OUR TEAM

Meet the team behind Peak Fitness & Lifestyle

Our team of trainers and fitness coaches are here to support and guide you on your way to achieving a healthy lifestyle....whether that's by creating exercise routines, correcting form, nutritional advice, motivation or just a good chat to keep you company while you train! No matter what you need, rest assured we will be able to help you reach your long term goals.

ED SHAW

OWNER & PERSONAL TRAINER

Ed has been in the fitness and health world since he was a boy. With a passion for sport and having played at a high level in cricket, hockey and racquets, the natural progression for Ed was to help other people to achieve their goals. 

Traditional personal training sessions naturally swayed into a keen interest in remedial exercise, where Ed now specialises in movement based rehabilitation. Adapting his training methods has awarded Ed a client base of people affected by chronic injuries and illnesses such as Parkinson's, MS and cerebral palsy.

"Exercise has many preconceptions, however if you find the right angle then it CAN be for everyone - whether you are training for a marathon or whether you are trying to improve your movement, balance and coordination following a stroke, a good trainer can find a way to adapt and motivate."

Ed's emphasis with personal training is to find a way for the client to feel comfortable, a program that feels achievable and for it to be enjoyable. 

DAVID GAINFORD

OWNER & PERSONAL TRAINER

Growing up as a talented footballer David began his studies for an Extended Diploma in Football (Performance and Excellence) at local Hartpury College but suffered an unfortunate injury, resulting in an inability to finish the course. Turning to fitness training to aid his recovery sparked a new passion for David, who subsequently qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer and alongside Ed opened Peak Fitness & Lifestyle in February 2020. 

Specialising in strength & conditioning, weight and circuit training, David is renowned for building excellent relationships with his wide range of clients, supporting and guiding them through every step of their fitness journey. 

"Getting to know you is just as important to me as getting to know what your short or long term goal is. Knowing how you operate means I can play to your strengths but also challenge you to confront and overcome your perceived weaknesses."

Ensuring every session is uniquely tailored to suit your needs, David will strive to help you improve not only your physical performance but your confidence, well-being  and overall general lifestyle.

IZZY LANE

PERSONAL TRAINER

Izzy is a Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer, Exercise Referral and Rehabilitation Specialist with more than 8 years experience. After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 19, Izzy began exercising to support her health, and this is what drives her passion to work with people to improve their health and fitness.


Izzy is a firm believer in stepping out of your comfort zone, and in recent years has taken on a number of personal challenges (including swimming the English Channel as part of a relay team).  She is a keen triathlete, and has a number of clients who she has helped to achieve running and triathlon personal bests - from beginners to GB athletes.


Benefitting from qualifications that include adapting exercise for adolescence, pre/post natal and cancer rehabilitation Izzy works with a wide range of clients (including those looking for weight loss, to build strength or for guidance on weight training) and sessions with her are fun, varied and designed to keep exercise interesting and effective.

MATT WATKINS JONES

PERSONAL TRAINER

Matt is a Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer, certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He has over 10 years of experience in Strength & Conditioning spanning across the world from the UK to New Zealand.


Renowned for taking athletes to the next level, Matt has helped young athletes achieve scholarships at prestige schools through performance improvements in the weights room. He uses both movement and needs analysis to create bespoke programmes to increase performance and reduce the risk of injuries.


As Matt explains - "The role of the Strength & Conditioning coach is to bridge the gap between the theory of training and applied training, helping athletes to become faster, stronger and more flexible and to build their muscular endurance so they perform better and remain injury free"



BEN HOWARD BSc, MSc.

PERSONAL TRAINER & PHYSIOLOGIST

Ben joined the team in August 2023 after managing and training at a Fitness and Lifestyle gym in Oxford for three years. He has obtained a BSc in Sport & Exercise Science and an MSc in Exercise Physiology from Loughborough University. He has always been passionate about helping others become the fittest and healthiest versions of themselves.

As a registered member of The Academy for Healthcare Science as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Ben can work with all individuals of all ages and abilities. He now specialises in working with individuals with clinical needs, such as cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, or metabolic diseases. This includes, but is not limited to: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis.

Ben has previously also coached talented young athletes, including International standard footballers in the Oxford United F.C Women Academy. 

GEORGIA CASS

PERSONAL TRAINER

Georgia is a qualified level 3 Personal Trainer and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Coach. She has over 5 years experience training clients with all backgrounds and abilities and works using a combination of traditional strength techniques as well as aspects of yoga and pilates to build truly effective whole-body programs. 

She is passionate about helping her clients to build their confidence, both in and out of the gym. The proven link between mental health and strength training is also key to Georgia's approach, as she works to help improve physical fitness and mental resilience together.

“I used to be a very nervous gym goer - they can be really intimidating places filled with big egos. I’m lucky enough now to be working from a really welcoming and open gym and am able to help clients who really want to start their fitness journey but can’t quite take that first step. “

KATE HOVEY

PERSONAL TRAINER

Kate is a Personal Trainer specialising in supporting pre and postnatal clients and mid-life women with exercise and nutrition. She feels passionate about teaching women that through regular movement they will better equip themselves to navigate through key life stages such as pregnancy, birth, motherhood and/or menopause

Kate has always used exercise and sport to support her own mental and physical health and feels passionate about helping women gain the confidence to move their bodies and exercise. 

With a young family of her own, Kate understands the challenges and time constraints of everyday life. She is focussed on encouraging her clients to eat well and exercise efficiently to help improve their energy levels, grow mentally and physically stronger so they look, feel and perform at their best. 
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