It Didn’t Happen in a Bedford Gym… But This Is Why So Many People Hate PT (And How Strength Made Simple Does It Differently)
Strength Made Simple Blog – Bedford Strength & Conditioning
A family member told me a story this week that perfectly captures why so many people feel nervous about starting personal training — and why choosing the right coach matters more than you think.
And don’t worry — this did NOT happen in a Bedford gym.
But it did happen, and it’s worth talking about.
💬 “He didn’t ask me anything about myself…”
Here’s the situation:
A friend booked a PT session.
She was excited, motivated, ready to make a change.
But as soon as the session started, the trainer launched straight into a scientific monologue — biomechanics, hormones, energy systems, and whatever else he could throw in to prove he’d passed his qualification last Tuesday.
He talked at her, not to her.
He didn’t ask about her goals, injuries, lifestyle, confidence, preferences, or past training experience.
It was less “personal training” and more “lecture you didn’t ask to attend.”
And it gets worse…
❌ “If you can’t train three times a week, don’t bother.”
He then told her:
“There’s no point in training if you can’t commit to three sessions a week.”
Imagine how demotivating that is.
A coach’s job is to meet the client where they are, not tell them their effort is pointless unless they fit a perfect template.
And then — just to complete the set — he added:
“Cardio is pointless anyway.”
Which, of course… is nonsense.
No wonder she walked away thinking:
“This just isn’t for me.”
But the truth is:
It wasn’t her. It was the coaching.
⭐ How Strength Made Simple Does Things Differently
At Strength Made Simple, our approach is the opposite of that experience.
Here’s exactly how we operate:
✅ 1. We Start With You, Not a Lecture
Your goals.
Your lifestyle.
Your confidence level.
Your schedule.
Your past experiences.
Your aches, pains, and worries.
Before we ever talk about sets and reps, we make sure we understand the PERSON standing in front of us.
Because coaching isn’t about showing off knowledge —
it’s about applying the right knowledge to the right person at the right time.
✅ 2. We Build the Plan Around Your Life
Can you train once a week? Great — we’ll help you make that effective.
Can you train twice a week? Brilliant — you’ll make fantastic progress.
Want three or more? Amazing — we’ll structure it so you don’t burn out.
The idea that you “must” train a specific number of times per week is outdated and demoralising.
Progress is progress — and consistency beats perfection every time.
✅ 3. Cardio Has Its Place
Strength training is powerful, but let’s not pretend cardio doesn’t help:
Better heart health
Improved recovery
Stress reduction
Increased calorie burn
Better stamina for everyday life
We don’t do extremes or absolutes.
We build balanced programmes that actually work in the real world.
✅ 4. We Make Fitness Part of Your Lifestyle — Not Your Entire Life
Most people aren’t trying to become athletes.
They’re trying to be:
Healthier
Leaner
Happier
More confident
More capable in everyday life
At Strength Made Simple, our goal is to help you get there without turning your life upside down.
We give you clarity.
We remove the confusion.
We build habits that stick.
And we support you the whole way.
💬 The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever had a bad experience with a PT —
someone who didn’t listen, didn’t care, or didn’t meet you where you were —
please know that it doesn’t have to be like that.
Training should feel empowering, not overwhelming.
Supportive, not intimidating.
Simple, not confusing.
That’s exactly what we do at Strength Made Simple.
🚀 Ready to Experience Coaching That Actually Works?
If you want training that fits YOUR life — and helps you build strength, confidence, and consistency — we’d love to help.
👉 Book a free consultation at Strength Made Simple
Let’s build a plan that works for you, no pressure, no ego, no lectures.