Craig
Parnham
About Craig

I’ve been working in health and fitness since 2005 when I started my first role as a Fitness Instructor whilst studying for a degree in Sport, Health, Exercise, and Nutrition at University in Leeds.

Since then I’ve worked in both coaching and management roles within various health and leisure settings.

In 2014 I launched Craig Parnham Personal Training and have since coached over 10,000 personal training sessions and helped hundreds of clients achieve their health and fitness aspirations.

You can read some of my client's stories, such as Matthias below, by clicking here.

‘I need the extra push and advice Craig is giving me. He always covers his advice with facts and knowledge, and I feel we are working together as a team. It’s a pleasure working with Craig’

- Matthias

My experience, qualifications, and expertise mean I’m very fortunate to find myself working with a wide variety of clients at any one time.

Because of this, I offer an equally wide range of exercise and nutrition packages designed to help even the most time-challenged of individuals achieve their health and fitness goals. So whether you’re a busy professional who wants to fit in exercise around work or a parent with young children looking to get back into exercise, there’s an exercise and nutrition package for you.

I pride myself on being a friendly, approachable, and professional coach. I don't shout, or make you feel guilty, or work you too hard.

I also understand that one style of training or coaching doesn't fit all. Everyone has different goals and is motivated in different ways - so I'll adapt my coaching style to suit your needs.

In addition to the above, it's also very important to me that I provide you with a first-class personal training experience. When you subscribe to working with me, you're subscribing to work with someone who will aim to deliver the best possible experience that your investment deserves.

‘Craig is very amiable and easy to work with, but also works hard to make sure you are getting to your goals. I have never been stuck with doing something I feel uncomfortable with and he has made me a lot more confident in getting around the gym (this is the first time I’ve consistently gone to the gym in my life)’

- Joe

My clients invest a lot of their time, effort, and money into prioritising their health, fitness, and wellbeing, therefore it's of equal importance to me that I provide a coaching experience that respects this.

Therefore, I offer all my clients a 30-day money-back, satisfaction guarantee.

Deciding to make a change to your life can be scary, and taking that first step can often be the hardest part so to help you get started on your journey, I offer a 30-day trial that also comes with a complete satisfaction, or your money-back, guarantee.

Basically, if at any point within your first 30 days you decide what I offer isn't the correct solution for you, you can draw your subscription to a close and I will offer to give you your money back.

I'm able to offer this to my clients as the methods and systems I use are based upon the latest scientific understanding of exercise and nutrition.

These methods and systems are combined with holistic coaching strategies that address both the physiological and psychological aspects of long-term behaviour change and goal achievement.

In summary, when you commit to working with me and following my advice, you’ll receive my satisfaction or your money back commitment in return.

‘If you have a goal to achieve Craig’s programme is definitely worth doing. It’s all about finding and embedding new behaviours that work. This doesn’t happen overnight, so it needs to be enjoyable and achievable, which it is’

- Celia

I specialise in helping clients achieve long-term sustainable change so if you’ve come here looking for the next six-week body transformation fix, I'm afraid you’re in the wrong place.

Unlike other diet and exercise programmes that only work in the short term by relying upon restriction, willpower and the promise of unrealistic outcomes, I’ll teach you how to achieve, maintain and keep the body and lifestyle you desire.

When you work with me, I don’t just tell you what to do by providing you with a generic exercise programme and template meal plan.

Instead, I work with you and equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain your progress and prevent you slipping back into your old ways.

‘Craig is extremely knowledgeable and gave me friendly, informative advice right from the beginning of how I could improve my fitness and nutrition. I have not once felt patronised or judged by Craig and I can’t fault his knowledgeable, flexible and friendly approach’ 

- Abi

As well as holding a degree in Sport, Health, Exercise, and Nutrition, I'm also a Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA) qualified, accredited, and fully insured Level 4 Personal Trainer.

In the UK, there are two levels of Personal Trainer accreditation - Level 3 and 4.

Level 4, the highest level of Personal Trainer accreditation in the UK, means that your coach holds at least one Specialist Personal Training qualification above the Level 3 entry-level Personal Trainer qualification.

I hold several of these additional, specialist qualifications and in addition to being a Personal Trainer, I am also a:

- Low Back Pain Specialist

- Mental Health Consultant

- Obesity & Diabetes Specialist

- Cardiac Phase IV Consultant

- Pre & Post-Natal Advisor

- Exercise Referral Consultant

So, if you struggle to stay active due to back pain and/or any of the other medical conditions above, I have the knowledge and experience to prescribe safe and effective exercise and nutrition programmes that will help you confidently find ways to work around your limitations, enjoy exercise and even reduce your symptoms and pain.

