Lisa Symonds Fitness Female Personal Trainer Norwich
About Me - I've an interesting story to tell.............
My journey into health and fitness started when I was 20. A friend of mine didn't want to go to a gym alone, so asked me if I'd go with her. At that time I was the opposite to what I am now, I drunk way to much alcohol, I smoked heavily , I was rebellious, aggressive and was very unhappy.
That day completely changed my life!
From the moment I walked through those gym doors I was fascinated by everything I could see and on that very day I signed up. I was given an opportunity and I grabbed it! I listened, I learnt, I trained and within that 1st year I knew I wanted to help others discover health and fitness and I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher. And that's how my journey began.
Over those 1st few years my main interest was in weight-lifting and I trained with B.L.W.A, to gain my Leaders Award. I then went onto to study for my Personal Trainer and Exercise to Music instructor qualifications.
In 1998 I moved back to Norwich, my home city. The following year I fell pregnant with my second son and that gave me the inspiration and motivation to do something truly amazing. I decided to set up my own fitness business. Like a lot of women during their pregnancy I wanted to stay fit and healthy, so I searched for classes in Norwich but with no success. Seeing what I thought to be a gap in the market, I made a plan for market research and studied antenatal and postnatal exercise.
As soon as I could, after giving birth to my son, he and I set out together around Norwich (on foot with pushchair) and I spoke to as many women as possible. I found out that there was a huge demand for classes. At this stage I knew nothing about running my own business, so I researched this to and found the help that I needed from WEETU, The Princes Trust and my bank.
During that 1st year of my sons life, I studied, took business courses, did market research, made a business plan, got the loans that I needed, bought all the equipment, sorted out insurance, trained, looked after my family and on the 24th April 2001 launched my new business. Phew! That was one challenging year!
During that 1st year I took classes in several venues around Norwich for women that had young children. That 1st year was one of the most challenging years of my life (and I thought the year before was hard!) It was a constant worry, especially as I had around £5,000 of loans to pay back. However, I kept focused and working hard, and in the second year my business really started to build.
That day completely changed my life!
From the moment I walked through those gym doors I was fascinated by everything I could see and on that very day I signed up. I was given an opportunity and I grabbed it! I listened, I learnt, I trained and within that 1st year I knew I wanted to help others discover health and fitness and I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher. And that's how my journey began.
Over those 1st few years my main interest was in weight-lifting and I trained with B.L.W.A, to gain my Leaders Award. I then went onto to study for my Personal Trainer and Exercise to Music instructor qualifications.
In 1998 I moved back to Norwich, my home city. The following year I fell pregnant with my second son and that gave me the inspiration and motivation to do something truly amazing. I decided to set up my own fitness business. Like a lot of women during their pregnancy I wanted to stay fit and healthy, so I searched for classes in Norwich but with no success. Seeing what I thought to be a gap in the market, I made a plan for market research and studied antenatal and postnatal exercise.
As soon as I could, after giving birth to my son, he and I set out together around Norwich (on foot with pushchair) and I spoke to as many women as possible. I found out that there was a huge demand for classes. At this stage I knew nothing about running my own business, so I researched this to and found the help that I needed from WEETU, The Princes Trust and my bank.
During that 1st year of my sons life, I studied, took business courses, did market research, made a business plan, got the loans that I needed, bought all the equipment, sorted out insurance, trained, looked after my family and on the 24th April 2001 launched my new business. Phew! That was one challenging year!
During that 1st year I took classes in several venues around Norwich for women that had young children. That 1st year was one of the most challenging years of my life (and I thought the year before was hard!) It was a constant worry, especially as I had around £5,000 of loans to pay back. However, I kept focused and working hard, and in the second year my business really started to build.
In that 2nd year my business just seemed to take off. I was asked by Pinebanks and the Norman Centre to take classes and also an interest in Personal Training enquiries grew. Within the next 2 years the Personal Training part of my business had grown so much that I had to make a decision on how I was going to continue. I knew that I enjoyed the Personal Training more than anything, so from there on my business became my Personal Training business.
