Rachael Smith Personal Trainer & Online Coach

Testimonials

Mark

"So im coming up to a year now with having Rachael as a PT. After doing martial arts most of my life, i finally settled into boxing. After competing in boxing for 10 years,

I ended up moving to Ipswich and was desperately looking for a new hobby/lifestyle. Feeling a bit lost in myself and depression setting in, i ended up meeting Rachael in the GymGroup, who convinced me to give powerlifting a go, not knowing anything about the sport I was excited to go ahead and give it a go.

Nearly a year later now and I'm completely sucked in, looking to competing in competitions, lifting weights I never thought possible!

So happy with my progress, especially seeing the amount of improvement in a short space of time! With this Rachael has gained my confidence in the gym, while creating a friendly atmosphere and making new friends and gym buddies haha. Rachael has greatly helped my mental and physical state which I will always be thankful!"

Cait

"As someone who has always been active, I initially wanted a Personal Trainer to learn more about the gym, gain confidence in what I was doing and to achieve my goals faster. My goals included building strength and becoming more toned as opposed to 'skinny fat'.

Within the first 8 weeks of training with Rachael I was able to lift more than I thought was possible and also notice muscle growth and strength.

From the onset Rachael (and this is something I consider one of Rachael's best attributes as a PT) has always provided me with all the information surrounding any of my queries related to fitness.

She taught me how to track my macro's and sent me loads of documentation surrounding it. She also sent me recipes to use for inspiration.

When I moved away from Ipswich Rachael then edited my workout plan to be an online client so I could still reach my goals. Additionally, Rachael then edited my workout plan to fit my busy work schedule whereby I can only spend short periods in a gym near my office.

She is my biggest supporter and celebrates all the big and little wins with me. As a result of her praise and confidence, I work harder in the gym and during our online sessions. As I have one online session with Rachael each week this holds me accountable on weeks were I feel too tired or unmotivated to show up at least once a week. After that session I always feel grateful for turning up and smashing my workout which gives me motivation to keep going. This accountability and support has transformed my mindset towards fitness to keep going.

Rachael's style of Personal Training has to be praised, in which she will push you both in your personalised workout plans and online/ in person sessions which allows you to progress and go beyond what you thought was possible, but she is equally as adaptable and sensitive to your needs and always makes you feel like you have and can achieve whatever you put your mind to. Anytime that you feel like you have fallen off track she is straight there to remind you that you are human and to encourage you to keep going.

Since my journey with Rachel I managed to tone up, build muscle and feel stronger. I am no longer scared of using a gym and feel confident to try new things. I have noticed that if my weight fluctuates my body is now faster to revert back to where I want it to be. My eating habits are so much healthier and I actively want to workout and maintain a healthy diet. Friends, family and colleagues have praised my physique since I have been working out with Rachael which has fuelled my motivation to keep going.

As much as Rachael is a very educated PT and it is evident she is highly knowledgeable about fitness, she is also a lovely person. Our sessions whether they are online or in person are always so much fun, we spend the first part talking and laughing before the workout begins. Rachael genuinely cares about her clients, her warmth and friendliness will put you at ease straight away which is especially good for any clients that may be scared about the prospect of joining a gym or having a PT. She is a PT who has always gone above and beyond for me to help me achieve my goals.

I can't thank Rachael enough for taking me on as a client, or praise her enough for what she has helped me achieve. Fitness has now become a big part of my life and I have suggested her to anyone who has shown an interest in wanting a Personal Trainer.

Tash

"When I first got back into the gym it was six months after lockdown ending and I hadn’t really exercised at all in that time. I felt like I had forgotten everything I knew. I felt lost in the gym and was only sticking to exercises I had been taught before. My previous pt I’d had prior to lockdown had me on low weights which was fine but never really pushed me.

When I met Rachael, she asked me what my goal was and I said I want to deadlift 60kg I can only do about 45 I think. She offered me a free hour session to test if we were a good fit and she had me hit a one rep 60kg deadlift in less than half an hour. Now I can comfortably do 5 sets of deadlifts at 70kg.