You can read further details of my specialist qualifications below, or alternatively, view my Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA) profile and a full list of qualifications by clicking here.

‘I feel better than I have done in a long time. I first started seeing Craig as I wanted to get fit for my wedding but now I want to stay fit for me. Craig helps me focus and without him, I don't think I would have had the discipline to find time for myself’

- Jennifer

Due to my experience and specialist qualifications, I am able to help clients safely and effectively work around many different types of injuries and/or medical conditions that would otherwise seriously affect their quality of life.

 ...

Low Back Pain

Back pain is very common amongst people of all ages and backgrounds and it will, unfortunately, affect most adults during their lives in some way - but it needn't prevent you from living the life you wish to lead.

Therefore, if you struggle with low back pain or a spinal problem, as a Low Back Pain Specialist, I have the expert knowledge and experience to prescribe safe and effective exercise programmes that will help you find ways to work around your limitations, enjoy exercise and even reduce your symptoms and pain.

‘Craig helped me by giving me exercises specifically aimed at improving my mobility and core strength. I feel the programme has been carefully designed and there's a purpose behind each of the exercises to help me reach my goal’

- Sue

 ...

Mental Health

Our knowledge and awareness of our Mental Health have taken great strides over recent years - although we still have a fair way to go to fully understand these complex and sometimes challenging conditions.

My role as a Mental Health Consultant ensures that I not only stay up to date with the latest research around these conditions but also means that I'm equipped with the skills and understanding to deliver the most effective and compassionate approaches to managing our mental health within a health and fitness environment - something I personally feel the fitness industry collectively needs to do a lot better than it currently does.

‘I’ve always felt incredibly supported as well as challenged by Craig in a way that was both accepting of my physical and mental limits but also pushed me out of my comfort zone just that little bit more, so I could get the results I desired’ 

- Vics

 ...

Obesity & Diabetes

Obesity and Diabetes are reaching epidemic levels in the developed world including England where rates of Obesity (defined as having a BMI of 30+) now stand at 28% of the adult population (and worryingly increasing in children too) according to the Health Survey for England (2019), with a further 36.2% of the population being overweight (a BMI between 25-30). This means that approximately two-thirds of the population of England are at a higher risk of developing life-changing, and life-shortening diseases associated with being overweight and/or obese.

As an Obesity and Diabetes Specialist, I'm equipped and extensively trained in both the physiological and psychological scientific principles behind successful, long-term weight and diabetic (type I & II) management. This means I'm not just able to provide suitable exercise and nutritional guidance for clients who need to manage their weight and/or diabetes, but I'm also able to provide an understanding into the deep-routed processes behind we make the nutritional and lifestyle choices we do and advise evidence-based, scientifically-proven strategies that will help clients overcome challenges that willpower alone will not. 

 ...

Cardiac Rehabilitation

In the initial weeks of recovery after a significant cardiac event, Cardiac Rehabilitation takes place in a hospital setting in the hands of highly qualified and specialised doctors and nurses. However, long-term recovery and maintenance of a more active and healthier lifestyle can take months and years - but you don't have to do this on your own.

In my position as a Cardiac Phase IV Rehabilitation Consultant, I can assist you in transitioning towards the next stage of your recovery and pick up where you left off with your clinical, hospital-based rehabilitation and help you not only live a more active life safely but also support your return to more normal life and help you make long-lasting lifestyle changes.

... 

Pre & Post Natal

The correct exercise and optimum nutrition Pre & Post-Natal can be hugely beneficial for the health of both mother and baby but it does require additional care and attention both before and after childbirth.

As a Pre & Post-Natal Advisor, I can support mother and baby during pregnancy with a combination of the right amount and right type of exercise during all three trimesters helping mother prepare for childbirth, preventing excessive weight gain, and supporting mental wellbeing. I also provide support in the weeks and months once the baby has arrived to aid recovery, help you get back into shape, and minimise post-natal complications.

‘I would strongly recommend any new mother looking to exercise safely to contact Craig. He genuinely cares about what he is doing and knows his stuff inside out’

- Cathryn

...

Other Conditions & Injuries

In addition to the above, as an Exercise Referral Consultant, I can also advise and help clients with many more common medical conditions that require a more specialised and personalised approach. 

