Testimonials

Robin Oakley is a Registered Exercise Professional

I knew from my son’s kayaking training how enthusiastic a coach Robin is, and I was delighted when I was able to join his Nordic Walking group. Sitting at my desk all day can sometimes cause stiffness in my shoulders, it is wonderful to be able to loosen up and exercise in the open air and beautiful surroundings. Robin manages to convey his enthusiasm for fitness and exercise to the group with good humour and without turning into a “drill sergeant”.
Philippa Mulberry 2011

Nordic walking classes with Robin = fun + fitness + fresh air. Had a fab time - Thankyou! :))
Gill (Berkhamsted)

Paddling on Robin's course was the highlight of our sons week and for us, his parents, it was great to see him having so much fun in a safe and supportive environment. Robin's enthusiasm rubs off on everyone and he has a genuine interest in sharing his love of adventure with others of all ages and abilities.
Louise Wiltshire 2011

I was put In touch with Robin by Sportspace Berkhamsted as I was looking for exciting activities for the people with learning disabilities that I work with. As a result, we had two very enjoyable sessions of rafting on the Grand Union Canal this summer. Robin made the sessions fun and enjoyable for all, and even though several of them got rather wet, they all had a great time. We look forward to working with Robin again when the weather warms up!
Elaine Precious, Dacorum Mencap 2011

I first got in contact with Robin following a significant ankle injury earlier this year. I was so impressed by the way he genuinely cared about my recovery, and also by how generous he is with his time. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious and he was a great source of encouragement and inspiration to me, especially in the early days following my accident when I felt a bit despondent.
Robin recognises that everyone is different, and he intuitively knows which techniques work best for which people in order to motivate them into achieving their personal goals. He is realistic about people’s natural resistance towards rigid/boring exercise regimes and that spending hours working out in the gym isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (which is certainly the case for me!) He prefers a stealth approach to fitness which suits me perfectly, being very unfit and not having exercised for a number of years. Robin has a great sense of humour and makes the sessions a lot of fun. He’s always upbeat and positive and, as I said, a great motivator.
As well as my ankle injury, my weight was also an area of concern for me, so Robin devised an exercise plan that specifically targets the areas of my body in need of attention, which I can do at home inbetween sessions. Because of this personal approach, my attitude towards the exercise routine is much more positive, knowing that it has been tailored specifically for me and my individual needs.
Robin has played a huge part in my recovery from my ankle injury and in my climb back onto the road towards personal fitness and weight loss, and I am extremely grateful to him for all the time and effort he’s put in, which far exceeded my expectations. Robin is a genuinely nice, kind and caring person and the type who 'goes the extra mile'. He provides a top-notch service and I would have no hesitation in recommending his services to anyone.
Carol 2011

I started paddling this year with my 13 year old son under the guidance of Robin. My objectives being to enhance my overall fitness and use paddling to increase my core strength and endurance to support my other sporting activities. My son’s to support his intensive rugby activities and provide him with a focus and direction in a new discipline.
Robin, in his role of coach is engaging and knowledgeable with an aptitude for explaining some of the more complex manoeuvres, having honed his skills over a many years of his involvement in the sport. As a coach he uses a variety of methods and techniques to reinforce the subject; he demonstrates empathy and understanding and ensures that you learn not just the theory but more importantly the practice. He invests time to ensure that you understand where you may be going wrong and provides solutions in a great learning environment. He has taught me and my son using safe and controlled methods and has always ensured the safety of the groups that we have been with. Importantly Robin ensures that you enjoy what you do and that you as an individual are proud of your achievements.
Both my son and I will continue to enjoy paddling, having embarked on this new sport with the knowledge that Robin is there to support our training objectives and aspirations.
Martin Lowry 2011

Robin has delivered various water based sessions for our different groups (Harrow Mencap) over the last couple of years. Robin has facilitated a number of sessions for us and always seems to put a lot of effort into planning the sessions ensuring risks are well managed, this never seems to impinge on the enjoyment of those taking part which is great! Robin has a very good awareness and genuine empathy in regard to meeting the complex and very specific needs within our groups and seems equally as comfortable to work with both adults and young people. We will defiantly be asking Robin to deliver more sessions over the coming year!
Ross Hensman, Harrow Mencap 2011

I mainly ride bikes but approached Robin for cross training over the winter. He's been great with getting us trained but realises we just want fun. He's arranged his pool sessions so there's a lot of competition and fun but has done it to reinforce his coaching. So we've had great fun and as we look back we realise we've really learnt a lot. Good job Robin!
David Lote 2011

Returning to paddling after a long break, Robin's enthusiasm and knowledge has really helped me get back into the sport, updating my skills and pushing me just the right amount when I've needed it. Paddling with Robin is always a lot of fun and he is very generous with his knowledge and time - which is a great bonus.
Julian K 2011

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Robin Oakley member of the Fitness Industry Association

Robin Oakley trained with Fitness Industry Education