F45 Personal Trainer - Lee Stephens: Expert Of The Week

We showcase a top practitioner in the industry to get an inside scoop on what they do and how they do it. We always aim to get you access to the best information and the people who own it!!

This week we are talking to Lee Stephens: a Freelance Personal Trainer and class teacher in London. You can catch him teaching classes at F45 Tottenham Court Road most days and then working out of multiple studios across London with his clients

How Long have you been a personal trainer?

I’ve been a personal trainer around 2 and a half years now, and I’m absolutely loving it. I switched to fitness after leaving a career in quantity surveying.

How did you get you started?

I passed my REPS Level 3 in PT like everyone else and got super lucky, within a month I was working in the prestigious KX private members club, one of the best and most exclusive gyms in the country. At KX they have a large internal education system which supercharges your knowledge base - its the equivalent of doing a degree in sports science over 2 years!

What is your wellness philosophy?

I'm all about having fun and enjoying exercise, alongside eating healthy and balanced food. The last thing I would want is my clients and class members thinking it’s a chore to be in my sessions and finding it boring to workout and stay in shape. It's all about adapting your lifestyle to what suits you and having fun whilst doing it.

What does a day in the life of Lee look like?

So typically, I'm in the F45 Tottenham Court Road studio for 6am, bright and early ready to teach 4 back-to-back classes. I'll then usually train myself and either get ready for the afternoon class or go home and get on with the most amazing task of ADMIN :)

If you could only do 3 exercises, what would they be?

Barbell Push Press,

Sled/Prowler Pushes,

and a Cable/Weighted Woodchop for those abs.

What’s your favourite breakfast?

My favourite breakfast without a shadow of a doubt is crushed avocado on sourdough toast with chilli flakes, poached eggs and smoked salmon or chorizo! Absolute winner!

Top tips for motivation?

Firstly, number one is set some goals. I use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) goals with my clients There's nothing better than seeing progress along your 4/8/12 week fitness journey or body transformation. Even if you train just to keep fit, have goals or specific workouts/exercises that you want to achieve.

Secondly try to find like-minded individuals to train with, whether that's a regular gym buddy, or a great class. I treat my F45 classes as a fitness community, everyone encourages each other to push a bit harder, creating that camaraderie and atmosphere for enjoyment.