Every session I have she pushes me but takes it back a notch if I’m struggling to make sure my technique is right. For me I really need this because I’m fearful of further knee injuries and again this is something I am really thankful for as she is super patient with me even if I’m flapping, I trust her knowledge on things even when she makes me do the assault bike as part of conditioning.

I don’t often weigh myself and she respects that boundary which I love. We measure progress in inches and the weights I’m using! Also she is available pretty much 24/7 to people and I’m not sure she gets thanked enough- so thank you!

Feel so much more comfortable and confident in and outside of the gym since we started working together, now I’ll go into the free weight section even if I’m the only women which is completely different from where I started and I’m so happy I met her."

Freya

"When I started going to the gym, I didn't really know what I was doing, didn't really have any goals and just needed a push in the right direction. Fast forward three years and I'm still having a blast with the most incredible PT.

Rachael has made going to the gym fun, accessible, a positive experience and challenging in the best way. Even on my worst days, I'd leave my sessions feeling so much better about myself and I'm so thankful to Rachael for that.

Rach has shown me how I can challenge myself and make the most of my gym sessions without the pressure of specific targets and goals. I now just love doing anything with heavy weights and have developed a healthy attitude towards fitness, nutrition and, most importantly, myself.

And hey, I guess it doesn't hurt that I'm ever so slightly ripped now."

Heather

" I’ve been training with Rachael for nearly 3 years now and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. Not only have I got stronger and fitter physically but my mental health has improved so much.

Because of Rachael I’ve managed to fall back in love with life again. every single day she’s been my number one supporter and I couldn’t be more grateful to have had her come into my life, Rachael is like my family now.

I’m lifting weights I never would’ve believed I could and running distances that if you’d told me a couple of years ago I’d be doing I would’ve laughed. She’s changed my life in so many ways. "

Barbara

"I met Rachael about 3 years ago now to work on my mental and physical health. She’s helped me get back into enjoying exercise and an overall healthier lifestyle.

The biggest changes are probably improving my anxiety and confidence. I’ve felt so much happier and more comfortable working out by myself .

She’s great at tailoring workouts with exercises that you enjoy making them more fun.

She also doesn’t make me feel guilty for eating lots of cheese.

Thanks friend!"

Natasha

"When I first started with Rachel I had only really been doing classes. I lacked the confidence to go it alone and do my own workouts. I’d never used a squat rack or any weight higher then 10kg.

After training with Rachel for 12 weeks not only have I lost inches, I’ve gained knowledge and my confidence and motivation has grown. I now don’t care if I’m the only girl in the weights section .

Although daunting at the time I loved being pushed outside my comfort zone, confidently lifting weights I’d never thought id be picking up, using equipment I didn’t have a clue how to use before and enjoying it all.

Im proud of the pb’s I have achieved in these 12weeks. I love the changes I can already see in my body and that’s without changing my diet. But my biggest win has definitely got to be the confidence I’ve gained from my sessions.

Rachel is fun, friendly and welcoming. Each session is different and motivating. She listens to what you want/need and challenges you to reach your goals. The results speak for themselves. Thank you so much for all your help."

Cristina

"I have been with Rach for over 2 years now and I don't think I have ever been this confident in the gym!

Rach has taught me so much in terms of form and technique and I am the s strongest I have ever been thanks to her.

She is so supportive and always pushes me to be the best even when I don't believe I can!"

Petya

"What I truly enjoy about my experience in training with Rachael is the confidence she instils in me to lift heavier, train consistently and believe in my strength. I have been enjoying every minute of it and I am more motivated than ever before."

Amelie

"I have been training with Rachael for a year now (already!?) and she has been wonderful at making me enjoy training.

I don't think I would be able to get myself to the gym every week if I didn't realise how much fun it was going to be.

I am stronger than I have ever been and have discovered (who would've know!?) that I actually enjoy lifting heavy things!

Rachael is a great listener and very adaptable, she is always eager to help and I have never looked back since picking her to be my PT!"