Testimonials for Link Torbay

David

I was referred to Tom by a family member a few months ago. I have residual balance issues following a period of being diagnosed with C.I.D.P. and whilst this is currently in remission some residual damage remains. My requirement was to attain greater muscle strength, particularly in my legs, to help prevent falls and give me greater confidence when using steps or stairs as well as sufficient muscle strength to correct a possible fall when showering, for example.

I attend Paignton Winners gym for a one-hour supervised session each week and already have seen a considerable improvement in strength and a resulting increase in balance confidence. Tom has tailored each session, with my specific requirements in mind, and taking into account my 72 years of age. I would recommend using Tom’s skills to anyone who is ageing and who has begun to lose muscle strength, a natural progression as a result of ageing, to address this, often dangerous muscle loss, and highly recommend Tom in providing you with a suitable tailored solution.

Stephen

If asked to describe the benefits of gym activity and neurological disorders my reply would be. Almost unquantifiable but the benefits to me personally are enormous I have never at the age of nearly seventy been in a gym but my personal trainer Tom has guided my through the various activities with calm and structured 60 minute slots, I really enjoy my time there and find it eases my conditions for a full week. Thank you so much Tom a real credit to your profession. I look forward to a long and fruitful journey with Tom.

Francesca

I have been going to winners gym in Paignton for a number of months and in that time I have been working with Tom who is a personal trainer. I realised very quickly that I had a great rapport with Tom as he is always very encouraging and creates fun and engaging exercises that are personalised to me and my condition.

Within this time I have not only noticed a massive difference in my physical wellbeing but in my mental health as well which can often get overlooked but in truth both work hand in hand. In addition to being able to work with a PT on a one to one basis it means that the training I do enables me to enhance my strength and to improve areas of weakness allowing me to live my life to the fullest. To conclude I would say that this has been an extremely positive experience and has enabled me to improve even further in my already busy and proactive life style .

Nick

I was inspired by the work Tom was doing with people who were living with neurological conditions and of all ages. 

Nick my husband already attends a neurophysio weekly to which he has the last six years and wanted to attempt different tasks and goals. During lockdown Nick had not socialised much at all due to being immunosuppressant.

Tom did a full assessment with Nick and introduced to the gym and its equipment, Nick found it motivating and refreshing and finds that its a good balance with his neurophysio too, which he attends due to being diagnosed with MS and also having had a stroke. 

Tom is individually focussed around his clients needs, passionate and motivating. He implements a sense of fun within his routine which changes every week to adapt to the needs of his clients. He thinks outside the box to achieve the best potential and also delivers an engaging session. An inspiring young man and one to watch.

Laura

On Laura’s behalf I wish to say how grateful we are for Tom’s professional guidance, enthusiasm and care supporting Laura’s aim to get fitter and stronger.

Laura has a unique epileptic condition suffering from drop attacks and lives her life from the relative safety of her wheelchair. Tom has adapted her twice weekly visits to the gym to improve lower limb and core strength.

Martyn

Before meeting Tom, I didn’t feel comfortable going to the gym, but he creates an enjoyable environment that allows you to learn, build confidence and flourish.

My weekly sessions with Link Torbay have simply transformed my day-to-day life. My mobility has improved, which has increased my confidence in what can be achieved, has helped me tackle the challenges of living with Cerebral Palsy and has given me the ability to keep up with my daughter as she navigates life as a toddler.

I have had boring and tedious physio sessions my entire life; Tom utilises his experience to produce a varied, engaging and entertaining workout session that has had a far bigger impact.

I highly recommend the work that Tom does to anyone with a disability, you will feel the benefits and won’t regret joining Link Torbay.

Luke

Due to my Cerebal Palsy, during the second lockdown, I was suffering from pain and mentally I was also struggling for the first time in my life and I was unsure as to whether I’d be able to carry on working as I couldn’t inspire myself, let alone the students.