As well as my vocation, fitness is also my hobby. Within months of giving birth to my son I decided to start running. It felt very awkward and painful at first, so I just walked a bit and then jogged a bit, gradually building up the distance and shortening the time that I was walking. In 2002 I got several women together and that year we took part in the Race For Life 5k. The feeling that I experienced at that race, has always stayed with me. Any woman that's taken part in a Race for Life event will know what I mean, it just spurs you on to do more, to achieve more!
Over the next 2 years I built up my running distance to half marathon. I remember the 1st half marathon race I took part in, I didn't think I'd survive the course, let alone get over the finish line, but I did, I think in a time of about 2hrs 15mins.
Then in 2007 I decided to take part in the London Marathon. I started training for it in the October the previous year, which gave me a good 6 months training. My training helped me to lower my body weight, which had a very positive effect on my running. By the time I run the London Marathon I was 8 stone which made running easier and enabled me to run faster. This meant that after the marathon and I returned to half marathons my progress just shot through the roof. In 2008 and 09 I took part in many half marathon races, coming 1st and 2nd in my age category, with times of sub 1hr 40mins!
By 2011, I'd been running my business for 10 years, being extremely active with work and my own fitness. I kind of thought that doing my before and after stretches would be enough but I found that my body was increasingly become less flexible. It was then I decided to start practicing Yoga. I remember the 1st class that I went to. I didn't know what I was doing, and had to really swallow my pride as I was used to being good at everything active, and to be honest I now felt completely out of my depth. However, I stuck with it and just got better and better. Without the yoga I never would have been able to continue running.
As well as my vocation, fitness is also my hobby. Within months of giving birth to my son I decided to start running. It felt very awkward and painful at first, so I just walked a bit and then jogged a bit, gradually building up the distance and shortening the time that I was walking. In 2002 I got several women together and that year we took part in the Race For Life 5k. The feeling that I experienced at that race, has always stayed with me. Any woman that's taken part in a Race for Life event will know what I mean, it just spurs you on to do more, to achieve more!
Over the next 2 years I built up my running distance to half marathon. I remember the 1st half marathon race I took part in, I didn't think I'd survive the course, let alone get over the finish line, but I did, I think in a time of about 2hrs 15mins.
Then in 2007 I decided to take part in the London Marathon. I started training for it in the October the previous year, which gave me a good 6 months training. My training helped me to lower my body weight, which had a very positive effect on my running. By the time I run the London Marathon I was 8 stone which made running easier and enabled me to run faster. This meant that after the marathon and I returned to half marathons my progress just shot through the roof. In 2008 and 09 I took part in many half marathon races, coming 1st and 2nd in my age category, with times of sub 1hr 40mins!
By 2011, I'd been running my business for 10 years, being extremely active with work and my own fitness. I kind of thought that doing my before and after stretches would be enough but I found that my body was increasingly become less flexible. It was then I decided to start practicing Yoga. I remember the 1st class that I went to. I didn't know what I was doing, and had to really swallow my pride as I was used to being good at everything active, and to be honest I now felt completely out of my depth. However, I stuck with it and just got better and better. Without the yoga I never would have been able to continue running.
Once I got into my 40's I found that my body took longer to warm up and recover from exercise. I especially noticed this whilst running.
This made me think that maybe it would be better for me to try marathon running rather that half marathon, so that is what I did and it worked! In 2014 I ran the Bungay Marathon, and I was the 2nd women to finish in 3.44.43. That was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! In those last 2 miles I thought my legs would buckle underneath me at anytime, but it's amazing just how the mind (if determined enough) can override the physical. Coming over that finishline was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!
After 14 years of running I decided I that my body needed a rest. I'd pushed my body and central nervous system so hard, with training, work, and life in general and in recent years it had started to show. I'd been suffering with insomnia for about 3 years and in the Autumn of this particular year my body had come to the point that I couldn't sleep, (literally I couldn't sleep!) Over the following 2 months I stopped running and just concentrated on my yoga and learnt how to meditate. My body needed to heal. I'd thrashed my central nervous system and my body just didn't know how to stop, even when I went to bed. Over the past few years I'd been experiencing what it means and feels like to live on very little sleep. I advise 'never to take your sleep for granted', as insomina can happen to anyone, and not being able to sleep is a debilating and frigtening experience. I can only put it down to my general good health and mental strength that got me through it.
