Abi Hardy - Personal Training

04/09/2023

Baby Summer is here! Born 30/08/23 🤩

Mum, Dad & Summer all doing well. Hearts filled with love 🥰

I’ll bring her in for show and tell soon! 😍

Now where’s the instruction manual?! 🤔

26/04/2023

From my studio Vi in Eton, Windsor I present to you… 5 Top Tips for those New to Strength Training!

If you're in the Eton / Windsor area and would like to find out more about my small group personal training studio you can visit...
www.vitraininggym.co.uk
Or call / message / what's app on 07457 402963
Or send me a message on here!

28/10/2022

So a little update as I’ve been busy working on a new venture over on Eton High Street in Windsor with my client (and now business partner Sam).

It’s going to be a small group personal training studio suitable for all levels of experience and we will also be making (skills newly acquired!) and selling some delicious kwoffee!

Follow us and our journey at where you can also register interest for more info on when we open and how to join.

www.vitraininggym.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj-yWMbKMBr/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Vi. [vee] A training gym + coffee bar shared a post on Instagram: "And we’re in! Co-Founder, , gives a tour around the new space. Just use a bit of ✨imagination✨ to visualise how fabulous this training gym is going look.". Follow their account to see 10 posts.

24/05/2022

⭐️ Strength Training for Strong Bones ⭐️

As we age we lose the ability to build bone, therefore our bone mass will naturally decrease unless we do something to maintain / preserve or increase our bone mass.

Strength training offers a solution by strengthening your bones which reduces the risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures (which can often occur because of the latter).

Bone is living tissue. If you put pressure on it and make it work, it has the ability to adapt and become stronger. When we strength train our muscles apply tension to our bones making them adapt to this force by becoming stronger and increasing in density.

Lifting heavy weights (as per the photo) is one way to strength train but even using lighter weights, resistance bands, body weight movements, suspension training, or cable machines etc all do the same job of challenging your muscles and therefore stimulating your bones to become stronger.

Let me know your thoughts! If you want to learn how to strength train you can try my classes in Wandsworth, London or have 1-2-1 personal training sessions with me either in person or via zoom.

Get in touch for further information.

06/04/2022

Since the start of the year I’ve had the pleasure of training my mum after she received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Already out growing her weights, she’s recently invested in some new gym equipment 🤩! I’m very proud of how she’s tackling the disease and I wanted to share her story so far in the hope of inspiring others…

“Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s I’ve been learning to lift weights with the help of my daughter Abi, who is the founder of ! Many studies have shown that exercise is vital in delaying the symptoms of this disease - it helps to improve your balance and strength, which are both important for carrying out everyday activities.

Since I live in New Zealand, we train using Zoom. Abi coaches me through the workout, ensuring I do everything correctly and with the right amount of weight. The programme is then sent through to me, with additional videos (where needed) and I repeat the programme at home until it’s time for an update. Progressive overload is key in strength training!

Even though it can feel like a mission to get started in the morning, when I’m feeling particularly stiff and uncomfortable, I know I’ll feel so much better when I’ve finished!

Although not a cure for Parkinson’s, intelligent exercise can significantly change the quality of your life. Since beginning strength training and doing the HIIT sessions, that Abi also provides, I feel fitter, stronger and more empowered to tackle anything that lies ahead…”

You go mum 👊🔥

23/01/2022

🔥5 Really Unhelpful Motivational Quotes!🔥

Everyone loves a motivational quote! Be careful which ones you take note of as a lot of them can be harsh and unrealistic.

1. ❌ No Pain, No Gain, Shut Up and Train - this is not the way to talk to yourself! Also you should never train through pain. If your body is sending you pain signals it’s for a reason.

2. ❌ No Days Off - days off are just as important as training days. The body needs to rest and recover it’s vital when trying to get stronger and preventing injury.

3. ❌ No Excuses - sometimes you do have an excuse. Maybe you’ve had a rough nights sleep, you’re not feeling well or you just want a day off training. Don’t beat yourself up. Have a day off and come back stronger!

4. ❌ Your Body is a Reflection of Your Lifestyle - this sounds like everyone wants to be a competitive fitness model / body builder. You can train hard and also have a sociable lifestyle, sure you might not have popping abs but maybe you’re more focussed on a lifestyle that isn’t just about fitness and how you look in the mirror.

5. ❌ Excuses Don’t Burn Calories - if you work out just to burn calories then your motivation won’t last long. Focus on other reasons to workout - to get stronger, fitter, healthier, faster, improve mental health.

