Testimonials

I have a passion for running and wanted to increase my strength with a view to improving my running form, race day performances and hopefully prevent injury. I’m not a fan of going to the gym and also not really motivated for 1:1 personal training.

The answer has been ROARstrength classes at Lion Fitness. I noticed positive changes to my running form before the end of the 8 week course and was so encouraged I duly signed up for the next one.

Class numbers are kept low, thus Mark is able to keep a keen eye on everyones technique and you are able to have a bit of craic with the other members in the class whilst training. It’s hard work but good fun at the same time and I genuinely look forward to going each week. Mark is both knowledgeable and personable, a great combination and I highly recommend.

Having never played sports and taken very little exercise, at 42 I was skeptical of joining a fitness class.  I initially signed-up to eight Strength and Conditioning sessions in order to help prepare for a cycling challenge.  Although hard at first, very quickly I started to see improvements in both my physical and mental well-being, without which I would not have been able to complete the 200 mile cycle ride through Holland and Belgium. Since then I have continued with the Conditioning classes and work with a personal trainer two or three times each week.  The progress I’m making continually surprises me.

The trainers at Lion Fitness provide a fun, friendly, relaxed environment; focusing on individual needs and adapting exercises to ensure that you always leave with a sense of achievement rather than frustration.  What I once saw as a ‘necessary evil’ (exercise!), I now look forward to and enjoy.  Based on my personal experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend Mark and his team at Lion Fitness for anyone wanting to maintain or improve their health and well-being.

I joined the lion fitness strength and conditioning course in preparation for a long distance charity bike ride.  Having previously tackled similar distance bike rides, fitness wasn’t my main concern. The appeal of the class was working on how to prevent injury and increase body conditioning to prepare for such events.

As a result of these sessions I have steadily increased my speed over a number of 10k races finishing the York 10k with a new PB. The strength building element of the class also enabled me to complete the Great Scottish swim with another PB, despite not having put in many training swims before the event. The increase in upper body strength was without doubt a contributory factor.

The motivation and support provided by the instructors at lion fitness ensure that the mental benefits are equal to the physical ones.

I started training with Mark over two years ago after seeing an advert for metafit. I was extremely unfit and that first class proved it twice over! Mark and the other trainers make the classes varied and each have their own style which makes each session fun. It doesn’t matter how you wake up feeling, a session at Lion Fitness really focuses the mind and makes you feel great.

In the last two years I’ve done things that I wouldn’t have done without this new level of fitness including white water rafting, climbing to the top of the O2 arena and getting to over level 7 in a bleep test! I wouldn’t have had the confidence to even try these things as I would have been worried that I wouldn’t have been fit enough to complete them.

I’d highly recommend giving the classes at Lion Fitness a go. You’ll make new friends and find how exercise can just become a fun way of life instead of a big deal!

As somebody who’s always been into sport, mainly running and swimming, my first experience of Lion Fitness was through the ROARstrength course. I’m so pleased to have found a gym providing focused, small group training like this. I’ve done the course throughout most of this year and have found such an improvement in my strength and balance which has been a great benefit to my sports. Mark is always approachable, friendly and professional and offers advice and guidance that I have complete confidence in. I’m always encouraged to push myself that bit harder and the guidance on technique means I always feel safe. I’ve enjoyed meeting like minded people at Lion Fitness and love the friendly atmosphere.

I started training with Sarah at Lion Fitness in May 2017. My goal was to improve my running, but not just by doing more miles on the road. Sarah has really tailored my workouts and not one session has been the same.  She’s keeps my workouts interesting and I’m always amazed how creative the trainers can be! The studio is such a great space and having the privacy is so nice compared to the big gyms you can go into and feel intimidated…there’s none of that at Lion Fitness!

I can tell the difference with my running, having achieved some of my personal bests of late! I always know I’ll feel better after I’ve been to train and would wholly recommend people giving it a try.

