For Charlie, 34, joining KBPT in 2023 marked a new chapter in her fitness journey. Charlie had been dealing with a spinal injury for six years. She was ready to find a knowledgeable, supportive environment that would help her rebuild strength, reduce pain, and regain confidence. With KBPT’s expertise in injury management and their approachable, skilled trainers, she’s now closer than ever to her goal of running again—this time, pain-free.
How did you get started with KBPT?
After a lot of online research, I found KBPT towards the end of summer 2023. I specifically wanted a female-led PT service in East London that felt approachable and understood back injuries. KBPT checked all the boxes, so I started training with them in September.
What were your main goals when you started?
My goals were three-fold. First, I wanted to get back to fitness and feel confident again after years of dealing with a spinal injury. Second, building core strength to help reduce my daily pain was a big focus. And finally, I wanted to get back to running. I used to run competitively, and even though I knew it would be slow-going, I wanted to eventually enjoy a jog without pain.
Have those goals changed since you started training?
The big goal of reducing day-to-day pain is still the priority, and it’s working! I shifted from a general fitness plan to a strength-focused one, and now I’m seeing real progress each week—lifting more, doing extra reps, all that good stuff. Running feels within reach again now too, which is amazing.
How does having a personal trainer make you feel?
Reassured, honestly. Knowing that I’m doing things safely, especially with a back injury, is huge. Having a trainer to guide me on form and technique takes away the guesswork, so I’m confident I’m not making things worse. Plus, having someone waiting for me each week keeps me accountable.
What motivates you to keep going?
The noticeable reduction in my back pain. I don’t want to go back to how things were, and training helps me maintain core strength to keep that pain at bay.
What’s been your biggest achievement with KBPT so far?
Getting stronger overall has been a huge win—I went from barely being able to do a handful of push-ups to doing 48 full push-ups! And, after years off, I finally managed my first pain-free run. That felt like a huge milestone.
What do you like about working with your KBPT trainer, Elena?
Elena is fantastic. She’s approachable and has a holistic skillset—she knows about strength and conditioning, injury management, nutrition, you name it. She’s incredibly supportive, especially when I have flare-ups, and she’s always ready to adapt the plan if needed. But she’s also tough in the best way, holding me accountable and pushing me to keep improving.
What do you enjoy about training outside in the park?
It’s a nice break from sitting at my desk all day! Training outdoors gives me fresh air and a sense of being out of ‘work mode’—it’s a great way to clear my head and focus on something just for me.
For Charlie, KBPT has been more than just a fitness programme; it’s been a path to reclaiming her confidence and independence, pain-free. With a supportive trainer and a tailored approach, Charlie’s goals are within reach, and she’s discovered a newfound strength, both inside and out. Find out more about training with back pain by checking out our page Personal Training For Back Pain | KBPT | E London
If you’re ready to chat about personal training or want to explore our options, don’t hesitate to get in touch or check out the different types of training we offer. We’re here to help you find the best fit!
