Nick Lower Personal Trainer

Nick is a personal trainer who emphasises the importance of remembering why you are training. He talks to Sundried about his fitness motivation and the crazy workouts he does with actor Simon Pegg.

Please tell us about sporting events you have taken part in or have coming up.

I have completed 2 half marathons, Rat Race Dirty Weekend, and I go snowboarding once a year.  By far the most challenging event I've done was in September 2015, 'Man V Mountain' a 20-mile race up Mount Snowdon. I fractured my ankle about 7 miles in but still managed to finish!

Tell us about your journey to fitness? Where did it all start?

I have always been active and sporty and played football for quite a few years when I was younger. I got into fitness and nutrition seriously relatively late. I was 29 when I decided to change my career and become a PT.  I knew there was more to life than sitting behind a desk but above all, I really wanted to help people and make a difference.

What are your training goals now?

Right now, I am trying to get in my best ever shape both physically and mentally. The recent birth of my daughter has given me even more focus and drive.

Tell us one unusual fact we wouldn’t know about you:

My ancestor 'Richard Lower' (a physician) was the first person to successfully perform a blood transfusion in 1666.

What would future you tell yourself when you were starting out?

Seek a good mentor, someone you respect and trust.

Concentrate on getting client results and always keep learning, then success will follow.

Do you follow a specific nutrition plan? If so, what/when do you eat?

I don't follow a specific plan as I believe there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach. My training will dictate my nutrition but generally with each meal I eat protein, veggies/fruits, healthy fat and I am smart with my carb choices (when and how much).  I use supplements where necessary but try to get most of my nutrition through whole foods. I have recently started looking at genetics and how that affects my diet which is very interesting.  However, if you do the basics and do them consistently it will get you a long way. Then if your goals are more strict or you are training for an event, you have the basic skills to 'dial-in' when needed.

What do you do to keep your clients motivated? Do you have any top tips to keep motivated?

Often a client may feel demotivated or they feel they have lost their way a little.  When this happens I get them to revisit their 'why'. Why are they training? Why are they eating better? Their goals can get lost sometimes, so revisit your 'why' because, without it, motivation can be drained.

Also look for other markers of progress apart from the scales! 

Talk us through your training regime.

At the moment my week looks like this...

• Mon -  strength (chest/triceps)
• Tue  - endurance strength circuit (including core)
• Wed - strength (back/biceps)
• Thu - 10k trail run
• Fri - strength (shoulder/legs/lifts)
• Sat - mixed circuit / TRX (or rest)
• Sun - REST!

How do you keep your fitness knowledge up to date?

I read A LOT! I subscribe to a few newsletters and blogs but each year I try and do one major training course. The past two years I have been training with 'Precision Nutrition' and last year became a 'PN Level 2 master coach'.  This year I am studying for the 'CHEK Golf Conditioning' certification.

What are your top 3 trainer tips?

• Whatever your goals are, make nutrition your cornerstone for success.
• Don't look for a quick-fix! Nothing worthwhile in life is achieved in an instant. Invest time in your health and fitness and make it a lifestyle choice.
• ENJOY YOURSELF!!! We can get a bit too serious in this game so experiment, try new things, new exercises, new foods. This variation will help to keep you motivated.

If you could only do one workout for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It would be 'Torture Tuesday'. I know, sounds harsh, but it's fun.  Every Tuesday with my client (and good friend) Simon Pegg we do a crazy circuit which involves a series of 5x 5-minute circuits with one of us going as far as we can on the cross trainer/bike whilst the other does 4 exercises as many times as possible. It's mental but great fun.

What are your training goals?

I could give you a body fat percentage here or a p.b. for a dead lift. But my real goal or 'why' is to be the best possible version of myself both physically and mentally so I can be the best husband and father to my wife and daughter.

Why work with Sundried?

I like their ethos and story plus the fact that their range is as ethical as possible.  The association with the 'Water For Kids Project' is a great idea.  They also offer something different to the big brands out there.