After working with Del for just 6 months through online PT for my kettlebell marathon training, I have to say I’m astonished and thrilled with how far he’s managed to help me progress. With 3 (tough!) planned sessions a week for me to work on at home, I’ve gone from struggling to lift 16kg for 15 minutes at 10rpm, to confidently lifting more what I needed to qualify for my CMS status with a 16kg kettlebell for a full hour (770 reps) and ramping up the weights, work rate and fitness at the same time.

Each week’s work has been a little harder than the previous week’s sessions, but not so much so that it is unachievable – the little bit of progress each week has turned into huge progress over 6 months – this is testament to Del’s careful planning and understanding of the sport and my needs. I’m fitter and more confident about exercise than I’ve been in years. And on the days when I have a wobble about not being able to do something, he seems to know better than me that I am actually capable!

Del is also really responsive to the odd demands my body puts on me, which can sometimes mess up the planned sessions; I have rheumatoid arthritis, and all sorts of other odd joint problems and bits of metal holding me together, which sometimes means that sets have to be swapped around, or I need a bit longer recovery time. He takes all this in his stride, understanding that some weeks I need to be a little more flexible with my training, but never letting me use it as an excuse! The constantly updated spreadsheet we use to record my progress is a great way to stay accountable, especially when working at a distance / online. Thanks Del!

Ruth Tarrant