TGt Meets... Nick Ockwell, Personal Trainer at Oasis Leisure Centre

We caught up with Nick Ockwell, one of the team of amazing Personal Trainers at Better Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre. We spoke about what the most rewarding part being a PT is, tips for success and why the Oasis is such a great place to train.

How did you turn your passion for fitness into a career?

I started out playing sport five or six times per week as a young boy. Exercise and sport has always been a priority for me and when it came to decide a career path I felt there were only a few ways I could go. Personal Training popped up time and time again for me but the nerves of going freelance and jumping straight in to it always worried me. I sculpted a plan where I could gain knowledge and experience without the worry of how I would afford to pay my rent. I started working in a leisure centre before coming a fitness instructor, then after a few months decided I needed to take the leap. I started as a freelance PT two and a half years ago and haven’t look back. It’s a passion that’s now my career.

 

How do you stay fit and healthy?

Living in a gym 12- 16 hours per day five to six days per week I have recently found my motivation to take a bit of a hit. Yes, it happens to us all! I love weights but found the body building routines were getting boring, so now I mix up every gym session and have started to adopt some crossfit tendencies to my own training. I am now more motivated and back to loving training again. I train less now due to my schedule but it works. My training now rages from Olympic lifting to body weight exercises, to running, rowing, and cycling. I now throw my hand at anything.

 

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

“I didn't get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.”

 

What’s your favourite sport or exercise?

To this day basketball is my favourite sport but it isn’t something I play much anymore.

 

What are your top tips for people looking to get into shape?

Be patient and consistent! The biggest failings are people who expect to see big changes with little effort or in a short space of time. Find your ‘why’, this is what will drive you to get your results. Also do things you enjoy, without the enjoyment you wont have the sustainability or the consistency and will likely struggle to get to where you want to be. If ever you are stuck as a PT or coach or even a friend for help it will help you endless amounts.

 

What are some mistakes people make when training or working towards a specific fitness goal?

Expecting too much too soon is one for sure. Changes in your body take time and sometimes life gets in the way. If you are looking for performance goals these can take just as long. Set mini goals that will lead you to the end goal and once you achieve it restart the same process and over-achieve.

 

What makes Better Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre the best place to go for the gym and personal training?

The Oasis is great as it is such a welcoming and friendly gym. I always hear people say “I was at this gym and I felt judged..” or “I always compared my self to the people who posed all the time in the mirror.” You don’t get that here. You don’t have to queue for machines or equipment and the atmosphere is always nice with helpful staff.

 

The gym is a really good size, do you believe it is value for money for potential customers?

The gym is great value for money there is everything you need in the gym.

 

What music do you listen to when you work out?

My music choices change depending on the exercise I’m doing. Lower intensities are more chilled out or slower and higher intensities are fast loud and high tempo.

 

What foods are always in your fridge?

Chicken. I am addicted to all types of chicken.

 

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing the changes in both body and mind by all my clients. Confidence soars when you are achieving your goals. I often think that the changes in mindset are far more rewarding than the physical changes we make. Despite the fact most people come to me for visual changes, they don’t realise how much their mind can grow too. But losing a few stone or getting someone abs for the first time in their life is amazing too.