- Home
- Background Information
- Fitness Blog
- Testimonials
- FAQ
- Current Newsletter
- Newsletter Archive
- Group Fitness
- Workplace Workouts
- Prices
- Contact
Snippets from the Inbox
"As an overweight and unfit 40 something I knew I needed to make some big changes. My partner was keen to try a personal trainer, and although not particularly struck on the idea, I said I would give it a go. I was dreading it. I don’t like being told what to do. Never have. Never will. That whole “get down and give me 20” drill sergeant thing was not going to bring out the best in me. I was expecting a mammoth clash of wills and of course the inevitable failure. Tracy could not be further removed from this stereotype. She has a brilliantly empathetic approach to exercise, and I find myself responding very positively to her instruction and guidance. Already I feel fitter, happier, and healthier and I’m really enjoying myself." - Sarah, June 2010
"I have achieved one of my big goals! At climbing my climbing buddy is very light, so belaying me was very hard for him. He has to be attached to a sandbag so that he doesn't take off when he is lowering me. There is only one sandbag heavy enough to make up for our weight difference, until last night, when he was saying that I have lost so much weight that belaying me is easy and he can use the lighter sand bags :) I am very happy! Thank you!" - Kris, February 2010
"If you find yourself stuck like I did in an 'excercise rut' not getting any stronger or faster Tracy can provide you with a wealth of advice on both health and fitness, After a few sessions with Tracy I now feel I have the equivalent of a 'fitness toolbox' I can pick and mix dependent on my mood and most importantly free time." - Lynne, December 2009
"Thanks Tracy! I am enjoying it all so much, I never thought I'd say that about exercise!" - Jess, October 2009
"I have been training with Tracy for the past three years. In that time she has helped me become fitter, healthier, reshape what I eat and when and I have lost weight into the bargain! More importantly, she helped me through some tough times by keeping me exercising, which gave me the mental and physical strength I needed.
Tracy is brilliant at motivating me - without her I would not make it out of the door to exercise! She is excellent at finding out what makes you tick and making you feel good about the progress you are making.
I need variety in exercise to keep me interested and Tracy is a skilled and experienced trainer who knows so many different and fun ways to help you get fitter and healthier. Go on give her a call, you won't regret it." - Satwat, June 2009
"I came to Tracy will the goal of passing the police fitness assessment, which I had already failed. Tracy helped tremendously and was a wealth of knowledge. She pushed towards my goal and always had faith in me which helped my confidence along the way. Thanks for all your help, I don't think I would achieved it on my own" - Danielle, Feb 2009
"Thank you for all your help Tracy, we have only been working together for a few weeks and I have already reached my goal in considerably less time than I had expected. I am delighted with the results and I now have a new goal that I am excited about working with you to achieve." - Julie D, August 2008
"We have been working out together now for about nine months and I have learned so much from you regarding health and fitness. You have been a real inspiration to me and have guided me along my fitness journey. Thanks to you, I really enjoy exercise and feeling good about myself. See you soon." - Debbie, June 2008
"I have been seeing Tracy for almost a year. The hour passes very quickly as the sessions are always varied and fun. She is a great source of information and advice on both diet and exercise and most importantly I can fit into my jeans again... Many thanks!" - Ruth, June 2008
"I wanted a flat tummy... or at least get rid of the jelly belly. A challenge that you took and made happen... Thanks for all the creative, interesting and downright hard work ways you have found to flatten me down!" - Julie A, June 2008
"I used to be slob, vegging out and eating junk, whereas now I have a new life full easily accessible healthy alternatives. I no longer eat microwave meals at 11pm and look forward to my food which is mainly vegetable based. The exercise plan has pushed me in new directions, and I have discovered I enjoy running, which I had never really tried before. I have even taken part in a couple of races and found I was fitter than I thought!" - Andrew, March 2008
"I had two goals, to improve my fitness and fit into my old jeans. With Tracy's help I have run a 10km in 65 minutes and am wearing those jeans, thanks Tracy!" - Colette
"I would like to thank you for your hard work and your sound advice. I feel better now about myself than I have done for a long time and I feel I now have the confidence to do things on my own. Before I would never have had the confidence to go out and just pound the streets. Your dietary guidance has helped a lot too, so thank you once again." - Richard
"Tracy provides and all round, flexible programme of fitness. I feel stronger and more energetic..." - Margaret
"Thank you so much for last night. I really did enjoy the session and got such an awful lot out of it. Best of all - I slept like a baby last night!
I often tell people about you. I start off by saying that personal fitness instructors are like those make-up ladies in department stores - scary and a bit intimidating. However, every now and then you discover someone really special. Well, you are the really special personal fitness instructor!" - Suezi
"I am much stronger, despite having a lung disease. If I hadn't been seeing Tracy on a regular basis, my lung function would be deteriorating and I would have increased in weight. Tracy has given me the motivation and tools to overcome my resistance to exercise!" - Frances
"I really enjoyed Monday's work out and indeed all of our sessions, I have learnt so much." - Sue
"Definitely have improved fitness levels, actually enjoying the exercise and even going for runs on my own as well!" - Lucie
Testimonials
Pulse Magazine
August 2009 - 'Heart of the Matter', Tracy's first article for Scotsman Publications Pulse magazine (opens in a new window).
Click here to read testimonials from Tracy's boot camp
Harper's Bazaar Magazine
March 2008 - Tracy nominated as one of the "Six of the Best: Body Trainers" in the UK
Click here to read the article in a new window.
Finalist Young Business of the Year
Award 2007
Scotsman Newspaper
June / July 2006 - Tracy trained Scotsman newspaper magazine editor, Alison Gray resulting in a feature article in the Scotsman Magazine.
Click here to read the article in a new window.
