Pilates Fitness Classes: Trainer Nigel Rooker

After working in industry for over 25 years, the last 14 years being spent with Kimberly Clark Corporation as a mechanical technician and shift technical coordinator, I left to fulfil a long held desire to set up my own business. Building on a passion for health and fitness, which began in my late teens, after spending my early teen years being overweight and unfit, I returned to playing rugby union and gradually through proper training and diet began to see the results which exercise and diet can bring. Experiencing health and fitness from both side of the fence I have a greater understanding of the challenges required to find a healthy balanced lifestyle.

I have qualifications to national standards in personal training, gym instruction, GP exercise referral, nutrition and weight management, Pilates, circuit and core conditioning and have successfully completed a two year full studio certification course with Corpus Studios Brussels, one of Europe’s most highly regarded training schools, founded and run by Kelly McKinnon in 1999. The certification is accredited and recognised worldwide by the Pilates Method Alliance. As well as education, I regularly attend workshops/courses for continual professional development, some example’s of which are, New Earth Creations holistic life coaching course, foundation and advanced Power Plate training, and level 1 Pilates for golf instructor as a part of my desire to keep up with the pace of change in the industry and continually develop my knowledge and expertise.
I have recently returned from a series of Pilates workshops held in Los Angeles where I had the opportunity to learn from one of the Pilates Elders, Mr Jay Grimes, Joe Pilates assistant in the 1960’s and many other talented and experienced teachers including Maya Aubrey, Tiztiana Trovati, Niedra Gabriel and celebrity Pilates trainer Siri Dharma Galliano.

The most rewarding and challenging aspect of my work involves working with people with various health issues. I have helped people with heart disease, herniated disks and other back issues, obesity, MS, diabetes and brain injury. Where possible I work with a client’s doctor or physical therapist setting up safe and effective exercise programs to help improve their quality of life.

After over 25 years competitive rugby union, mostly at 1stXV level, my current personal exercise program consists of running 15 to 30 miles per week, at least one Pilates advanced mat and reformer class per week; allowing me to follow my passion for mountaineering, rock climbing and surfing at the weekend with my son Tim. It is this combination of cardiovascular training coupled with Classical Pilates sessions that allow me to get the most out the sports I am passionate about, even after 25 years of high impact contact sport and one or two quite serious injuries.

I am passionate about sharing my knowledge of the Pilates Method and the benefits that regular practice can bring to anyone regardless of shape, size, age or fitness levels. As I get older I now realise that strength with mobility and flexibility is an essential part of enjoying a better quality of life, I only regret I didn’t discover Pilates earlier in my life.