Feature: Our reporter gets ready to take on a personal fitness programme based in Leamington to help 'bounce back' from lockdown

Why I am taking part in this challenge, by reporter Oliver Williams

As we come out of lockdown more and more people are starting to think about getting into shape or losing weight after spending many months unable to go to gyms or attend fitness classes or take part in team sports or large running events.

The past year or so living under the shadow of coronavirus has taken its toll on many of us both physically and mentally.

Personally, I have been lucky and determined enough to be able to exercise on a regular basis but I have also missed that option of getting out and training with others face to face under the guidance of an instructor.

You really do not know what you've got until it's gone.

I also now have a yearning and curiosity to see if I can get myself in the best condition I have ever been in my life.

To help people like me living in and around Leamington to 'bounce back' from lockdown or to get their bodies and minds into better places than they have ever been before, two personal trainers are putting on an eight-week programme based at Victoria Park to help people get in better physical shape and to improve their overall wellbeing as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Martin Browne and Olivia Kreigenfeld - of Physical Formula - are running the PT in the Park transformational course, which will combine up to five group outdoor fitness sessions each week, nutritional advice and challenges and tasks for participants to improve their mental health, wellbeing and lifestyles.

And I will be taking part in the programme and reporting on the experience of it and the end results.

Martin told me: "The purpose of this course is to bring people together in a safe environment, build long-lasting healthy habits and empower our members to achieve their goals regardless of their ability and desired goals.

"Our sessions have been exclusively limited to ten people so that each member has designated time with an industry expert in every, single, session.

"Our mission is to make the world; happier, healthier and stronger, share our knowledge of productivity, mindset and motivation all whilst having fun."

Martin, a health and performance strategist, is a former Loughborough University athlete who competed as a sprinter at the highest level in the UK’s domestic races.

He took part in the Olympic testing program to be part of the Great Britain bobsleigh team and narrowly missed out on the chance due to injury.

He has now turned his attention and determination towards helping others with their health and fitness and has ten years of experience as a personal trainer.

Olivia is a bio-harmoniser and nutritional expert.

She said: "Over the last three years I have seen loved ones lose their ongoing battle with health.

"It was this deep emotional helplessness that lit a fire inside me to finally take control, not only of my own health but the health of everyone around me."

Those, like me, who have signed up to the PT in the Park programme have been asked to record their progress to provide motivation as the course goes on.

The three main fitness options offered by the programme are weight loss, fat burning and building strong lean muscle.

I'm a slim guy and am reasonably fit so I will be looking to gain strength and 'bulk up a bit' with the third option.

My fellow participants and I will be advised how to and encouraged to develop habits such as get plenty of sleep, eat healthily and close their 'eating windows' to between eight and ten hours.

The eight weekly tasks set for myself and others include drinking two to three litres of water a day, having no screen time two hours before they go to bed, run or walk 10k, eat five or more vegetables a day, reduce the amount of complex carbohydrates they consume by 100g per day and then 50g per day and to exercise on every day of a week.

The course starts on Monday (May 3) with morning, daytime and evening sessions taking place.

I'm looking forward to the challenge and to seeing what results I can achieve personally.

I'm looking forward to being part of a group who are hoping to both recover from lockdown and improve themselves in the process.

For more information about Physical Formula and PT in the Park visit physicalformula.com, find Physical Formula on Facebook or follow physicalformula on Instagram.