At the beginning of 2015 I felt ready to start afresh and that's when I decided I needed to train in a different way and it had to be something that could replace running. I went along to the Phoenix Gym in Norwich, and started weight-training. It was almost like I'd come full circle as that's how my world of fitness started when I was 21.
In the summer of that year, I decided to start Power Lifting and hired a Personal Trainer at the Phoenix. This was an amazing experience as it gave me a real insight to what it's like to be a client. My trainer Jordan is brilliant! I still suffered with bouts of the insomina (not as severe as the previous year), but without him there would have been times when I would have found it very hard to train. I trained with Jordan for a year, and I can't thank him enough for all the help and support he gave me.
At the beginning of 2016 I decided to become Vegan. I'd been vegetarian since 1998 (with some slip ups along the way). I also decided to start Strong Woman training. Powerlifting wasn't really for me, I needed something with more variety and in a way could combine so many elements of fitness. Strong Woman training really seemed to strike a cord with me. I trained in Strong Woman for 2 years and I can't even begin to describe the positive effects its had on my life. I trained equally as hard as I did with running, the training was just different. My sleep improved immensely over this period. I would say this was down to a combination of meditation, yoga, and veganism and much more of a balance in my life. I also came across an amazing herb called Passion Flower. It helps to heal the nervous system and helps with stress and anxiety and it works!
In April 2018 I decided to set up my own private PT studio and to think more long term about what was best for my health and body, and it was with that I decided to continue building my strength with Pure BodyWeight Training. I knew that by building a really strong and stable core, that I would become much much stronger and healthier overall, for the rest of my life! This was also a type of training that was sustainable and that I could continue to improve at, at whatever age I was. It has always been important to me to be a really good role model and inspiration to my clients. I found that bodyweight training was something they could see was benefiting me greatly, and therefore they wanted to learn more about. I now have many clients who are successfully becoming healthier and stronger with this method of training, whatever their age!
In February 2023 I reached the wonderful milestone of 50! Which is one of the reasons why I decided to train as a hypnotherapist. One of the greatest lessons I've learnt in my life is that wisdom is about evolving and adapting and that's been one of the greatest lessons I've needed to learn as I've gone from 20-50 years of age in my career. Hypnotherapy is helping me bring some wonderful new skills to my personal training, and a greater understanding of our human psychology!
This is just a snippet of my life, including important elements that I thought would be good to share with you. The past 30 years of my life all started from the day my friend took me into that gym. I believe not only did that day save me but has continued to do so in many different ways for all of these years.
One of the biggest things I love about training is the human personality that develops from it and the person you become because of it - determined, focused, hard working, motivated, courageous, tenacious, dedicated and a relentless devotion to being the best that you can be. And the result of all of this means that I have the personality and the mind set to help others achieve their dreams. Over the past 30 years I've helped lots of my clients achieve their goals and their dreams. I'm now looking forward to the next 30! I'll be 80 then, I have no intention of ever retiring!
This made me think that maybe it would be better for me to try marathon running rather that half marathon, so that is what I did and it worked! In 2014 I ran the Bungay Marathon, and I was the 2nd women to finish in 3.44.43. That was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! In those last 2 miles I thought my legs would buckle underneath me at anytime, but it's amazing just how the mind (if determined enough) can override the physical. Coming over that finishline was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!
