Frances Walton

My sporting background is cross training; this over the last few years has helped me maintain a good degree of fitness for my age. When I was younger I remember in the back of my mind I had this idea of trying bodybuilding but never took the plunge. It was when I hit 45 I decided it was time to look for a new challenge and my thoughts returned to bodybuilding.

I had worked with a personal trainer in the past but found I did not make the progress that I had wanted. My previous trainer had basically run out of ideas on how to train me; I had reached a plateau. With this in mind I knew that if I wanted to make improvements and gains in order to achieve an ambition of competing then I needed someone who had the knowledge that others lacked.

I made inquires in natural body building circles and the first name that people said was Ian Duckett. I knew nothing about him but was told he was the best person to approach and that he would advise me as to whether or not my goals were realistic and achievable.

When I rang him up, right away I felt something good was about to happen. He was friendly and put me at ease. He gave me a little background to his credentials and it was agreed we would meet the following week for a chat then we could take it from there.

After the phone call I thought I should do some back ground reading him, WOW what a shock I got, he had been so modest on the phone but I quickly realized I would be seeing someone right at the top of their game. This excited me but also filled me with dread ...what if I was not good enough to train with him?

I need not have worried, that first meeting went really well, I told him of my gym history and that I was more than happy to make the trip up the M62 each week. That day we did a leg workout and I can remember saying to myself " yes I have finally found someone who can take me to that next level ". I have never in all my years of training known someone who has so much passion and drive, it's so infectious that you can't help growing both physically and mentally each session you're with him.

It has been without doubt the best move I have ever made, his training sessions are the most challenging you could imagine; I love every minute of them. Ian has taken me from a gym enthusiast without any true direction to a focused hard working trained performer. My only regret is I did not do this sooner.  

I can't thank him enough for all his help and dedication. The only way I can repay his kindness is to be the best I can be in my next competition and accomplish my ambition of qualifying for this year's finals.

His honest genuine support is an inspiration to all personal trainers.

Thank you Ian you're a true gentleman.

Fran X