The Great North Run is pretty much a ritual here in the North East. If you’re doing this world famous half marathon, or even considering doing it, then chances are you already know that it’s not your average parkrun. If you’re an old time runner or are getting in your trainers for the first time, you’ve got so much to take care of, plans, timing, nutrition, injury prevention…you know what else is up your sleeves? So that’s where a Newcastle personal trainer helps.
Now, you may be asking “What if I do a half marathon and I don’t need a personal trainer? Well, you know, running,” Well… It’s a little bit more involved to train for something like the Great North Run than racking up the miles. And having a personal trainer by your side could mean the difference between flopping across that finish line or beating it all out of the park.
Your Individualised Plan
The best part about getting a personal trainer to get you ready for the Great North Run is that they’ll tailor your programme to you. And believe me, it’s not an ‘all-inclusive’ approach. You can aim to run your race without crashing, or achieve your best time, but a coach will develop a workout plan that will take into account where you’re at, what weaknesses you have, and yes, what strength you have.
The course is the inside scoop of any good personal trainer as well. the gradients, the bumps, the portions that your legs are like lead (the kind I’m talking about). They’ll prep you not only for running but for running this course specifically. And trust me, it’s very helpful when you’re half way through the race and look up at that nasty John Reid Road hill and wonder what in the world you went for in the first place!
Gaining Power Without Crashes
Power is obviously the crux of any marathon, but it takes time to accumulate it — and the right kind of practice. It’s not about running for longer and longer runs each time. That’s how you will get burned out, or worse, get injured long before race day arrives. Coaches know how to build up slow and not overdo things just so your body will heal. They can plan a proper mix of long runs, speed work and, crucially, recovery days.
Also, a trainer will spare you from that horrible overtraining trap so many runners slip into. We get slacked off easily when it’s race day and everyone you know is talking about how many miles they’re running. But your trainer will know to let you a little back from injury and burnout. Because, come on — you can’t run two weeks out with a bad knee and hope to make it to the end.
If there is one thing that separates the Great North Run’s winners from the people who run a final few miles in despair of having led the life they did, it is pace. And this is where the personal trainer can help. And yeah, you could kind of do it if you keep your watch but the trainer can help guide you in your pacing strategy.
They’ll tell you how fast you can run at, when you should sprint and when to pull back. And on long training runs they’ll train you to be disciplined enough to keep your pace (no matter how strongly you’re pushed to go faster). You’ll be well-paced and running smart, not hard, by race day.
Injury Control Prevention
No one wishes to get lost just weeks before the Great North Run. Shin splints, a shoddy hamstring, that nasty blister – you never know when injury might come your way. Personal trainers are the masters of injury prevention, ensuring that your workout is tailored not to overtrain weak points.
They’ll also make sure you’re building proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching in. This can sound like the dull stuff, but believe me it’s the unsung heroes who keep you together on race day.
Customising Strength and Cross Training
A lot of runners do not train properly when training for a half marathon. This isn’t just about the runs, boys! Strength training trains the muscles you’ll need for the 13.1 miles and those steep climbs on the way up. A personal trainer will show you how to do certain strength exercises to aid in your running without adding size or weight.
Cross-training – don’t forget it! Biking, swimming, rowing — all of these can increase your cardiovascular fitness without making your legs go nuts the way running does. A coach will know how to add this into your routine to optimise your race-day experience.
Psychological Preparation
The Great North Run isn’t just a physical race. Amid all the people, the speed and how long the race is, your head could just take off with it (pardon the pun). If you need to have the mental toughness to get you through those last few miles when your legs scream and your brain’s screaming to give up.
They will help guide you mentally through things like being laser-focused, staying calm, and chugging it out when things get tough. Preparing your mind as much as your body.
Great North Run Personal Training for All Ages
If we consider personal training, we think of going to the gym to hit the lifts. But the good news about personal training is that it’s not limited to the young and athletic. It’s a game for anyone — teens, fifties and well into 90’s. Newcastle personal trainers are true specialists when it comes to designing health regimes irrespective of age or fitness level that can make everyone remain fit, powerful and healthy at whatever stage in life.
Now, let’s see how Personal Training is tailored for every age group and how it can be a game changer for keeping your body in tip top shape no matter how many birthdays you’ve had.