I tried many different things, but I met Tom and I started training with him at Winners 2000 gym, it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made, I’m in less discomfort with my back,my upper body feels much stronger and most importantly I don’t feel as ill first thing in the morning, I’m grateful for all the help I have received and hopefully I will continue to improve and I’m starting to enjoy my life again, rather than just going through the motions.

Ant

We first heard about Tom through Ant’s Neurophysio Cathy. At our first meeting we knew straight away Tom and Ant would get on great.

Tom is amazing with Ant, he really understands his mental and physical needs and works to challenge and progress him whilst considering the complex needs of his brain injury, which Ant loves. The fact Tom works within the gym environment is great for Ant as he feels part of the larger community, when disabled people like Ant sometimes feel left out.

Tom is a godsend.

Ross and Jamie

Tom has been an incredible support for our two sons, Ross and Jamie, who both have cerebral palsy. His approach to physical training goes far beyond building strength; he has instilled a sense of confidence and self-belief in them that has been truly transformative.

Every session is carefully tailored to their individual needs, ensuring they work hard and progress without risking injury. This bespoke approach has allowed them to thrive physically and emotionally. Tom’s patience, care, and personable nature make every interaction positive and motivating.

Beyond the gym, Tom creates a sense of community by arranging inclusive activities for his clients. A recent accessible powerboat outing in Torquay was a highlight for the boys—they loved every moment.Since working with Tom weekly, we’ve seen marked improvements in their fitness, health, and overall wellbeing.

His dedication and compassion set him apart, and I cannot recommend him highly enough to anyone seeking a trainer who truly understands and champions inclusivity.

Finley

We cannot express enough how grateful we are to of found Tom, since he started training Fin we have noticed such a huge difference in his strength, agility, and confidence. He thrives in his sessions and loves working out. The friendships he is making from the Bright futures project are also a real positive extension of what he has gained from training in the gym with Tom.

We really can’t thank Tom enough and it is an absolute joy to see the positive impact it continues to have in Finley’s life. Friends and family have all noticed the shift in mindset and change in physical wellbeing since Fins first session and we can’t wait to see that grow.

Drew

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the wonderful gym rehabilitation work Tom has been doing with my son, Drew. Tom is incredibly engaging and has built a genuine rapport with him, often sharing a good laugh while still keeping the sessions productive and focused.

What really stands out is Tom’s ability to motivate a teenage boy who, due to his condition, often has limited energy and drive. Tom has made the gym feel like a positive, “grown-up” space for Drew—somewhere he feels confident, capable, and genuinely keen to participate in the sessions.

Tom’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and supportive approach have made a tremendous difference. I am truly grateful for the impact he has had on Drew’s progress and overall confidence.

Daniel

Training with Tom has been the best decision for our son Dan. It was a real challenge to find a trainer with the right experience and approach to cerebral palsy, and Tom’s custom training plan meets Dan’s needs
perfectly. It compliments his regular physio, and we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in his strength, balance, stamina and confidence as a result. And Dan loves the sessions too! We cant thank Tom enough for everything he continues to do.

Oscar

After a recommendation from 2 other parents who’s children are Cerebal Palsy warriors, we decided to see how Tom could help Oscar. He has been training with Tom at winners for Over a year. This has been the best decision we have made.

Tom was very good at putting Oscar and myself at ease and gave us the confidence that he was knowledgeable about how to help Oscar build on his ability and strength. Tom is also very good at adapting his practice to whatever Oscar needs.

Tom is calm, patient and because he has built that therapeutic relationship with Oscar, it has helped him to know exactly how to get the best out of Oscar.

Oscar loves training at winners and because Tom has built up great relationships within the gym with other trainers and gym goers, this adds to the friendly atmosphere that Oscar thrives off.

Lewis – Team Leader (NewKey)

Tom runs a group session for three people I support and take over to him on a Friday morning at Winners gym in Paignton.

