“Since working with Steve I’ve seen all aspects of my fitness increase dramatically, especially my strength. Steve prepared me for the England Alpine Squad Fitness Assessment last year, I went from only being able to complete around 25% of the tests to passing all with ease in under 8 weeks – this would definitely not have been possible without him.
I’ve built on this over the year through bi-weekly training at Steve’s well-equipped base at Kingsmeadow and following the program created for me by Steve when I’m away Alpine training.
Steve has shown me how to work to the best of my ability and also built my self-confidence to believe in myself as an athlete. He is a real professional who relates and communicates with everyone he trains really well. I look forward to every training session and the new challenges it brings.”
Amber Buckland
Skiing: I am a member of Surbiton High Schools skiing team and squad member of the ESSKIA team for ISF 2014.
Hockey: I play for Teddington Hockey Club ladies 2s and Surbiton High School 1st lX
Scholarship: Surbiton High School sports scholarship awarded at 6th form for hockey and skiing
“I first started personal training sessions with Steve Cooper in spring 2013 following feedback I received on an ESSKIA ski camp. I learnt that to improve my performance as a ski racer I needed to improve my strength and conditioning. I was recommended to see Steve through Surbiton High School and after an initial 1 to 1, I soon realised Steve had great experience in developing programmes for young athletes such as myself.
The training sessions consists of variations between muscular strength and endurance having facilities to both a fully equipped gym and fitness suite. This makes the sessions varied and very enjoyable every week. Also during the summer there is access to a 400m running track which provides endless cardiovascular exercises as well.
Over the last 12 months my physical fitness has steadily improved and I am now able to perform at a higher level for both my sports, hockey and skiing. In addition, I have developed a stronger winning mentality to performing in both my sports, which I contribute to Steve’s training sessions and coaching. I recently competed in the British Ski Championships, getting the best time for the school, which I attributed to my training with Steve.”
Amelia Vegting
“I have been meaning to write to you for some time to express my gratitude for the inspirational coaching I received from you as a member of Sandown Park Ski Racing Club.
Your training was superb; I achieved a level of fitness that I had always believed to be out of my grasp. Your way of putting every exercise, novel and well-known, into the context of racing, kept me striving for the bigger picture, and spurred me on to keep improving at a sport that I love. And your patience and time for all my questions was, quite honestly, remarkable!
Above all though, I now realise that it was not only your physical coaching that I have hugely benefitted from, but the psychological and emotional support you always gave so willingly. My motivation and dedication to succeed and complete all tasks be they academic, social or physical, to the best of my ability, is undoubtedly much greater as a result of your support. I realise now that the greatest benefits of your coaching were not just the physical improvements I observed at the time, but the increase in my self-confidence, motivation, dedication and discipline that I can only see in hindsight, but I have, until now, never taken the time to thank you.
Last week I was delighted to receive an offer from Oxford University to read biochemistry. I am certain that had it not been for your inspirational coaching and the all-round personal development you gave me as what feels like a life-coach, and the way it shaped my approach challenges and difficulties, I would not have managed to gain this offer.
So, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you! I wish you and the club every success in 2014 and onwards.”
Issy Pickett
“As a Swimming Teacher and an Assistant Swimming Coach, Steve has worked alongside me for two years where he was also involved with our Sport Science Project, through the Human Performance Unit at the University of Essex.
Steve has a diverse collection of skills from personal training, core stability, and injury prevention all of which he used within his role as an Assistant Swimming Coach.
Having coached 2 Paralympian gold medallists, who have both competed in three Paralympic Games, I have worked with many Swimming Coaches and Fitness Instructors / Trainers during my time as the Colchester Phoenix ASC Senior Coach and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Steve to you. He is a very enthusiastic, motivated, kind, caring person. He has excellent people skills and his enthusiasm certainly ‘rubs’ off on all those around him!
He is very knowledgeable of his subject and has the ability to demonstrate his skills at all levels.”
Maggie Hargreaves
Senior Coach, Colchester Phoenix Amateur Swimming Club