Posted on 06 Mar 2014
4 min read
We recently caught up with our buddy Matt Fox, ex-professional footballer, personal trainer par excellence, and absolute UNIT, to chat about all things gym and fitness.
Matt told us a little bit more about his job as a PT and shared some great tips on training, nutrition and fitness in general.
Hi Matt, thanks for chatting with us today.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I am 28, born and bred in London Town, and love what I do.
When I am not working or training my time is spent with my loved ones just having a good time and living life to the fullest.
How did you first get involved with fitness and personal training?
I first got into fitness and personal training after my football career came to an end.
I wanted to stay in sport and enjoyed helping people stay fit and healthy so decided to get fully qualified and here I am today 10 years down the line.
What kind of training regime do you currently follow?
I have just come off a six week GVT (German Volume Training) programme and am now moving on to a hypertrophy programme for the next 6-8 weeks.
I also like to make sure time under tension is in my workout as this gives you the greatest gains in muscle growth.
Talk us through a typical day as a PT.
My typical day is fast paced and starts early.
I am up at 4.45am and travelling into London for my first few sessions.
I then do my HIIT at around 10am.
On a non cardio day I will be working on training and nutrition programmes for clients and online clients.
Lunchtime is busy with clients and my Bartendaz classes and then it’s back into my own lifting session before more evening sessions, usually getting home at about 9.30-10pm.
Obviously fitting in my meals in between all of that, in addition to tweeting and instagraming info, advice and training videos.
Are there any unique exercises that you incorporate into your programme?
Not really.
I suppose some of the plyometric muscle ups, pull ups and push ups could be seen as unique – but nothing out of the ordinary.
How much cardio do you manage to fit in?
I am currently doing 3 HIIT sessions a week in the morning fasted.
I love to do sprints down at the track or an insane circuit incorporating weights and cardio.
What kind of diet regime do you follow?
IIFYM (if it fits your macros).
I track my macros and calories and this really is the most accurate way of achieving your ideal body composition in my opinion.
I have all my clients on the same as it really works.
However if for any reason they don’t want to then I will adapt to suit them.
Any cheat meals in there?
Yeah of course, I love a Nando’s or a West Indian dish and I have a very sweet tooth so sweets and chocolates too.
However I count them in my macros, so I am still hitting my daily targets.
Any goodies in your supplement cupboard at the moment?
I currently have whey isolate protein in case I cannot consume food post workout, and BCAAs and creatine.
What is your best advice for someone just starting out as a personal trainer?
The best bit of advice I could give another trainer is stick to your strengths or USP.
Get as much knowledge from trainers that have been in the industry a long time and continue educating yourself.
After all, “knowledge is power”.
What do you advise to break through plateaus?
To break through plateaus I always get my clients – including myself – to do a few workouts that are completely different to what they or I would normally do.
For me it may be a full body workout with high intensity and lots of reps and sets with minimal rest.
Shock the body!
What’s the worst bit of advice/brosicence you’ve heard being banded around the gym?
There is so much, but I would say the one I hear a LOT is you can turn fat into muscle!
Who – in the fitness industry or otherwise – inspires you?
Gregg Plitt I am a big fan of.
I love his energy and no BS approach.
In everyday life Will Smith – his philosophy and approach to being the best is something I adhere to.
Who would be your ideal training partner?
To be fair my training partner now, friend and fellow personal trainer Hendrick aka Superman HF, is my ideal training partner.
We bounce off each other very well and get the most out of each other.
He is a BEAST!
What’s the funniest/most embarrassing thing you’ve seen happen at your gym?
It has to be the time I was on the treadmill doing sprints running at 21.0K.
I jumped off after my last sprint and this guy, trying to impress the girl he was with, jumped on and went flying off the back of the treadmill.
I was in tears!
What are your goals for the future?
I am someone that likes to write down my short term and long term goals.
My number one goal right now is to open up my own studio and take my business to the next level.
Well Matt, that just about wraps it up.
Thanks very much for agreeing to talk to us!
It’s been a pleasure.
For online bespoke training and nutrition programmes, drop Matt an email at matt@mattfoxfitness.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can follow him on Twitter.
If you’d like to be featured in a Gymtalk interview, drop us an email and we’ll get the ball rolling!
Henry is the founder and editor of GymTalk. He spends most of his time sat at a computer shovelling peanuts into his mouth while trying to think up new ways to end sentences with the word “vagina”, but occasionally can be found at the squat rack or playing piano in Luton’s “second best” rock band.
Excellent article.
Looking forward to hearing more from Matt.
Cheers Rob