to 3-4 lower volume but high focussed intensity session. I promise you it'll work wonders for your physique, energy and vitality.

2. Real Strength Gains Require Real EFFORT

Sure, home workouts have their place. But if your goal is to get noticeably stronger or build visible muscle after 35, you’ll need more than resistance bands and bodyweight squats.

Strength training after 35 requires:

External resistance (think barbells, dumbbells, high quality resistance machines)
Structured progression (progressive overload)
A commitment to making time for and showing up consistently for yourself.

You can get smaller and lighter at home, but you’ll struggle to get stronger and bigger. Protect time, and get yourself to a proper gym with proper kit that is adjustable to cater to bodies with a few miles on the clock.

3. You Don’t Just Train for NoW. You Train for Life

There is no “finish line” when it comes to health and fitness. Stop thinking of training as a 6-week challenge, an 8-week sprint or a 12 week transformation. Think of it as a forever skill.

Because the minute you stop training, you start regressing. Strength and fitness is a use it or lose it kind of deal.

The good news? The version of you that trains regularly is more:

Energised
Focused
Resilient
Adaptable
Happy

Fitness after 35 isn’t about ego, it’s about becoming the best version of yourself to date, both inside and outside of the gym. Why would you only want that for a few weeks? It's a not brainer to want that forever.

4. Stop Chasing the Perfect Program

There’s no magic plan. No perfect split. No secret sequence of reps and sets.

The key to success? Applying an effective plan with ruthless consistency.

What works for men and women over 35 isn’t novelty. It’s:

Showing up
Lifting hard
Progressing week by week
Recovering properly

You don’t need a new programme. You need to properly commit to ONE, and execute it properly with intensity. Programme hoppers need to jump of that wagon ASAP.

5. Bad Workouts Still Count

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: not every session will be a PB.

Some days you’ll feel tired, distracted, or unmotivated. Those workouts still matter, maybe more than the “perfect” ones.

Every time you train despite the noise, you’re reinforcing discipline. You’re building resilience. You're putting reps in the tank. You’re proving to yourself that you’re someone who follows through. And lets face it. The older we get, if we keep waiting for that days where we feel great to train... we're not going to be training all that often.

When it comes to training over 35, those messy sessions add up. Taking a 6/10 day to a 7/10 days is as important as taking a 9/10 to a 10/10. But I bet you'll have a lot more 6/10 days to work on that you do 9/10s. They add up fast.

Final Thought: Strength Training After 35 Starts with the Right Mindset

You’re not too old. You’re not broken. And it’s not too late. You just need to approach your training with smarter intensity, long-term consistency, and a plan that’s built for where you’re at, not where you were at 25.

Need help applying these truths to your training and nutrition? That’s where I come in.

Learn more about my 1-1 coaching services HERE.