Breaking Through Plateaus: Josh Gidlow's Fitness Transformation Journey

We deliver amazing transformations
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Breaking Through Plateaus: Josh Gidlow's Fitness Transformation Journey

Amazing transformations
through sustainable methods

Results built to last

Josh Gidlow, a mechanical engineer, transformed his physique and strength by switching from generic training to a tailored approach that addressed his specific challenges. His story demonstrates how personalized programming can make all the difference for someone stuck at a fitness plateau.

The Engineering Challenge: Why Josh’s Previous Fitness Attempts Stalled

Josh Gidlow faced a common dilemma among busy professionals—despite consistent effort, his fitness progress had plateaued. Several key factors contributed to this stagnation:

  • His demanding career as a mechanical engineer limited time for fitness research
  • Generic training templates failed to account for his specific mobility limitations
  • A pre-existing back injury and poor ankle mobility created movement restrictions
  • Previous trainers and apps provided standardized programming without customization
  • Lack of consistent data tracking made progress difficult to measure and optimize

“As a mechanical engineer, my day job fully occupies my time,” Josh explains.

"I had hit a plateau and just needed some help reaching that next level."

The Solution: Data-Driven Personalized Training

Josh’s breakthrough began in August 2023 when he found a trainer who approached fitness with the same analytical precision he valued in engineering:

  1. Initial assessment focused on identifying specific limitations and goals
  2. Custom programming designed around his mobility challenges and back injury
  3. Foundational form work before progressive loading
  4. Strategic exercise selection to work around limitations
  5. Nutrition accountability extending beyond gym sessions
  6. Regular measurement protocols providing data-driven feedback

Measurable Results: The Transformation in Numbers

Josh’s methodical approach yielded impressive, quantifiable results:

  • Body fat percentage: Reduced from 18% to under 10%
  • Strength gains: Now lifting approximately twice his body weight in compound movements
  • Mobility improvements: Significant progress on previous limitations
  • Programming variety: More engaging and effective than previous gym experiences

The Transformation Strategy: Personalized Coaching and Accountability

Why It Worked: Engineering Success Through Personalization

The key differentiators in Josh’s successful approach mirror principles that work in engineering:

1. Problem Identification Before Solution

“They started off by listening and asking questions, which is not something every gym does,” Josh notes. This diagnostic approach identified the specific barriers preventing progress.

2. Custom-Designed Solutions

Rather than forcing Josh into a standard program, his trainer built a plan that accounted for his unique physical limitations and goals.

3. Measurement-Based Adjustments

Regular assessments provided objective feedback that informed programming modifications—similar to how data guides engineering decisions.

4. Progressive Loading Principles

Building gradually from a solid foundation of technique allowed Josh to safely progress despite previous injuries.

 

From Frustration to Transformation

Josh Gidlow’s journey demonstrates that fitness success often requires shifting from generic approaches to personalized systems built on assessment, data, and expert guidance. For busy professionals facing similar plateaus, Josh’s story highlights that the right training methodology can transform years of stagnation into substantial progress.

By applying the same analytical thinking to fitness that he uses in his engineering career, Josh broke through barriers that had previously seemed insurmountable—dropping his body fat to single digits and more than doubling his strength capacity.

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FAQ

  1. Other commercial gyms are focussed on session numbers and hitting sales targets and personal training is an afterthought product layered onto their gym membership model. Personal Training gyms are either exlcusively focussed on short term, unsustainable transformations or waste their clients time and energy with a rent a friend service.
  2. We do things a little differently. Our gyms are exclusive personal training facilities; all of our coaches work 1 on 1 with their clients. This allows for a remarkably efficient training experience, your entire training session will be tailored to maximise results based around your specific needs.
  3. Unlike other gyms we offer support, feedback and coaching outside of the gym.
  4. Other gyms only focus on training, and sometimes nutrition. We offer a complete service including lifestyle, diet and your non-gym activity.
  5. Other gyms treat their clients like the product, driving them towards photos shoots in a set time period. We place your needs above the needs of our marketing department. We care deeply about the sustainability of the changes that you make.

Every client’s plan of action will be unique. Your D.N.A. (Daily Routine, Nutrition and Activity) plan will be unique – this is not a generic, templated plan.

You will be assigned a dedicated coach. Your coach will take the time to understand you , your history, your goals and motivations to help you to build a customised plan and tailor the long term strategy accordingly.

Your coach will review your progress and measurements and provide clear feedback and advice, as well as act a a strategic advisor to help you make adjustments to your plan as you progress.

Everyone can achieve dramatic results and experience an amazing personal transformation. Your personal coach will tailor the starting level of intensity based around the initial consultation and assessment workout. This will ensure that you are always working towards the edge of your current capacity but not beyond it which would invite sloppy technique, loose form and potential injury. Some of our most dramatic transformations have come from clients who had little to no experience with training and nutrition prior to starting with ATP Personal Training. We’re there alongside you for the entire process and will ensure that you’re properly able to execute on our advice.

Our coaches will ensure that you are ramped up towards exercising intensely over the course of your first week or weeks with us. We take pride in applying the appropriate dose of exercise to match our clients’ existing capacity, there is no benefit to training far beyond your current capacity. In fact, this type of approach will actually be less efficient, place an enormous recovery cost on the body and potentially compromise your structural integrity.

We track bodyweight, body fat percentage and girth measurements to give us a wide array of progress markers.

For most clients as they start the transformation process Weight loss on the scale is a good indicator of progress and you can expect to lose between 0.5kg to 1.0 kg each week. During the early stages this number can be even higher as the body responds to the new program and becomes rapidly less inflamed.

*Results will vary from individual to individual
**Results are based on each client’s circumstances.

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