Tom and Winners have created a very welcoming environment for the three persons, other staff and clients engage regularly with all of them and make them feel so at home there, in what can be a bit of a daunting place for some people.
Tom adapts the sessions to be able to suit all three PWS at the same time and fully engage everyone, Tom has the depth of knowledge and tools to be able to think on his feet to get the most out of each individual and to ensure they get the most out of each session, every week.

The three PWS love their time at the gym with Tom and because of Toms knowledge within this area are able to get the most out of each exercise as well as enjoying every minute of it, they have developed confidence and social skills during their time so far attending the sessions, at the same time as improving their strength and fitness through the different activities.

Having a trained professional like Tom running these sessions allows the PWS to access all of the machines in the gym in a safe, controlled environment, helping them to use machines and make progress where they would have struggled to on their own account.
Having supervision and assistance from a Trained professional is something beneficial to all, not just isolated to people with Disabilities and learning difficulties, having a professional like Tom run the session has helped the three PWS to flourish at the gym.
It has been a pleasure to witness the fun and progress the three PWS have gone through already during these sessions and it is a highlight of their week attending them.

Kerri – Children’s OT and Physiotherapist (NHS)

Link Torbay provides an invaluable community service, where children and adults with neurological conditions can access a gym environment with 1:1 support. Building confidence to eventually access the gym with increasing independence as they transition through childhood and into adults. This creates a life long mind set and a sustainable way to manage their symptoms, reduce pain, build strength and stamina in their every day lives.

As a physiotherapist in the NHS, I have encouraged many of the children I work with to access Link Torbay.. Tom and I have carried out joint sessions with children and their families to build programmes to compliment their physio goals in a fun and motivating way. The feedback I hear is the enjoyment of being in a ‘normal environment’ amongst the community and the excitement of training alongside Torquay United football players! Tom has a great approach with the children, motivating them to continually self assess, set goals and see their own progress throughout the sessions and over subsequent weeks.
Additionally, Tom organises activity days throughout the year, giving opportunity for the children and adults to take part in a variety of pursuits such as sailing, rock climbing and abseiling. Something many of these children may not have otherwise been able to enjoy. Such an amazing service thank you!

Fleur – Exercise Specialist, Stroke and Neuro Team (NHS)

As both an ARNI Stroke instructor and an Exercise Specialist working within the Stroke and Neuro team in South Devon NHS Trust, I have felt confident in referring individuals to Tom and Joe in Link Torbay. The blending of Tom and Joe’s personal training and Martyn’s lived experience of cerebral palsy, continues to achieve effective results with specific exercise programmes being implemented with realistic goals and an element of understanding to drive sessions forward. They have been able to provide a continuum of care for patients and clients, developing specific exercises for each individual to enable onward physical and emotional progression.

I would like to refer more patients to Link Torbay. The Exercise Specialist programme I lead is a service focused on incorporating exercise as a positive progression after neurological events and ongoing neurological conditions. Link Torbay could be an effective element with this ongoing progression by a referral process. Any sponsorship or benefit entitlement to reduce the cost for patients would be a huge help for the affordability of Link Torbay’s exercise sessions for the patients. It would also help hugely with patients gaining independence from council support services in
the community

Cathy – Neurological Physiotherapist (Sense Ability)

Sense Ability Therapy values the collaboration with Link Torbay as it has enabled a young man with a longstanding brain injury, once fearful of exercising in a community gym to now enjoy the physical and social benefits of exercise.
Alongside these elements he has experienced a boost in confidence and body positivity.

Sharing key elements of the neurological physiotherapy rehabilitation journey with insights into specific muscle weakness has aided Tom to deliver a skilled program of strength, conditioning and cardiovascular components with an appropriate amount of supervision which brain injury often requires. Our weekly sessions compliment each other well helping this young man fulfill some of his life goals.

It is a great joy to see this young man’s anxiety about movement reduce, and for his beaming smile to return!! Onwards and upwards!