In the fitness industry Exercise Referral means that your Personal Trainer can go above and beyond the normal remit of a Level 3 Personal Trainer and ensure that clients with one or more of the following medical conditions are prescribed with safe and appropriate exercise, nutritional, and lifestyle advice:

Cardiovascular conditions such as Hypertension, High Cholesterol, & Atherosclerosis

Mobility related conditions including Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis & Joint Replacement

Pulmonary conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Emphysema & Chronic Bronchitis) & Asthma

Mental Health conditions such as Anxiety, Depression & Stress

I can also help those who want to exercise but have injuries, new or old, that they would like to work around, such as sore knees, bad backs, or other movement limitations.

If you can’t see the condition(s) you would like some help with above, please get in touch to see if I can help you make exercise a regular part of your normal lifestyle.

‘I would always struggle with poor posture and knee issues. Craig listens and gives you options to try and find the best approach’

- Mike

When it comes to nutrition, how you eat and live is almost always just as important, if not more important, than your exercise and movement when it comes to the long-term achievement of your health and fitness aspirations.

To ensure all my clients maximise their results, nutritional and lifestyle coaching is included as standard with all my personal training and online coaching packages.

It's incredibly important when working with a coach that you ensure the person you trust with your nutrition coaching has an excellent knowledge and understanding of both nutritional science and behavioural psychology to help you not only know what to do but also put this information into action safely, consistently and effectively.

That’s why when you work with me, you’re also working with an accredited Precision Nutrition Level 2 Master Coach.

Precision Nutrition is the gold standard around the world for coach education and to become one of their Level 2 Master Coaches, an elite group of the world's best nutrition coaches, you must undergo a minimum of one year's study, research, and mentorship.

Working with me, you’ll have access to the world-class, evidence-backed, and results-proven systems used by Precision Nutrition, that have helped 100,000's of people around the globe, to get into better shape and feel better about their bodies.

Search the Precision Nutrition Directory for coaches in your area by clicking here.

‘Craig is kind and understanding; he's not one of those scary or seriously pushy Personal Trainers! He pushes me when he knows I'm ready, through being supportive. He's taught me so much, and I dread to think where I'd be without his help’

- Phoebe

In a world that has moved ever more online in recent years, it's more important than ever to know that when you're working with someone remotely, you know you are working with someone you can trust.

Fully endorsed by worldwide industry experts and licensed by UK fitness regulators, the Online Personal Trainer Academy ensures that accredited Personal Trainers and Coaches reach the highest standards of customer care and guarantee their client's results.

Look out for the Certified Online Trainer logo for peace of mind when searching for your online coach.

If you would like to learn more about my Online Coaching options, please contact me at info@craigparnham.com and we can arrange a no-obligation telephone call to explore your personal needs and how I can help you.

After this call, if you are happy with what I can offer, I will provide you with a personalised qoute based upon your own specific circumstances and what is required to move you towards your goals.

In addition to working directly with clients, I also teach and mentor the next generation of Personal Trainers and Coaches.

As a Visiting Lecturer and Qualified Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA), I’ve taught University students how to plan effective gym-based exercise programmes and assessed them against the CIMSPA standards for the Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer qualifications.

If you have any lecturing, teaching or assessing requirements that I can assist with, or if you’re an aspiring Personal Trainer or Coach in the making who would like to share their ideas, please get in touch at info@craigparnham.com for more details.

‘I feel better than I have done in a long time. I first started seeing Craig as I wanted to get fit for my wedding but now I want to stay fit for me. Craig helps me focus and without him, I don’t think I would have had the discipline to find time for myself’

- Jennifer

Coaches need coaching too.

Whether you're a new Personal Trainer just starting out on your career, or an experienced coach with an established client base looking to level up your offering, my Coach Mentorship programme could help you.

Starting out as a Personal Trainer is tough. Not only are you Head Exercise and Nutrition Coach, but you're also Head of Marketing, Finance Director and Health and Safety Officer amongst everything else you have to do to run a successful business.

I mentor and advise new coaches to help them lay the foundations for their business and ensure sustainable growth during their first few years in the industry.

But it's not only new coaches I work with - I also mentor established coaches who are looking to take their business to the next stage or share ideas and discussions on business strategies and coaching experiences.

If you would like to learn more about my mentoring options, please contact me at info@craigparnham.com and we can arrange a no-obligation meeting to explore where your business is currently at, what direction you would like to take and how I can help.