Training for Teens & Young Adults: Start Them On the Right Foot
In this day and age where our palms are locked with screens and phones, getting teens and young adults outside of their couches has never been more crucial. Personal trainers are stepping in to create personalised programmes that appeal to the young crowd in Newcastle. No more humdrum, general PE lessons. Rather, personal trainers specialise in easy, social workouts that provide a firm foundation for being healthy, making exercise less like a chore and more like a way of life.
Not simply muscle or lose weight, but habits are everything for teens. Training young clients to do it in school or in social life — whether it’s making them stronger to compete in sports or managing stress through movement — Newcastle trainers are helping them learn to be strong enough to compete in sport. What’s more, coaches are known to throw in functional movements, everything from balance (hey, we’re all slumping at screens) to mobility and balance. It’s providing them with tools for life.
Training in Your 30s and 40s
The 30s and 40s tend to be when things start getting, uh, hectic. Between work, family, and a social life (you know, if you’re fortunate! ), finding time to fit in some exercise can feel like an expedition. That’s the real talent in personal trainers Newcastle. Because they know how your fitness time should be efficient, effective and compatible with your life.
Now, it’s about building strength, endurance, and flexibility. Most Newcastle personal trainers schedule sessions to squeeze as much punch as possible into a little time. Training that ticks all the boxes whether it’s high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for instant cardio kick, strength training to prevent muscle loss, or mobility exercises to keep everything in synch, trainers get it right.
Moreover, it is the age at which aches and pains often emerge. Trainers are expert in adapting to the smallest sprain or pain, devising regimens that build muscle without causing your body too much trouble. They’re even big on injury avoidance—keeping you from having back and knee pain because you’ve been sitting at a computer or running around after the kids all day.
Personal Training for Your 50s and 60s: Staying Fit for the Long Game
Personal training, once in your 50s and 60s, is no longer about setting PBs but about getting healthy, strong, and active for the long term. But don’t be deceived—now is not the moment to slow down. These may even be the fittest years you’ve ever been with a personal trainer.
Many Newcastle personal trainers are skilled in creating programmes that target muscle, mobility, and cardio health. Why? Well, exercise keeps us active as we grow old, and muscle mass (which naturally starts to decline), our bones strong, even our brains. This will make you feel strong and vibrant well into old age.
What’s best? Trainers in Newcastle will customise your workout to fit your personal preferences. Got a bad knee? OK. They’ll work through it, putting the muscles around them to support it. Looking to gain balance and coordination? They do that for you. When you’re training in person, you are not challenging yourself as an athlete; you are putting the body on the defensive.
Personal Training for Seniors: Keeping Fit, Strong and Self-sufficient
Our elders, ok. When you think personal training ends in your 70s and 80s, think again. Newcastle’s private trainers are keeping clients active, healthy and independent well into old age. And not like intense exercise or trying to restore your 30 year old stamina but movements for practical living that are smooth and intuitive.
Personal trainers focus on low-impact workouts that will give you better balance, strength, and flexibility — all of which is important for keeping you up and out of trouble. They also involve strength training, which increases bone density and muscle mass (important for staying fit while getting older). Moreover, they can be performed at a very safe and guidance way, so that the exercises should be performed in proper technique to avoid injury.
Active life in your later years is not just good for your physical health, it’s also good for your mind. Newcastle personal trainers also realise senior fitness is quality of life, making sure you are in great shape for the grandkids or the hobby that you love to do without constraint.
No matter your age, personal training can make an enormous difference to your wellness. Newcastle trainers know how to create workouts specifically for you at any given moment in your life, and make sure every workout is right for you, your body, and your demands. Whether you’re a teenager seeking lifelong habits or a mature adult seeking to remain active and healthy, there’s a personal trainer in Newcastle that will beat it.
Also, if you’re thinking of doing personal training but are afraid it’s just not your level then consider reconsidering. Fitness is for everyone – and with the right trainer, nothing is impossible, no matter how old you are.
So, if you’re planning on running the Great North Run, and really want to give it your best, getting a personal trainer in Newcastle is one of the best choices you can make. The proper trainer will arm you with the endurance, stamina, and motivation to cross that finish line – from pace and injury avoidance to custom strength training and mental prep.
I am a personal trainer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, specialising in fitness for the over 50's.