I have attended the ROARstrength classes at Lion Fitness since April and have found them an invaluable part of my training schedule.

Mark keeps the classes to a maximum of 8 members so you are well looked after. The small class sizes ensure that Mark is on hand to make sure you are performing each exercise correctly.  The sessions are well planned and varied, and done in such a way, that each student can progress over the 8 week block at their own rate.

Over the last 8 months I have grown stronger, toned up and lost inches and more importantly for me, stayed injury free. I attribute my marathon PB, in part to the training at the ROARStrength classes. I feel it helped me to get through my training plan injury free, which in turn meant a 10 min pb!

I would recommend to any swimmer, runner, cyclist or triathlete.. Strength training is usually the part we overlook. Mark’s knowledge and encouragement will only improve and enhance your training.  My strength training is now one part of my schedule that I never miss.

Such a fantastic place to work out! Never been one to get motivated in the gym so finding Lion Fitness was perfect, the bootcamps have got me interested in fitness and have made me feel better in myself and I actually enjoy working out. The trainers are so helpful and knowledgeable and the other Lion Fitness members are so friendly and encouraging it makes you feel part of the Fitness family.

Mark was instrumental in helping me to get fit and ready for my 3000 mile ocean row across the Atlantic.

He devised a programme to fit exactly with my needs and kept me on target to achieve the strength I needed for my challenge. I was completely unfit initially but through targeted programmes and regular training Mark took me to the level I needed to cross that ocean.  Thank you Mark.

January 1st, resolution time, “This year I’ll grab life by the scruff of the neck and get fit” I say to myself, now this is not like my get fit resolution last year, or the one before that, I mean it this time, this time’s for real.

After a month of procrastinating, I finally had all the kit and was ready to get out there and get me some fitness… or so I thought. Turns out I have a will power deficiency and as such found motivating myself pretty much impossible.  After a little more procrastinating (4 months), I finally made the decision to find a personal trainer, a quick Google search later and I had a consultation booked at Lion Fitness.

As someone completely unfamiliar with gym culture I was apprehensive, however meeting Mark for the first time completely put me at ease. We discussed a little about me and my lifestyle and what I would like to achieve. Mark then suggested a schedule for me that fit in around work and later that week I had my first session which was… well… let’s just say I’ve improved since then.

4 months down the line and thanks to Mark and the supportive culture he has created at the studio, I’m making steady progress towards my goals. I have lost 29lbs, without following a strict diet (increased activity and smart informed choices are all you need – who knew!?!), and have gone from barely being able to run consistently for 5 minutes to running 5k in a little over half an hour.

Whilst I still can’t claim to always enjoy exercise, I can say that I am much healthier, stronger and slimmer than I was before I “borrowed” some of Mark’s motivation. I definitely couldn’t have done it without him.

I started training at Lion Fitness at the beginning of 2017. I was looking for something different to do as I had always used gyms and done general cardio stuff (bikes, treadmill etc) plus the usual throwing of as much heavy metal as you humanely could. I also had led a very active sporting life from a young age playing Football, Rugby League, Cricket and rowing for York City Rowing Club, I competed to a high level and enjoyed a successful and competitive career, reaching elite status and been invited to train with the Great Britain rowing team.

Unfortunately all of the sports took its toll on my knees to the point that 2 yrs ago I had to undergo surgery for a bi-lateral half knee replacement (both knees). The surgery left me apprehensive about doing something that had been second nature for many years (training), but my wife and daughter talked me into joining Lion Fitness.

I had also gained weight over the previous few months, but by end of March I had shed just short of 2 stone and my fitness levels were returning to a good level. I now do 3 Bootcamps a week and occasionally other classes. I really enjoy the exercise routines put together by Mark, Sarah and Marta, all different in their own ways but great PT’s and very motivational.

I have met and made some good friends whilst there and can definitely say that thanks to Lion Fitness my exercise mojo has returned , so a big thank you to all the team for your help and encouragement over the past few months.