September 2006 - Tracy interviewed for a feature article on Winter Fitness in the Scotsman Newspaper.
Click here to read the article in a new window.
The Fitness Diaries
Tracy trained the publisher of Bite magazine, with an ongoing journal 'The Fitness Diaries' published monthly in Bite from June 2005 onwards:
Reproduced with kind permission of Bite.
June 2005
"Would you like to get into shape for the summer but have no spare time?"
When I read the above advert, it sounded right up my street. So, over the next three months (and in the interests of journalism) I'm committing to following the 'Fitness With Tracy Griffen' programme. You, dear reader, get to read all about my success or failure.
What most attracted me to Tracy's programme is that it's tailored to the individual. We all know that you can lose weight by eating less and exercising more, yet many of us fail to reach our goal. This is partially because we have our individual weaknesses, chocolate and alcohol being just two I'll admit to.
My initial consultation involved me keeping a food diary and alcohol audit so that Tracy could assess my habits. My diary revealed some good things and some bad. Generally I make good food choices and enjoy exercise. However, I tend to eat late at night and my body has become used to the low impact exercise I do.
Together we set a simple goal: to get into my old jeans. Tracy suggested a 6 week time frame. She also recommended that I work on two specific things to start with. Firstly, eating more earlier in the day and less towards the evening, with no snacking after 9pm. Secondly, to shake up my exercise routine by running and swimming smaller distances and increasing the speed. These two simple changes should assist will burning fat and becoming leaner.
I left my first session feeling that the initial changes Tracy asked me to make were very achievable. I am writing this article mid May, so that gives me five weeks. We're meeting on a weekly basis over the coming weeks, so next month I'll update you and let you know whether I am into those jeans!
July 2005
As regular Bite readers will know I have committed to the Tracy Griffen fitness programme for 3 months. My goal is to get into my old jeans within the first 6 weeks so what have I achieved in four?
Tracy has tailored my programme to fit my lifestyle. In her initial consultation she looked at my habits via a food and alcohol audit and suggested that changing two would see fast results. Firstly I was to eat earlier in the day and banish my bad habit of late night snacking, specifically I was to not eat anything after 9pm. Secondly I was to do 3 sets of 20 mins of high intensity cardio 3 times a week.
I have changed my habit of late night snacking and have become a herbal tea jenny, sipping away on peppermint, nettle or fennel. This has made me feel far less sluggish at night and in the morning and has been a very good habit to break. I have also tried to do the 3 sets of cardio. It's not too much to ask is it? A weekly consultation with Tracy has kept me motivated as have some frantic texts (Q: I have severe munchies, what do I do? A: unsalted popcorn; Q: Do I have to run tonight? A: Think how good you'll feel in 20 mins))
The result: after 4 weeks my clothes are looser and my overall fitness level is a lot better as my metabolism is working faster. In fact both mentally and physically I feel stronger, more capable and far less stressed! People have commented that I look well and my boyfriend says my bum is definitely smaller!
The main benefit of the program is that it is specifically designed for me and I have constant access to professional advice. As for those jeans? Watch This Space!
August 2005
I have been following the Tracy Griffen fitness programme for precisely two months. This page has the title Mind, Body, Soul. Using these headings, I will tell you how the programme has affected me.
Mind - Two things have been key here. Firstly, motivation A weekly session with Tracy has kept me on track. It ensures that I am doing the exercises properly and thus getting the maximum benefit from them. Nothing beats one to one tuition and constant access (via phone, text, email) to expert advice.
Secondly I have changed my habits. I now eat the bulk of my food earlier in the day which means I am more likely to burn the calories. Alcohol has been a tough one but once I realised how many calories I have to burn after a drink before I start to burn fat, I got a wake up call.
It's a psychological thing! You can change if you want to!
Body - I am leaner, more toned and my fitness levels have improved dramatically. I can now exercise practically every day and I no longer feel achy or tired. I regularly run and swim as well as doing yoga once a week and trying to walk and cycle more. I also follow Tracy's strength and stretching programme which involves abdominal exercises, lunges, squats and weights. Basically I am doing more exercise than I would have thought possible two months ago.
Soul - I feel tons better. I realise that diet and exercise are long term, lifestyle changes. We really are what we eat, and if you fill your body full of nutrients not only do you perform better but you feel better all day everyday. Life becomes less stressed and more relaxed and you start to appreciate the important things more New age pyschobabble it may be, but it beats sugar cravings and hangovers!
Result? Yes, I can fit into my old jeans! More news next month…
September 2005
When I signed up for my fitness with Tracy Griffen programme 3 months ago I expected to lose weight, tone up and become fitter and I have indeed achieved all these things. However, I think it is also important to emphasise what I have gained over and above this and the lifestyle changes I have experienced.
When I started the programme I thought I ate quite well and was relatively fit, however, with hindsight I now realise that I was inconsistent with my eating and exercise. Exercise is now part of my life. I start to miss running if I haven't been out for two or three days, and once you regularly exercise you naturally think more about what you eat and drink. So, for example, I don't drink too much on a Friday because I now like running on a Saturday morning. I also eat lots of fruit and complex carbohydrates like porridge and muesli because I know they will give me energy for my lunch or teatime run. And you have to drink plenty of water.
As a result my PMT is significantly better, my hair, skin and nails are noticeably better and mentally I am more alert and less stressed. I also feel physically stronger and am able to fight off colds etc more easily. I don't get over tired when shopping or running around town and I generally have more energy and a more positive attitude towards life and all it has to offer.
And lastly my friends have started to follow suit. Two have started running, one has taken on her own west coast based fitness trainer and my sixty six year old mother phoned me this weekend to tell me she has joined the local gym!
All the above alongside a weekly consultation and updated exercise programme from Tracy has ensured that I keep motivated. If you would like to change your life for the better, contact Tracy.