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Carl Benton | Director - Personal Trainer
Prior to establishing the Personal Best, Carl taught Physical Education, coached teams and ran Fitness classes for 10 years in the New Forest. Carl was also a regular contributor to Ultra Fit magazine, writing over 40 articles in collaboration with Pete Cohen.
Personal Best opened its doors in April 2001 solely as a Personal Training Studio. In 2005 Carl & his wife Kristine bought the business and set about creating something special. Learn More
Inspired by the Scandinavian ‘health house’ concept, Personal Best is a fully integrated clinic and fitness studio that offers a wonderfully diverse range of wellness expertise and services under one roof. Carl enjoys playing golf in his spare time and running after his two boys, who constantly keep him on his toes! In moments of peace, he loves reading especially cookery books and loves cooking for friends. Carl is registered with the National Register of Personal Trainers |
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Tom Bowrey BSc Psychology | Personal Trainer
Tom has a degree in Psychology from UWIC and is a fully qualified PT and Golf Biomechanics Coach.
Tom has always enjoyed sports and has represented his district and county in golf, rugby, football and cross county running. As a scratch golfer, Tom was drawn to gain a greater understanding of the golf swing and his golf biomechanics training has enabled him to work with many a keen golfer from amateur to professional. Learn More
Tom believes that training to reach your goals should be fun and varied, he therefore incorporates different styles of training to make sure you will stay motivated and keep coming back. In conjunction with the mobility work, Tom uses a mixture of boxing, high intensity training, cardiovascular exercise, weight training and plyometric work to find the right blend and fitness style for you to progress to, reach and pass your fitness goals. Tom has experience working with clients with different kinds of injuries, as well as stroke rehabilitation, sport specific requirements and general fitness. Tom continues to gain further knowledge in the fitness industry, recently completing a Diploma in Fitness Nutrition, to make sure the exercises and information he passes onto his clients is up to date and relevant to them. In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing golf, running, and walking on Cleeve Common with his wife and their dog. |
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Christo Archer | Personal Trainer
Christo has been working as a personal trainer since 2022, with a wide portfolio of clients with varying goals. Having lost a colossal 18 stone of his own weight since 2021, he knows the frustrations that come with long term weight loss and resistance training, and it is with a holistic view that he tends to view the world; and the world of his clients.
Having suffered a cardiac arrest in September of 2022, the rehabilitation process is something that he truly understands. It is only in the past six months that he has begun approaching full fitness after months of fatigue and setbacks. Specialising in weight loss, strength training and functional fitness, Christo is qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer, while also undergoing training as a Level 4 Strength & Conditioning Coach in November 2023. Christo really puts the personal in person training- it is important to him that each client has an individualised training program pertaining to each person to maximise results, motivation and success, which, more often than not, translates rather neatly to daily life. |
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Nicole Golding | BA Hons Cantab, Ride With your Mind Coach, Personal Trainer and Co-author of Whispering Back and Born to Whisper
Nicole has 30+ years’ experience as a riding biomechanics coach and “horse whisperer”, as well as a more recent interest (obsession) with self-defence.
Although working with horses has meant that Nicole has always been active, she’s never been a particularly sporty type, nor competition-orientated, and so understands the issues that older people - and women in particular - can face coming to fitness, especially within an industry that is often geared towards young men. Her horse and rider -based experience makes her keenly attuned to individual needs, abilities, and goals which reinforces her belief that a good personal trainer understands that everybody and every ‘body’ works differently for a multitude of reasons. Learn More
Nicole has a particular interest in women’s mental and physical well-being, and how transitioning through the cycles of women’s lives (pre-, peri- and post-menopause) can be supported by mindful movement, appropriate exercise, woman-centred nutrition, and a realistic approach to stress reduction. Nicole loves supporting people in making positive, meaningful and sustainable changes to their lives. Outside of fitness and self-defence, she enjoys crafting - especially knitting and all things woolly - wild swimming, foraging, cooking on fires, and spending time with her husband and their two home-educated children. |
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Kristine Hagen MSc (Chiro) DC | Director - Chiropractor
Kristine qualified from the Anglo European College of Chiropractic in 2000 with a Masters degree in Chiropractic. Kristine worked on the south coast, starting her own clinic in Portsmouth in 2003. When the opportunity to move to the Cotswolds and set up Personal Best arose, Kristine and Carl set about creating something special. Inspired by the Scandinavian ‘health house’ concept, Personal Best is a fully integrated clinic and fitness studio that offers a wonderfully diverse range of wellness expertise and services under one roof.
