Emma S. testimonial (personal training with Erika Helsinki)

Name: 

Emma S.

 

Your specific weight/fitness/lifestyle related goals when you started: 

When I started PT with Erika last year I was pretty sick of going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and getting no results. All I did was cardio with very little resistance training, and although my diet was pretty clean I was eating a bit too much and getting nowhere (if anything I was putting weight on). I really wanted to tone up and improve my fitness but also improve the relationship with myself. I was bulimic when I was younger and so loving my body is something that I have never been particularly good at, I felt that I was at a time in my life that I needed to move past this and make some positive changes, both physically and mentally.

 

What have you achieved since starting your sessions with Erika? 

Since I started with Erika I have seen a lot of physical changes, I've lost just over a stone, I'm stronger than I've ever been and I feel a lot more toned. But better than any physical change are the mental ones, I'm more positive about life in general, have a better relationship with food and am even learning to love my body, slowly but surely.  The strength I have gained from Erika's training has also allowed me to progress in yoga, something which I love but have never had the strength, or confidence to improve in.

 

Your PT session experiences summarised: 

Over the time I've been training with Erika I've learned so much!! Sessions are always varied and fun, pushing you beyond limits that you didn't even know you had! Erika's enthusiasm is also unreal, I feel completely supported and motivated not only during the sessions but also in-between times. Her advice goes beyond exercise and nutrition, even giving me fantastic advice on how to deal the writers block I had during my masters dissertation!!

 

Are you happy with your results? 

YES!!

 

How has Erika helped achieve your goals?

Through constant encouragement, motivation, and support. Varying classes, and keeping exercise fun at all times. Her love of fitness and life is contagious, I'm pretty sure that with Erika as your PT it would be pretty impossible not to reach your goals!

 

What do you still want to achieve regarding your weight/fitness/lifestyle?

I still want to tone up and gain strength- right now, more than anything else I'd love to be able to just one pull up! (That and hold a headstand for more than two seconds in yoga!).

 

Would you recommend Erika Helsinki as a PT to others? Why?

No doubt about it, she is the best PT I could have hoped for!!!

 

Any other comments?

Erika would do anything for her clients, a truly amazing PT. I could stop there but its more than that, she is also a wonderful person who genuinely cares about each and every one of her clients. There is no way I would ever have reached my goals without her and there are no words which express how grateful I am for her help and support!

Published in Bodyfit magazine

Recently we've had tons of requests to give out 'expert comments' for fitness magazines. Erika was mentioned in July's edition of the Bodyfit magazine -- check out these tips on how to keep fit whilst on your summer holidays :-)

Bodyfit - July 2014 Issue Erika expert comment

MUST SHARE: Jeannie’s before/after pictures

What a complete transformation! From a shy girl to a confident fitness chick with Erika Helsinki --- WOW!! Is this even the same person?? (In many ways, no!)

bIMG_0750 Jeannie around 86kg -->
Jeannie now 69kg
Jeannie 04-2014

Rachel G. body fat test results (progress in 4 weeks)

I'm passionate about training two kinds of personal training clients;

1) People with a dieting past who want to lose body fat effectively and keep the results in the long term &

2) People who want to learn to learn to train for maximum aesthetic results - a nicely toned body (vanity, ha) -- usually women who want to primarily start using weights/resistance equipment in their training and to learn to train safely and effectively.

All training is based on getting optimal fat loss results FAST.

Rachel on incline chest press yesterday (tricep definition starting to come through!)
Rachel on incline chest press yesterday (tricep definition starting to come through!)

I've trained Rachel G. for the past month - she's a "type 2 client". I just did her body fat analyses (caliper method) yesterday as we'd reached 4 weeks of training together. We couldn't believe the results - increased lean mass (=increased BMR=her body is now burning calories more effectively) and a lower body fat percentage while her weight has remained the same (she's got no weight to lose). Details below:

 

Body fat%: Was 26.3% ---> now 24.4%

Lean body mass: Was 38.3 kg ---> now 39.3 kg

Fat mass: Was 13.7 kg ---> now 12.7 kg

BMR (basal metabolic rate): Was 1197 ---> now 1219 kcal/day

 

So proud of you, chick!! Let's keep rocking those weights :-)

 

/Fit as Hel fitness coach Erika Helsinki

 

P.s. Rachel had pretty much NO upper body strength a month ago!! She's so much stronger now and definition is starting to show.

P.p.s. If you'd like to enquire about personal training (currently available in North East England), text me on 0789 719 7818 anytime :-)

Ebook: 3 simple steps to weight loss (lose up to a stone in 4 weeks!!)

Download the new controversial FREEEEE mini ebook by Erika Helsinki NOW if you're serious about getting fit for the summer (it's NOT a 'diet')!  Click on the button on the right of the page to get instant access ----------->

 

WARNING: Not for the light hearted (swearing included)!

 

Enjoy :-)

 

/The Fit as Hel team

Our first ever PT Masterclass

Our first ever PT masterclass was held last Saturday by Erika Helsinki. We focused on working on people's technique on deadlifts. At the end of the hour-long masterclass people were beating their previous personal bests, although it's more of an educational session rather than a hardcore workout.

We were very impressed by the effort, enthusiasm and the great atmosphere throughout the session. More PT masterclasses to follow for sure (squats and bench press at least). Stay tuned by liking our Facebook page!

Once again, thanks for all attendees! Here are some pictures from the day.

Fit as Hel members’ lunch

I took a few local Fit as Hel members out on a lunch last weekend. Jeannie and Khelda are also my 1-to-1 PT clients and Eniko does my gym classes every week. All of these ladies have come a long way on their fitness journeys since joining Fit as Hel -- and I can't thank them enough for their enthusiasm, activity and support in our online community.

I intentionally chose a buffet as our lunch destination - and cheekily wanted to see what kind of foods they'd go for. Personally, after eating two plates and a fruit dessert during the meal I didn't have to eat anything else for the rest of the day - just green tea and plenty of water. This way, when you listen to your body, you'll not get fat if your food choices are balanced also when eating out. I hoarded loads of protein (mainly chicken and eggs), some sushi, plenty of veg and drank water with the meal... And then had honey dew, apple, grapes and orange for dessert :-).

Eating in a buffet can be tricky and bad for the waistline. Fill your plate with different colours and drink water. Never eat at at a buffet late at night.
Eating in a buffet can be tricky and bad for the waistline. Fill your plate with different colours and drink plenty of water. Never eat at at a buffet late at night.
Jeannie and Khelda
Jeannie and Khelda
Erika Helsinki & Eniko
Erika Helsinki & Eniko

Everyone is welcome to join us on our next lunch together - this'll be in Gateshead 3rd March 2014 after a deadlift masterclass at the gym. Please get in touch if you'd like more details - see you all soon! :-)

Erika