After 14 years of running I decided I that my body needed a rest. I'd pushed my body and central nervous system so hard, with training, work, and life in general and in recent years it had started to show. I'd been suffering with insomnia for about 3 years and in the Autumn of this particular year my body had come to the point that I couldn't sleep, (literally I couldn't sleep!) Over the following 2 months I stopped running and just concentrated on my yoga and learnt how to meditate. My body needed to heal. I'd thrashed my central nervous system and my body just didn't know how to stop, even when I went to bed. Over the past few years I'd been experiencing what it means and feels like to live on very little sleep. I advise 'never to take your sleep for granted', as insomina can happen to anyone, and not being able to sleep is a debilating and frigtening experience. I can only put it down to my general good health and mental strength that got me through it.
At the beginning of 2015 I felt ready to start afresh and that's when I decided I needed to train in a different way and it had to be something that could replace running. I went along to the Phoenix Gym in Norwich, and started weight-training. It was almost like I'd come full circle as that's how my world of fitness started when I was 21.
In the summer of that year, I decided to start Power Lifting and hired a Personal Trainer at the Phoenix. This was an amazing experience as it gave me a real insight to what it's like to be a client. My trainer Jordan is brilliant! I still suffered with bouts of the insomina (not as severe as the previous year), but without him there would have been times when I would have found it very hard to train. I trained with Jordan for a year, and I can't thank him enough for all the help and support he gave me.
At the beginning of 2016 I decided to become Vegan. I'd been vegetarian since 1998 (with some slip ups along the way). I also decided to start Strong Woman training. Powerlifting wasn't really for me, I needed something with more variety and in a way could combine so many elements of fitness. Strong Woman training really seemed to strike a cord with me. I trained in Strong Woman for 2 years and I can't even begin to describe the positive effects its had on my life. I trained equally as hard as I did with running, the training was just different. My sleep improved immensely over this period. I would say this was down to a combination of meditation, yoga, and veganism and much more of a balance in my life. I also came across an amazing herb called Passion Flower. It helps to heal the nervous system and helps with stress and anxiety and it works!
In April 2018 I decided to set up my own private PT studio and to think more long term about what was best for my health and body, and it was with that I decided to continue building my strength with Pure BodyWeight Training. I knew that by building a really strong and stable core, that I would become much much stronger and healthier overall, for the rest of my life! This was also a type of training that was sustainable and that I could continue to improve at, at whatever age I was. It has always been important to me to be a really good role model and inspiration to my clients. I found that bodyweight training was something they could see was benefiting me greatly, and therefore they wanted to learn more about. I now have many clients who are successfully becoming healthier and stronger with this method of training, whatever their age!
In February 2023 I reached the wonderful milestone of 50! Which is one of the reasons why I decided to train as a hypnotherapist. One of the greatest lessons I've learnt in my life is that wisdom is about evolving and adapting and that's been one of the greatest lessons I've needed to learn as I've gone from 20-50 years of age in my career. Hypnotherapy is helping me bring some wonderful new skills to my personal training, and a greater understanding of our human psychology!
This is just a snippet of my life, including important elements that I thought would be good to share with you. The past 30 years of my life all started from the day my friend took me into that gym. I believe not only did that day save me but has continued to do so in many different ways for all of these years.
One of the biggest things I love about training is the human personality that develops from it and the person you become because of it - determined, focused, hard working, motivated, courageous, tenacious, dedicated and a relentless devotion to being the best that you can be. And the result of all of this means that I have the personality and the mind set to help others achieve their dreams. Over the past 30 years I've helped lots of my clients achieve their goals and their dreams. I'm now looking forward to the next 30! I'll be 80 then, I have no intention of ever retiring!
Qualifications with 30 years experience
B.W.L.A. Leaders and
Personal Fitness Trainer
REPS Level 3 Personal Fitness Trainer
R.S.A. Exercise to Music Instructor
Community Sports Award
Level 2 Gym Instructor
Circuit Training
Antenatal and Postnatal Fitness Award
Running Coach (20 years experience)
Food and Nutritional Advisor
Self defence and Fitness
Yoga and Meditation
Area's of Expertise
Personal Fitness Training
Running (middle to long distance)
Weight-lifting and Strong Woman Training
Body weight training
Group Fitness
Sleep and Health Improvement
Confidence Building
Mindfulness and Meditation
Insured with Insure4sport