I started teaching fitness in 1990, delivering my very first aerobics class at Goole Leisure Centre. I can still remember the nerves, the excitement, and that incredible buzz of leading a room full of people moving to music. Back then, I had no idea just how much the world of fitness would change—or how much it would shape my life.
Before My Time
Long before I stepped into an instructor role, fitness looked very different.
Gyms weren’t on every corner, and home workout equipment was rare. Fitness was often seen as something for athletes or the military rather than something everyone should prioritise. There was no social media, no online classes—just movement in its most basic form.
My Early Influence: Vintage Fitness at Home
My own introduction to fitness came from home. I have such fond memories of my mum and me exercising together in our living room. We’d follow along to exercise LPs, using a workout poster for guidance.
We’d put records on the player and join in with Keep Fit sessions led by Felicity Kendal, Lottie Berk, Green Goddess, Peter Powell, and later Rosemary Conley. It felt fun, simple, and—looking back—quite pioneering in its own way.
We even had a pulley system that hooked over the door. Thinking about it now, I can’t help but smile… was that the first version of today’s reformer?!
The VHS tapes came out and I absolutely loved Darryl Preston’s Step classes and later Australian Aerobics on Sky.
Those early experiences planted a seed in me. Fitness wasn’t just about exercise—it was about connection, routine, and feeling good.
My Beginning: Aerobics in 1990
By 1990, aerobics was huge—and that’s where my journey truly began. Teaching at Goole Leisure Centre, classes were packed, energy was high, and music drove everything we did.
There were no fancy trackers or digital playlists back then. Just a box of vinyl records (that often jumped), a room full of people, and a shared motivation to move.
It was raw, real, and incredibly rewarding.
Fitness Today: A Whole New World
Fast forward to now, and fitness has evolved beyond anything I could have imagined when I first started.
Today, we have endless options—HIIT, yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, spin, strength training, and virtual classes you can join from your living room. Gyms are filled with advanced equipment, and wearable tech tracks everything from heart rate to sleep patterns.
Fitness is no longer a niche interest—it’s part of mainstream culture. There’s greater awareness of both physical and mental wellbeing, and more people than ever are embracing movement as part of their daily lives. This makes me so happy.
Looking Back—and Moving Forward
When I reflect on this journey—from LP workouts with my mum, to teaching my first aerobics class, to the modern fitness world we live in now—I feel incredibly grateful.
Fitness has changed, yes. But at its heart, it’s still about the same thing: helping people feel stronger, healthier, and more confident in themselves.
And for me, that’s what has always mattered most.
Let’s Share Our Stories
I’d love to hear about your journey. How has fitness changed for you over the years?
Drop a comment below or share your story on social media using your favourite platform—let’s inspire each other to keep moving, no matter where we started.
