TGt Meets... Paul Webb, David Lloyd

In this TGt Meets interview we spoke to Paul Webb, Fitness Instructor at David Lloyd Swindon, all about his career and how to stay fit and healthy!

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

If I said I’d always had a passion for fitness it would be downright hilarious to anyone who knows me. One look at a photo of me aged eleven and you’d know I was definitely passionate about dessert! (For the record I still am and maybe more so, only now the fitness career means my body can cash those sweet cheques!) Out of necessity I became a lifeguard at the Oasis when I moved from London back to Wiltshire, which was a very physical job which whipped me into shape a bit. Being in that environment exposed me to the gym and fitness classes. I was particularly taken with spin and decided a few years back to get qualified to teach RPM, however a friend of a friend insisted I meet him for coffee one night as he had a “better plan” for me. He suggested I train to teach STRONG By Zumba, a non-dance HIIT workout. I watched a few videos and couldn’t wait to try it. A couple of weeks later I did my Level 2 Gym Instructor course with T2 Fitness and a couple of weeks after that did my Zumba and STRONG By Zumba training. After a few months teaching STRONG with great and growing success, I decided to get my personal trainer qualification and began training clients at a private residential estate called The Lakes By Yoo where I had been teaching STRONG. So it happened fairly quickly for me. Right place at the right time.

How do you stay fit and healthy?

Teaching STRONG up to 4/5 times a week will give you a really solid base for cardio and strength fitness!  As a result I do a ridiculous amount of bodyweight squats a week. I try to get in a swim per week and at least one weights session in the gym. (STRONG means I never ever have to worry about leg day again - a nice little hack lads) Being a musician and a fitness instructor/PT my weekly schedule can get a bit bizarre so I have to feel my way through each week workout wise and just listen to my body. Some days it wants burpees, others it wants an almond croissant bigger than my head. I always step up. 

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

I’ve often shouted “we beast so we can feast” in classes but I’m half joking with that. I’m quite fond of “regret something you did, not something you didn’t do” - that works for a lot of things in life. So go extra hard in your workout and push your limits, but on balance, make that glass of wine with your friend on her birthday a large one, don’t refuse dessert if you want it when you’re in a restaurant celebrating a special occasion. Those are the moments you’ll look back on fondly when you’re 90 and reminiscing on the porch swing, you’d have to be a special kind of self-involved to look back and say “remember when I had abs?” 

What’s your favourite sport or exercise?

I love tennis. I wish I was better than I am, but I’m 5’9. Thats my excuse and I’ll stick with it thanks. Favourite player is Stanislas Wawrinka. He’s a total beast of an athlete! Exercise wise, I love anything so long as there’s a banging soundtrack, STRONG fits that bill and I NEED to get to a Blaze class when I’m not teaching it myself, the Blaze playlists are insane. I just need to pick which of the other awesome instructors is going to no doubt rinse me.

Blaze has just launched at David Lloyd and has created a massive buzz; can you tell us a bit more about it?

Blaze is a boutique HIIT workout to improve your overall fitness using strength, cardio and combat. Think of it as a reverse torture chamber; you come out in better condition than when you went in and are no longer afraid of it. You’ll hit interval sprints or climbs on the treadmills, then pump some weights before releasing your inner-badass in the combat zone with some mixed martial arts. All the while some absolute tunes blare out over the speakers. You’ll burn anywhere from 500-1000 calories (provided you give it everything) and all in a neat 45 minute sesh. With workouts as effective as this available, why would you do anything else? 

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

Putting too much pressure on themselves to achieve too much and too quickly. Its a marathon not a sprint and diet is not a verb! Exercise isn’t a punishment for something you ate, it should be a fun exploration of what your body is capable of. I loathe those instagram trainers who post that they just annihilated themselves on the treadmill in dynamic mode for 25 minutes because they had a doughnut. So what? Im sure you and your 8-pack will survive one doughnut a week. If you find a workout you enjoy and you will look forward to it each time you go and it won’t feel like another errand on the list. Do it for you and only you. I once had a client tell me her husband “didn’t like these” and gestured to her so-called bingo-wings. I told her she needed a divorce lawyer not a personal trainer. 

Are there any exercises you advise against?

Long distance running. Yawn. I don’t know anyone who goes running who doesn’t end up with horrendous knee problems. There are serious heart issues later in life which are associated with excessive long distance running. 

What music do you listen to when you work out?

I think the best gay bars and the best workouts have the same playlists. High energy, 120bpm usually works well to distract from all the sweating and shouting and crying.. the same goes for the workout. 

What foods are always in your fridge?

Greek yoghurt & eggs always feature.. my fridge is pretty healthy. Don’t look in my pantry.

What's the most rewarding part of your job? 

Meeting new people and getting to know them. It’s interesting hearing people’s stories and making new connections. I’ve made so many friends for life through this career.

Paul intructs the new Blaze training sessions at David Lloyd Swindon. Find out more here!