On Wednesday we were delighted to welcome Pod Personal Training into school to deliver an inspiring and empowering talk to our Year 10 girls. Chloe and Molly began by introducing themselves and sharing their personal journeys into the fitness industry. They spoke honestly about their experiences, the challenges they have overcome, and how strength training has shaped both their careers and their confidence. This immediately helped to build rapport and showed our students what is possible with determination and self-belief.
They then introduced Pod Personal Training and Indigo Fitness, explaining why they are passionate about working with young people. Through an engaging icebreaker, students were encouraged to explore their perceptions of weights and strength training, uncovering common misconceptions and stereotypes.
The session covered:
* What strength training actually is and how it benefits the body
* Breaking stereotypes around women and strength
* Building confidence in the gym environment
* The link between strength training and positive mental health
* The long-term benefits of strength for life, including pathways into careers within sport and fitness
A powerful part of the session focused on challenging outdated views about women lifting weights and reinforcing that strength is not just physical - it is mental and emotional too. This message strongly reflected our school value of Self-Belief, encouraging students to step outside of their comfort zones and recognise their own potential. Chloe and Molly also highlighted the importance of Resilience, explaining that progress in training - and in life - takes consistency, patience and the ability to keep going even when things feel challenging. Students were reminded that setbacks are part of growth. Throughout the talk, there was a clear emphasis on Integrity - showing up for yourself, committing to your goals, and making positive choices that support your wellbeing. The students engaged maturely, asked thoughtful questions, and represented the school brilliantly.
We are excited to now be launching a 4-week strength training programme in partnership with Pod Personal Training at Indigo Fitness. A selected group of Year 10 students will attend weekly workshops at the personal training studio, where they will develop their knowledge of strength training, improve their technique, and most importantly, build their confidence in a supportive gym environment.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to grow not only physically, but personally - developing self-belief, resilience and integrity in a real-world setting.
We look forward to seeing the positive impact this programme will have over the coming weeks.