Remember Instagram can be great for motivation but be careful what you consume on here! 👀

🧐 Which motivational quotes have you seen that work for you? 🧐

07/01/2022

💪WHO SHOULD LIFT WEIGHTS?💪

Ever wondered if weight training is for you? 🤔

Lifting weights is suitable for those who…

🔥 Want to feel strong! Not only in the gym but mentally strong too! (Feeling strong is great and it’s also quite handy whilst getting through every day life!)

🔥Want to change their body composition. Lifting weights can help build muscle (tone up) whilst reducing body fat.

🔥Want to help protect against muscle loss as they age. It happens to us all! As they say… use it or lose it! Let’s keep strong and mobile! 💪

🔥Want to do a form of exercise which they can see visible progress doing - not only will you see your body shape change you’ll be able to track how much stronger you’re getting.

🔥Want to feel like a confident bad-ass in the gym. There’s a great feeling about busting out some chin ups (like Liz in the photo) and not caring about what other people think.

Why do you weight train…?

Let me know if any questions…

06/01/2022

🍑GLUTE BAND WORKOUT🍑

Here’s a glute band workout for you to try! The rep ranges are given as a guide, take note how you feel and make sure you can feel your glutes working on every rep.

This workout can be done as a short stand alone workout or at the end of a workout to target your glutes. You could even do one round before going for a run to make sure your glutes are firing! 🏃🏼‍♀️

Don’t have a glute band? (Or just want a better one?! 😂🤣) Go to Girls Who Lift’s webshop link in bio. 2 sizes available.

Workout:

🔥 10-15 x Banded single leg glute bridge

🔥 15-20 x Side lying leg raises (each side)

🔥 20-30 x Banded feet elevated glute bridges with 3 sec hold on each rep

🔥 Pulse outs seated -
20 x upright
20 x lean forward
20 x lean back

🔥 20 x Monster walks (forward then reverse)

👉 Try 3-4 rounds

04/01/2022

🔥Workout Motivation🔥

New year and new goals… but how do you get started? Here’s 10 ways to persuade yourself to get to the gym (or start a workout at home / outside etc)…

💥Tell yourself you’ll just do 20-30 mins. Once you’ve started your energy might change and you might be inspired to train for longer.

💥Just do 20-30 mins. 30 mins 4 times per week = 2hrs/wk = 8hrs/mth compared to if you didn’t go at all. Definitely better than nothing.

💥Think of something fun you want to do and start with that. If you like deadlifts for example start with that first, then you may be more motivated to continue and do more!

💥Think of how you’ll feel after. People normally feel great after a workout so focus your energy on the feeling of satisfaction and release of endorphins.

💥Think of all the times you have been annoyed that you can’t train eg. due to injury or time or illness. So if you really don’t have a good reason to get there seize the day and appreciate the fact that you can!

💥Drag a friend with you for motivation. Working out with a partner can make it more fun and if you’ve arranged beforehand it can help motivate you to make it in there!

💥Just decide you’ll go and do some stretching / mobility / foam rolling. If that’s all you do then it’s still had a good effect on your body. If once there and moving you might be inspired to workout...

💥Book a class - then at least once you’re there you have to think no more. (Eg. 💪)!

💥Think of some tunes you haven’t listened to in a while and crank them up. Motivational music whilst working out can do wonders to your mood.

💥Think of all the indulgence that may have happened over the festive period - life’s about balance! 🤣

Let me know if any of these work for you...!



📸

02/01/2022

💪🏽🤔Why Weight? 🤔💪🏿

Excuse the pun 🤣 couldn’t help myself! What’s stopping you from starting to get stronger? Getting stronger can not only make your confidence soar, make everyday life activities easier, keep your body healthy (eg maintain or improve bone density) it can also make you look and feel great!

Improving your strength using a combination of body weight and external loads (such as barbells and dumbbells) can give you something positive to focus on rather than just a number on the scales.

Getting stronger enables you to look after your body whilst working on your aesthetic goals at the same time. What’s not to like?! 🤔

So what’s stopping you? Let me know in the comments below…

👉 If you need help I train clients at Local Motion Movement in Wandsworth, SW London where there’s lots of heavy things to lift and lots of places to hang to practice your pull ups! I train both men and women and also offer a small group weight training class (women only sorry guys) called Girls Who Lift

Any questions just send me a message!

16/12/2021

The 12 Exercises of Christmas - Glute Band Special!

Give it a go - let me know if any questions…