About Jan Tabaka – Bristol personal trainer

Hi, I’m Jan

I’m more than a personal trainer with a certificate: I’m a sports scientist, health professional, athlete, acroyoga and bachata teacher and Thai yoga masseur with a deep passion for health and fitness. I teach what I preach, and when I’m not training clients I’m studying the latest research and testing workouts on myself.

Over the years I’ve delivered more than 10,000 hours of training with clients. My clients have ranged from Alana, who lost five stone in under six months, to professional footballers improving their strength and conditioning, to Greg, who won the NAC Bodybuilding Championships in the UK.

Qualifications

• BSc in Sports and Exercise Science
• Level 3 Personal Trainer and Level 2 Gym Instructor, accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
• Four years of nutrition and sports nutrition study, plus two years of the Precision Nutrition course
• Certified Thai yoga masseur

Experience

I competed in cycling at national level, including the British Cross Country Championships in two consecutive years, and later coached other athletes. I’ve worked in several fitness clubs and spent almost a year as a rehab trainer at a Clifton chiropractic clinic, which sharpened my focus on posture, biomechanics and pain-free movement.

My philosophy

One size doesn’t fit all. Training and nutrition only work for everyone when they’re individualised, because people have different strengths, weaknesses and responses to exercise and diet. I learn from coaches, athletes and health practitioners in many disciplines and combine the best-proven methods for each client.

Good movement starts with good posture and alignment, so I put a lot of focus on technique, correcting muscular imbalances and injury prevention. I also believe in sustainable, well-balanced nutrition, and in coaching habits and mindset so your progress lasts after our sessions end.

Outside the gym, I founded Bristol Bachata in 2018, now one of the UK’s biggest bachata schools, featured on BBC One and BBC Four. I also teach acro yoga and offer Thai yoga massage.