ABOUT US
Meet The Team
Our team of trainers and fitness coaches are here to support and guide you on your way to achieving a healthy lifestyle....whether that's by creating exercise routines, correcting form, nutritional advice, motivation or just a good chat to keep you company while you train. No matter what you need, rest assured we will be able to help you reach your long term goals.
Ed Shaw
Owner & Personal Trainer
Ed has been immersed in the fitness and health realm since childhood. Driven by a deep passion for sports, he has competed at a high level in cricket, hockey, and racquets, making it a seamless transition for Ed to assist others in reaching their aspirations.
His traditional personal training sessions evolved into a strong interest in remedial exercise, where Ed now focuses on movement-based rehabilitation. By tailoring his training methods, he has built a diverse client base, including individuals affected by chronic injuries and conditions such as Parkinson's, MS, and cerebral palsy.
Dave Gainford
Owner & Personal Trainer
As a gifted footballer, David began his pursuit of an Extended Diploma in Football (Performance and Excellence) at Hartpury College. However, an unfortunate injury prevented him from completing the course. During his recovery, he discovered a newfound passion for fitness training, which led him to qualify as a Level 3 Personal Trainer. In February 2020, he partnered with Ed to establish Peak Fitness & Lifestyle.
Specializing in strength and conditioning, weight and circuit training, David is well-known for cultivating strong relationships with a diverse clientele, offering unwavering support and guidance throughout their fitness journeys.
Izzy Lane
Personal Trainer
Izzy is a Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer, Exercise Referral and Rehabilitation Specialist with more than 8 years experience. After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 19, Izzy began exercising to support her health, and this is what drives her passion to work with people to improve their health and fitness. She is a keen triathlete, and has a number of clients who she has helped to achieve running and triathlon personal bests - from beginners to GB athletes.
Benefitting from qualifications that include adapting exercise for adolescence, pre/post natal and cancer rehabilitation Izzy works with a wide range of clients (including those looking for weight loss, to build strength or for guidance on weight training) and sessions with her are fun, varied and designed to keep exercise interesting and effective.
Matt Watkin-Jones
Personal Trainer
Matt is a Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer, certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He has over a decade of experience in Strength & Conditioning spanning across the world from the UK to New Zealand.
Renowned for taking athletes to the next level, Matt has helped young athletes achieve scholarships at prestige schools through performance improvements in the weights room. He uses both movement and needs analysis to create bespoke programmes to increase performance and reduce the risk of injuries.
As Matt explains - "The role of the Strength & Conditioning coach is to bridge the gap between the theory of training and applied training, helping athletes to become faster, stronger and more flexible and to build their muscular endurance so they perform better and remain injury free"
Ben Howard BSc, MSc
Personal Trainer & Physiologist
Ben joined the team in August 2023 after managing and training at a Fitness and Lifestyle gym in Oxford for three years. He has obtained a BSc in Sport & Exercise Science and an MSc in Exercise Physiology from Loughborough University. He has always been passionate about helping others become the fittest and healthiest versions of themselves.
As a registered member of The Academy for Healthcare Science as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Ben can work with all individuals of all ages and abilities. He now specialises in working with individuals with clinical needs, such as cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, or metabolic diseases. This includes, but is not limited to: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis.
Ben has previously also coached talented young athletes, including International standard footballers in the Oxford United F.C Women Academy.
Dan Trott
Personal Trainer
Having participated in high-level sports as a child and spending his school holidays at a leisure club in Gloucester where his mother worked, Dan developed a deep passion for fitness and a strong aspiration to become a personal trainer, inspired by the professionals he observed at the gym.
After earning his certification as a Personal Trainer, Dan embarked on his career at an exclusive gym in the Cotswold Water Park. This opportunity allowed him to gain invaluable experience working with clients and expanding his coaching knowledge.
From 2022 until early 2025, Dan was based at a strength and conditioning gym in Cheltenham, which pushed him to deepen his understanding of physiology and rehabilitation, while also honing his skills in strength and sports-based conditioning.
Dan has devised a comprehensive training format for his clients that he believes will best support their goals, incorporating the diverse skills he has acquired throughout his journey. This approach encompasses not only training techniques within the gym but also considerations for nutrition and physical activity outside of workouts.
Kate Hovey
Personal Trainer
Kate is a Personal Trainer specialising in supporting pre and postnatal clients and mid-life women with exercise and nutrition. She feels passionate about teaching women that through regular movement they will better equip themselves to navigate through key life stages such as pregnancy, birth, motherhood and/or menopause
Kate has always used exercise and sport to support her own mental and physical health and feels passionate about helping women gain the confidence to move their bodies and exercise.
With a young family of her own, Kate understands the challenges and time constraints of everyday life. She is focussed on encouraging her clients to eat well and exercise efficiently to help improve their energy levels, grow mentally and physically stronger so they look, feel and perform at their best.