From an early age, Kristine has loved movement, performing both ballet and gymnastics to a very high level. Her love of movement and passion for helping people move well led her on her career path. Kristine continues to attend seminars and workshops and has widened her treatment skills to include kinesio-taping, medical acupuncture, insole (orthotic) fitting as well as spinal and extremity rehabilitation. Learn More
Kristine Works closely with Southmead, Nuffield and Winfield hospitals, as well as the local GP practices and can refer directly for MRI and X-rays or surgical appointments. With over 16 year’s experience, she is able to provide for Bupa, AXA/PPP, Saga, WPA, (plus all other major medical insurance companies). As Director of Personal Best Clinic, Kristine is responsible for overseeing the clinic team, patient care and day to day running of the clinic. Kristine strives hard to create the best environment and patient care procedures to ensure our patients receive the best possible care and service. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two young boys, walking, reading the latest Nordic Noir and travelling. Kristine is registered with the General Chiropractic Council and the Scottish Chiropractic Council and is available for treatments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Please call for an appointment on 01453 873 811 or book online here: https://personalbest.neptune.practicehub.io/p/booking |
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Alex Seymour, M (Chiro) DC LRCC | Chiropractor
Alex graduated from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic with a First-Class Master’s degree in Chiropractic. After living and growing up in Stroud, he has always had a keen interest in sports, in particular swimming and Water Polo. Alex competed at a high level in his swimming, including becoming National Champion and qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials.
Chiropractic treatment facilitated Alex throughout his sporting career, making him motivated to help all people suffering with musculoskeletal pain. Learn More
Alex enjoys treating all types of pain and injuries, including adults and children. Alex utilises a range of techniques for his treatment including Chiropractic manipulations and mobilisations, soft tissue techniques (including dry needling), rehabilitation and home stretches. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising in the gym, travelling to new places and attending local football matches. Alex is a member of the General Chiropractic Council and the British Chiropractic association and is available for treatments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please call for an appointment on 01453 873 811 or book online here: https://personalbest.neptune.practicehub.io/p/booking |
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Steffan Harris | Chiropractor
Steffan qualified as a Chiropractor from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic at South Wales University. He is also a sports massage therapist working with patients requiring regular and remedial treatment alongside working with International sporting athletes (male and female teams) across South Wales. Steffan has a keen interest in developing personalised strategies to deal with complaints and deliver high quality Chiropractic care.
As well as working in sport, Steffan also plays for the Welsh lacrosse team and is currently pushing to represent Wales at the upcoming European champs, and beyond that, the World Cup!” Steffan is available for treatment on a Tuesday and Thursday here with us at Personal Best. |
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Louise Reynolds | Foot Health Practitioner
Louise Reynolds is a qualified Foot Health Practitioner and trained at the S.M.A.E institute in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 2012. Louise is available for treatments every Wednesday. Please call for an appointment on 01453 873 811 or book online here: https://personalbest.neptune.practicehub.io/p/booking
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Erica MacCallum | Massage & Facial Therapist
Erica studied Beauty Therapy Sciences, qualifying in 2006. Very early in her career, Erica found her love of nurturing combined with her instinctive massage skill had her earmarked as the go to masseuse wherever she worked. Throughout her 16 years of experience, Erica has trained extensively in further techniques and is regularly asked to conduct massage, facial and skincare training for brands and Spas across the UK & overseas.
Treatments are available on Mondays, Fridays and some Saturday. Please call for an appointment on 01453 873 811 or book online here: https://personalbest.neptune.practicehub.io/p/booking Learn More
With qualifications in Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Indian Head Massage, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy and Aromatherapy Massage, Erica’s treatments will always combine a variety of techniques and movements to target and treat areas of tension and tightness. She will be working with you to seek out the cause of any pain or discomfort you are experiencing and make appropriate recommendations to achieve continual improvement. Erica’s treatments are always bespoke, depending on your needs at the time. Massage treatments will always incorporate warming and relaxing movements as well as targeted techniques to achieve the best results and ultimate relaxation for you and your body. |
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Fay O'Mahony | Foot Health Practitioner, Ear Wax Removal Specialist
We are delighted to welcome Fay O’Mahony to our growing team here at Personal Best.
Fay is a fully qualified Foot Health care professional with over 10 years’ experience. Having completed her Foot Health Diploma through the SMAE Institute, (the only establishment in the UK to run a University Credit Rated Foot Health Course), she has been delivering high-quality care for her clients in and around the Five Valleys. Passionate about providing great care and service she is experienced at working on all types of foot-related issues including fungal/thickened nails, cracked heels, diabetic foot maintenance, verruca’s, corns, callus, in growing toenails, general nail cutting and maintenance. Fay is also a fully qualified Ear Wax removal practitioner and will be offering both treatments at Personal Best on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please call for an appointment on 01453 873 811 or book online here: https://personalbest.neptune.practicehub.io/p/booking Outside of work Fay loves walking, the gym and open water swimming, plus spending time with her husband and two daughters. |
