Tracey Murphy is a personal trainer at Tadcaster Leisure Centre.
Tracey has worked with dozens of clients at Tadcaster Leisure Centre - from people intimidated by the gym environment looking for a workout buddy, to sportspeople seeking the edge over their competition.
The range of her experience means she can cater to the needs of anyone.
"During one of my long-term clients' pregnancy we worked on a gently pre-natal programme and within five weeks of birth, she insisted on being back in the gym again.
"Her doctor was astounded that her core muscles quickly became as strong as ever."
It's the power of motivation and persuasion that drives Tracey's clients to achieve whatever they want.
The secret of Tracey's success - and the benefits to her clients - is she loves the work. "When I go home at night I'll be working for hours
"The only problem is finding time for myself in the gym - but that's ok. You can make time if you want it hard enough."
Time management is an essential ingredient of Tracey's personal training programmes. "90% of the results you get are determined by what you eat and drink," said Tracey. "I'll give my clients all the help they need to buy the right food to hit their fitness goals.
"I have people who come in and grab sugary drinks on the fly. They say they don't have time to make smoothies and do the right thing, but I tell them if I can find the time, they can, too."
Many of Tracey's clients are members at Tadcaster Leisure Centre and regulars at her exercise classes.
One of her greatest pleasures is in seeing class participants practice the right technique which not only helps them get the right results, but avoids injury.
"We spend a lot of time one-to-one in my personal training sessions getting the technique spot on," said Tracey.
"You can't underestimate how important technique is when you're working out. I'm obsessed about getting it right for my clients!"
The fitness journey with your personal trainer begins with a 'test drive' - a consultation where you discuss your fitness goals and get to know your personal trainer.
Don't worry if you don't get it right first time: there are always more than one personal trainer at our leisure centres and you can meet them all before deciding the trainer who works best for you.
During that session you'll work together on a programme tailored to your needs. Then it's up to you whether you want to sign up for single personal training sessions, which cost £25 each, or buy bundles which start from just £16 a session.
Nutrition is a critical part of writing your success story, and all our personal trainers can point you in the right direction - though if you have any allergies or medical conditions talk to your doctor before following any nutrition suggestions.
"My clients enjoy huge change during their time with me. Personal training is whatever you want it to be but it's especially good for building confidence. Some of my clients were frightened by the idea of going to the gym on their own.
"They wanted someone who could be there for them on their fitness journey. It gives me no greater pleasure than to be that person and to provide the motivation for them to succeed.
"Even the process of doing personal training itself - building habits, and following through on your dreams - is an amazing achievement in itself.
Everyone can benefit from a personal trainer, said Tracey. "There's always something you can do - in any situation. I'm a fully qualified Pilates instructor and I work one-to-one with people who have back injuries, providing gentle coaching to help them back on their feet.
At the other end of the scale I teach Les Mills GRIT, small group personal training focused on high intensity workouts helping people get fitter, faster. All this experience means I can help out whatever the client wants to achieve."
One of her regular clients enjoys personal training three times a week. She's been a member of Tadcaster Leisure Centre for 15 years, and started working with Tracey after taking one of her classes.
"Now there's no looking back," said Tracey.
"She's hooked on the incredible feeling brought by working out properly and seeing results."
On a recent visit to my GP it was suggested I may like to lose a bit of weight, and maybe exercise a little more.
I think she was being kind. I’ve spent the last 25 years avoiding any kind of exercise - and I do mean any kind, not just formal exercise but also walking anywhere that was not absolutely necessary.
I’d gone from fit and healthy to the kind of person who takes the car to the postbox.
I’ve dieted before but every time I reached my target weight I stopped going to classes and the weight went back on and more besides. I was over twice the weight I was when I used to exercise and twice my healthy weight. I think there’s a point in your like when the children have left home or gone off to university that you start to think about yourself as a person and not just a mum. I’ve reached that point.
When I rang Tadcaster Leisure Centre to book in for an induction the lady on the other end of the telephone must have thought I was mad. I was so afraid that I cried through most of the booking in process. I asked her to put me with someone kind.
That’s when I met Tracey. During my induction she explained everything, understanding that that I had never been in a gym and that the machines were all alien to me. She understood that I had no confidence.
By the end of my induction I felt that at last someone got me, and was on my side.
Tracey didn’t see a fat woman in her fifties. She saw my potential, and during my next couple of visits to the centre she checked in on me to make sure I was still fine with using all the equipment.
That’s when I asked her about personal training.
What I loved about Tracey was she took an approach of helpfulness rather than hard sell. Tracey genuinely wants to help people, to see them improve.
Tracey makes training sessions fun, and motivates me to succeed. She has converted me from someone who did anything to avoid exercise, to someone who does six sessions a week in the gym.
Tracey challenges me, and more importantly has given me the confidence to challenge myself.
Its hard work at times – for proof, ask anyone who attends any of her exercise classes.
Tracey knows what you’re capable of and she puts you through your paces. But the best things in life are worth working hard for. The rewards are there – you just need to put in the effort to get them.
I’ve tried various personal trainers over the past 10 years and they’ve all been great - but only in their specialist areas. But after just eight months’ training with Tracey I’ve realised how important it is for your trainer to offer a wide variety of training techniques.
During our sessions together we incorporate cardio work, pilates, high intensity interval training (HIIT) and endurance routines to make sure no one workout is the same.
By challenging me and my body Tracey has made an immense difference to my shape, and how I feel about going to the gym.
Training with Tracey is hard work but great fun and no two sessions are the same which not only keeps it interesting but also keeps me on my toes.
The learning journey never ends. I enjoy challenging myself to reach higher levels and learn new ways for everyone to get fitter.
I really enjoy the soundtrack to Les Mills GRIT Strength.
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Sometimes you need a little extra help to hit your fitness goals.
You're running a marathon and need to plan, and stick to, your schedule to achieve a personal best.
Maybe you're looking for a training partner, or an accountability buddy to make sure you stay on track.
Or maybe you simply want someone there to tell you what to do and when to train.
That's where we come in.
A personal trainer is your concierge to a better body, a better race, a better game - and a better life.
Personal training with Inspiring healthy lifestyles is your gateway to a new world of fitness.
Personal training is for anyone and everyone, for people of all ages, body types and levels of fitness.
We can all benefit from personal training. Whether you are an exercise beginner or elite athlete, our qualified personal trainers can help you achieve maximum fitness results, optimising your exercise for your individual body and fitness goals.
Here's why personal training is so much fun - and will make you feel fantastic:
Personal training: what it costs | |||
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Buy | 1 session | 5 sessions | 10 sessions |
You get | 1 session | 6 sessions | 12 sessions |
That's | 1 session | 1 session FREE! | 2 sessions FREE! |
Price | £25 | £125 | £250 |
Location | Postcode | Phone number | |||
Selby Leisure Centre | Scott Road | YO8 4BL | 01757 213758 | ![]() |
Join |
Tadcaster Leisure Centre | Station Road | LS24 9JE | 01937 834375 | ![]() |
Join |