Name: Ken Culliford

Job title: Head Strength and Conditioning Coach/Director (the boss!)

Tell us about yourself:

I’m originally from NZ but have been in the UK for the last 12 years. I enjoy all sports but my true passions are Rugby and Tennis. I played semi-pro rugby in Australia and the UK finishing my career at Barnes. I also played competitive touch rugby, winning tournaments throughout UK and Europe.

How did you get into fitness training?

I started training in the gym at 13 after I wanted to get “BIG” for Rugby, this developed into a lifelong passion for physical improvement and I have trained ever since.

What do you like most about working at Invigorate?

Undoubtedly the clients! The guys we work with are a great bunch of people, some of whom have been with me for over 10 years. It’s great to share experiences, good and bad, as you really get to know the people you work with by working so closely with them. We have to know them be able to motivate, train and support their needs. Our clients feel a little like a family.

What’s your favourite exercise?

Back squat for sure!! It’s easily the best exercise for functional athletes and Mums alike. Its good because it teaches good posture and force production which is important for running and lifting heavy things!!

Fun fact about you?

I have two wonderful children who are by far and away my hardest clients to please!

Qualifications

An exercise Science Degree from Massey University.
I am also a qualified nutrition coach. Level 1 Kayak coach.
I am currently working towards my UKSCA Accreditation which is the gold standard of S&C (Strength and Conditioning) in the world. I hope to complete this by the end of 2018.
I was also recently invited to attend world renowned S&C coach Mike Boyles one day Functional strength Certification in LA.

Name:Jordan Griffith

Job title: Personal Trainer, Head of Boxing, Youth Boxing Coach

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a local lad from Richmond Upon Thames. I studied sport science at Richmond College and then went on to become a personal trainer at David Lloyd Raynes Park where I worked for 3 years before joining Invigorate. Being so involved in sport from a young age and loving the competition of sport when I left school I knew I wanted to be involved in the fitness industry.

How did you get into fitness training?

I played football from a young age at a fairly good standard until I got into boxing when I was 13. I became a good boxer and had eight (8) fights, all of which I won and went on to become UKBU Light Middleweight London Champion in September 2015

What do you like most about working at Invigorate?

I really enjoy the mix of people, challenges and programmes that we have to create every day. No day is the same because we work with such a variety of clients, all of who need different things and approaches. From new mums, older sportsmen and women, people training to swim the channel and climb Everest we work with them all. Finding different ways to make sure they achieve their goals whilst keeping their training fun.
We recently established a weekly youth boxing programme the Barnes Boxing Academy which is growing significantly. I get a real kick out of teaching the teenagers the basics of boxing.

What’s your favourite exercise?

Barbell clean and press

Fun fact about you?

I have 7 pairs of the same Nike trainer all in different colours, one for every day of the week.

Name: Andy Patrick

Job title: Personal Trainer - MAN OF FEW WORDS!

Tell us about yourself:

I’m originally from Newbury in Berkshire, I now live in Richmond. I’ve two older brothers and a younger sister. Both my parents are teachers which no doubt has something to do with my passion for helping others.
I played football and rugby to a decent level before sustaining serious injuries from both sports when I was 16 and 18 respectively which is when I started using the gym. So as well as playing and training for sport I have a lot of first hand experience of rehab and what it takes to recover and avoid injury! I’m a long suffering Brighton & Hove Albion fan having been brought up on them by my mum who is from Brighton.
Studied Health and Fitness at Leeds Metropolitan University. Have a Post Grad in Psychodynamic Counselling from Oxford University. Having worked a number of years in the leisure industry I started my personal training career in Henley-on-Thames where I spent 4 years training private clients and developing a busy bootcamp. I then moved to London and spent time delivering body transformation programmes and working with a variety of clients to improve their physical and emotional well-being before joining the team at Invigorate in August 2017.

How did you get into fitness training?

Always enjoyed training and helping people so it felt like a natural path for me.

What do you like most about working at Invigorate?

The variety of clients and finding new and different ways to motivate them and keep them focused and engaged.

What’s your favourite exercise?

Walking Lunges.

Fun fact about you?

Once mistaken for David Beckham (albeit 20 years ago) but I'll take that!

Name: Matthew ‘Matt’ Maiorana

Job title: Personal Trainer

Tell us about yourself:

I’ve got mixed heritage , Half of me originates from Sicily and the other two quarters from Ireland and Jamaica. I bring together a love of pasta, good music and great big noisy family gatherings.

Away from the gym I’m a cycling enthusiast (though not quite the committed head to toe lycra type yet!) but football is my main sporting passion. I play a competitive 5 aside game once a week and watch as much as I can on the TV when time allows. I’ve also got a keen eye for photography & design.

How did you get into fitness training?

I first started lifting weights in my early teens when I began a quest to build a superhero like body! This progressed to more sport specific training to improve in my footballing ability and overall physique.
I have over five years’ experience in the industry, specialising in strength & conditioning alongside high intensity interval training.

Qualifications

I studied sport from a young age, attaining a BTEC National Diploma through to my most recent Bachelors honours degree in Sports Science. I’m a qualified PT and football coach.

What do you like most about working at Invigorate?

I’m the newbie at Invigorate having only recently joined the team. But I can honestly say they are a great bunch of guys with a common goal towards helping clients realise and reach their fitness potential. This still continues to be my main motivating factor working with my clients!

What’s your favourite exercise? Or the killer one everyone hates?

Undoubtedly the ‘deadlift’ for core and lower back strengthening and general all rounder !

Fun fact about you?

Disappointingly I’m allergic to (red) wine ! For all my Italian genes, a blotchy red face isn’t a good look.