About John
My name is John Phillips, AKA, “The Guru”. I am 44 years old and have over 20 years’ experience and knowledge in the Health and Fitness Industry – what I don’t know, isn’t worth knowing!
I have worked and trained alongside professional athletes in the British Bobsleigh Team, the RAF, Gladiators and World’s Strongest Man, as well as training GB Athletes for competitions.
I opened the doors of Peak in July 2016, bringing a whole new Health and Fitness experience to Tavistock. I am passionate about passing my knowledge on to others and plan to expand the Peak brand even further in future!
My Qualifications
As well as a Gym Owner, I am a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist. I have additional qualifications in Boxing, Spinning, Kettlebells, TRX and Circuit Training. I also specialise in mobility and injury rehabilitation.
I am also a fully qualified Tutor and Assessor and have recently launched Peak Academy to provide a range of fitness qualifications for those wanting to pursue a career in the fitness industry.
I am also a trained First Aider with my Level 2 at work first aid qualification.
Setting a precedent and showing the other “gyms” in Tavistock “How A Gym Should Be”!
My Training
Over the years I have trained hypertrophy (weight training, bodybuilding) and as the fitness industry has moved on I have adapted to more functional fitness, including CrossFit, Plyometric training as well as calisthenics. As I get older, it is harder to keep supple and mobility becomes limited so I started incorporating stretching and mobility drills into my training regime.
About Jo
My name is Jo Taylor. As a Fitness Coach, Gym Owner and Mum (not necessarily in that order!), I know how important it is to lead a healthy lifestyle and keep fit and active, but I also know how hard it is to make health and fitness part of your everyday lifestyle and routine.
I opened Peak with John in July 2016 and wanted to show Tavistock and especially the ladies that a gym doesn’t have to be a clinical place, full of fit people – it should be a place where people of all ages and abilities come together to improve their health and fitness – like one big Fitness Family!
My Qualifications
I am a Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer and Nutritionist with additional qualifications in Pre and Post Natal Training.
I am also a fully qualified Tutor and Assessor and work alongside John at our Academy providing fitness qualifications for those wanting to pursue a career in the fitness industry.
I have also created an online gym – My Peak – jolenetaylor.co.uk for those who are unable to or don’t want to join a gym with bodyweight workouts you can do anywhere, as well as amazing recipes and informative health and fitness articles.
My Training
I have only really embraced fitness and exercise in the last few years. I particularly enjoy functional and strength training and am working hard to dispel the myth and show the ladies that lifting weights will not make you massive – only an awesome, kick-ass She-Ra!
About Jo
My name is Joanne Elmore. I am a Level 2 Gym Instructor. I got into Health and Fitness because I was morbidly obese and getting help from the Doctor wasn’t enough, I needed to make some big changes to help my life.
Going into a gym wasn’t even an option for me at the start of my journey, I was too embarrassed. I did eventually get the confidence and hired a Personal Trainer until I was able to do it on my own.
Years of working with children eating lots of sugary foods to get me through the day just saw my weight balloon to a massive 21stone and at 5ft 3 that is not good.
My Qualifications
I am a level 3 childcare professional but after years of seeing the bad relationships with food that can be created from such I young age I knew I wanted to train in something else and help others.
I have my Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification and am currently studying for my Level 3 Personal Training Diploma with Peak Academy to learn their wisdom but also the ethos they carry as trainers and people.
I am also First Aid Trained.
In the future I want to be an obesity specialist for young people. I would like to expand my knowledge in as many areas as possible including nutrition, kettlebells, spin and suspension training.
My Training
I will work with anyone with any type of goals, especially those that are new to fitness and would like to build their confidence using the gym.
I personally love weights and have noticed such a change in my own body and health since lifting. I am also a fan of circuits and any type of training that gets the body moving.
Contact information
About Francis
My name is Francis Jensen. I’m currently working towards my Personal Trainer and Gym Instructor qualifications with Peak Academy. I first became interested in training and fitness whilst playing rugby and it has become my main focus.
I have developed a particular interest in strength and conditioning as part of the broader gym training experience and I am qualified British Weightlifting coach.
My Qualifications
I am currently completing my Personal Training Diploma and also hold the British Weightlifting Level 1 Coaching qualification.
My interest in Strength and Conditioning has lead me to qualify as a British Weightlifting Level 2 Strength Coach.
I am a trained First Aider and also hold an Enhanced DBS check which means I can work independently with children and vulnerable adults.
My Training
I am very flexible in my approaches and keen to think “outside the box” in order to challenge and motivate people with their training. Although many strength elements are at the core of my own training,
I am always keen to tailor training to what works. If you would like to incorporate some Olympic lifting as an element of your training, I would be delighted to share my experience.
Contact information
About Liz
Liz Brew is a Chartered specialist Physiotherapist. Registered with the health professionals council and all major health insurance companies and recognised by the British Olympic Association.
Liz has represented Great Britain as physiotherapist to the British Swimming Team internationally for over 15 yrs, at the Sydney Olympic games and in preparation for the Olympic Games in Athens , Beijing and London. Liz has also worked with the Great Britain Triathlon Team and Para triathlon team toward Tokyo 2020.
Formerly, Liz worked in professional Rugby Union & Rugby league including Leeds Rhinos Wakefield & Halifax Bluesox before moving to the Southwest.
My Qualifications
Liz specializes in all Sports and MSK injury prehab & rehab and injury prevention
and also has a postgraduate in Manipulative Therapy from Sheffield Hallam University along with a teaching qualification which has enabled Liz to work not only treating patients effectively but to teach the next generation of university Physiotherapy students.
Liz has also undertaken many specialized clinical qualifications and she is happy to share her knowledge to all our Peak members and family in the gym and to chat and offer advice.
My Work
Areas of specialism include:
• Clinical Pilates and Yogalates
• Neck & Back Pain Treatment
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Hydrotherapy
• Sports Massage
• Bio-mechanical Assessments
• Muscle, Sciatica and Shoulder Pain Treatment
• Acupuncture; Sports Injury; Osteopathy
• Cold Therapy
• Manual Therapy and Physiotherapy
• Manual Lymph Drainage; Bobath Therapy
• Electro and Ultrasound Therapy
• Women’s Health pre-post natal/osteoporosis & menopause Mummy MOT’s
• Sports taping / strapping
• Custom made orthotic service
Contact information
About Viki
My name is Viki Christmas and I am a qualified Yoga Instructor.
I really got into health and fitness about ten years ago when I began suffering from lower back pain and shoulder pain. I wanted to find a way to manage and prevent this in a holistic way and so took up Pilates and Yoga.
After noticing an improvement in my physical self, I turned more to Yoga to bring balance and wellbeing to all areas of my life.
My Qualifications
I Have practiced yoga for many years and in 2018 gained my 200 hour Royal Yoga Alliance Teaching certificate. Further to this I recently qualified as a Kids Yoga teacher.
I am also a trained first aider with a Level 3 at work certificate.
My Training
I mostly practice Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Flow. Hatha is a great style of yoga to really get to know the physical postures and your own body, and how they can work together.
I look forward to helping people find this balance in their lives.