Your body is changing.
Your training should too.
Expert 1-to-1 coaching in a private York studio — built around the science of what your body actually needs right now. Specialist in menopausal health, lower back rehabilitation and building lasting strength.
Training built for where you are now.
Three specialisms. One private studio. Every programme designed around your body — not a template.
Training for women in perimenopause & menopause
Your body isn't broken. It's changing — and the way you train needs to change with it.
You're eating well and staying active, but your body isn't responding the way it used to. That's not failure, that's physiology. As an Exercise Referral specialist, Neil designs programmes that work with your changing body through structured, evidence-based training.
Book a free consultation →Lower back pain & rehabilitation
Lower back pain doesn't have to be your new normal. Neil has helped hundreds of York clients manage — and often eliminate — chronic pain through targeted movement and structured strength work.
- Evidence-based rehabilitation approach
- Address root causes, not just symptoms
- Safe, progressive loading around your limits
- Referral-level expertise — not a PT guess
General fitness & strength
Starting from scratch or coming back after a break? The Podfit system gives you structure, expert coaching and real, measurable results — with no wasted sessions and no gym intimidation.
- Complete beginner to experienced athlete
- Fully private studio — no one watching
- 4-phase periodisation for constant progress
- Coaching that actually teaches you something
The Pillar Strength System.
Most programmes chase symptoms — burning calories, getting sore, feeling worked. The Pillar Strength System builds foundations: three stability pillars that hold up every movement you make, in and out of the gym.
Hip stability
The foundation of every movement. Stable hips protect your knees, lower back and posture.
Core stability
Not crunches. True 360° core — the system that transfers force safely and protects your back.
Shoulder stability
Strong, injury-resistant shoulders that make every press and pull safer and more effective.
The 6-part session plan.
No randomness. Every session follows the same proven structure — safe, efficient and complete, whatever your starting point.
Prehab
Correct imbalances, wake up underused muscles and reduce injury risk before we load the body.
Movement prep
A tailored, dynamic warm-up that loosens tight areas and primes you for what comes next.
Resistance training
Personalised strength work that follows your current 4-phase block. This is where change happens.
Energy systems
Heart-rate intervals to circuits — improve stamina and boost metabolism without destroying you.
Core
The full 360° — obliques, back extensors, deep stabilisers. Not just abs.
Regeneration
Stretching, mobility and breathwork, so you leave feeling better than when you arrived.
Four phases. Constant progress.
Your strength training changes roughly every four weeks, moving through four phases that each build on the last. No plateaus, no boredom — and every time the cycle comes round, you start it stronger.
Every cycle starts higher than the last.
Each block builds on the one before. When Phase 4 finishes, the cycle resets — but you're stronger, fitter and more capable than when you started. That's structured periodisation, not just turning up and working hard.
York's go-to trainer for people who need more than a workout.
Neil has been helping people in York get fitter, stronger and more confident for over 15 years. His impact goes beyond his own clients: the owners of many of York's other PT studios — including Daym Fitness, Transform Personal Training, Tom Stewart Personal Training and Complete Life Fitness — all started their careers at Podfit.
Before founding Podfit, Neil spent 12 years as a PE teacher and School Sports Coordinator, teaching examination-level PE across East Riding schools. That means he doesn't just put you through your paces — he makes sure you understand what you're doing and why.
A lower back specialist with an Exercise Referral qualification and a specialism in adaptive exercise for older adults and menopausal women, Neil has won awards for the quality of his work. Complete novice or experienced — it's never too late.
Real people. Real change.
“Neil has been my personal trainer for over two years. The weekly sessions are challenging, stimulating, varied and enjoyable. His enthusiastic and positive approach has encouraged and motivated me to safely excel beyond my perceived limits. He has inspired me to achieve and maintain my goals of always feeling fit, energetic and healthy. He is professional, friendly and genuinely interested and keen for clients to maximise their potential to whatever level of ability is possible. Podfit is neither elitist nor judgmental and provides a private and clean city centre environment where clients can comfortably exercise, train and improve their fitness.”
“I'm so pleased that I made the decision six months ago to train with Neil. I wanted to get stronger and I quickly began to see that result. I love the mix of Speed & Power, Strength, and Endurance, having only trained strength before. I always found it intimidating to train in a gym but Podfit solves that problem. Neil made me feel comfortable from day one, while giving me a friendly push to challenge myself. I never thought I'd say that I look forward to strength training each week. Would highly recommend Neil if you're looking for a friendly PT who drives results!”
“I have been training with Neil for a few months now. I approached Podfit as I wanted to improve my fitness and energy levels. Neil takes a holistic approach and recommended looking at my diet as well as exercise. One hour a week training with Neil and some diet swaps have made a noticeable improvement to both my fitness and most importantly for me, my energy. Thank you Neil!”
“Neil is quite simply the most complete fitness trainer I know. He covers your whole lifestyle which is the only true way to health. He also brings his experience as a teacher to his approach. He listens carefully and adjusts his approach to maximise benefit and protect us at the same time. Neil got me into shape to successfully climb Everest and he's getting me in shape to row the Atlantic in 2027.”
Common questions.
Is this suitable for women going through menopause?
Yes — it's one of our primary specialisms. Menopause brings physiological changes that make conventional training less effective, or even counterproductive. Neil's Exercise Referral qualification and Pillar Strength System are especially well suited to this life stage: bone density, body composition, joint health and energy are all addressed directly in your programme.
How much does it cost?
You pay monthly, and it's worked out on 48 weeks of training a year rather than 52, so the monthly price works out slightly cheaper than paying session by session. Your first session is free, with no commitment.
I have lower back pain. Can I still train?
In most cases, yes — and training correctly is often the most effective thing you can do for lower back pain. Every new client starts with a movement assessment, and your programme is designed around your current capacity from day one.
What are the four training phases?
Your strength work moves through Hypertrophy (building muscle), Strength (heavier, fewer reps), Speed & Power (moving with speed and control) and Muscular Endurance (higher reps, shorter rests). Each lasts around four weeks. Then the cycle repeats from a higher starting point, so you keep progressing without plateaus. Everything is scaled to you — including if you're a complete beginner.
What does "private studio" actually mean?
When you're there, you're the only client. No one else in the space, no waiting for equipment, no feeling watched. Many clients — especially those coming back from injury or navigating menopause — say this is what finally lets them train consistently.
I'm a complete beginner. Is this for me?
Absolutely. Every part of the session is scaled to your fitness level. You'll always get a complete, balanced workout, but the intensity and load are right for where you are now. Many of our most successful long-term clients started from zero.
How many sessions per week do I need?
Most clients see excellent results with 2 sessions a week. Some choose 3, some manage 1. Neil will give you an honest recommendation based on your goals and life — consistency matters far more than frequency.
What happens at the free session?
It's a genuine session, not a sales pitch. Neil shows you the studio, does a movement assessment, talks through your goals and history, and gives you a taste of how Podfit works. If it's the right fit, great — if not, no pressure.
Where is the studio?
Just off Bishopthorpe Road in York — through the car park from Millie's, then 160 yards north east on St Benedicts Road. What3Words: ///hush.swung.watch
I'm already a client — how do I book?
Use the Podfit booking app to book and change sessions, see your week and join classes.
Book your free session.
Fill in the form and Neil will be in touch personally — usually within 24 hours. No scripts, no pressure, no sales pipeline.
Private 1-to-1 personal training just off Bishopthorpe Road — York's independent quarter. Specialist in menopausal health, lower back rehabilitation and general fitness.