Personal training · Reading town centre
Personal trainer in Reading
One to one coaching at Apex, next to Reading station. One coach, a plan written for you, and your numbers checked every four weeks.
- Personal trainer in Reading
- One to one
- Next to Reading station
- 6am to 8pm
- InBody every four weeks
- 4.9 on Google
Unleashed Performance offers one to one personal training in Reading at Apex Plaza on Forbury Road, two minutes from the mainline station. You get one coach for the whole session, a plan written for you, and a coach who is watching every rep.
Your first session
Your first session is an assessment. We go through your training history, any injuries and what you want to achieve, and you have an InBody scan so your plan starts from real numbers. Your coach then writes a block of training, usually eight weeks, and changes it as you progress. Between sessions your coach stays in touch on WhatsApp.
Session times
Sessions run from 6am to 8pm on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. Most of our personal training clients train before work, at lunchtime from the offices around Forbury Road, or on the way home from the station. Some train with a coach three times a week, some once a fortnight alongside the group sessions.
Who personal training suits
Personal training suits people who have never lifted and want to learn properly, people coming back after time off or an injury, and people who have trained for years and stopped making progress. Ishani, who joined in October 2026, wrote that James "takes the time to explain exercises" and was "incredibly patient, knowledgeable, supportive and motivating".
What people come in for
- Learning to lift properly from scratch
- Coming back after an injury or a long break
- Strength that has stalled on your own
- Training for a hike, a race or a Hyrox
- Fitting training around shifts or travel
- Adding one to one sessions to a group membership
Availability and cost
Message James on WhatsApp and he will send you the personal training options and which coaches have hours that suit you.
- Assessment and InBody scan in your first session
- A written block of training, updated every eight weeks
- Your coach on WhatsApp between sessions
- Coached group sessions can be added
How to start
How to get started.
A look round and a chat with James. Twenty minutes, no session, no pressure.
- 01
Book a free intro
Twenty minutes at Apex with James. A look round the gym, a chat about what you want to achieve, and a straight answer on which programme suits you. There is no workout and no hard sell.
- 02
Start with OnRamp
Four one to one sessions with a coach before you join a group. You learn the main lifts properly and we get to know your history and your goals.
- 03
Train with your coach and your team
Then you pick from nine coached sessions a day. Your InBody is checked every four weeks and your programme changes every eight.
- Shen D.October 2026
Unleashed Performance at Reading is the best gym experience I've had in my life. I'm 49 and have been training almost all of it, so that's not said lightly. Tanya and James are brilliant. They encourage you, keep you accountable and help you finish what you start.
- Ishani GargOctober 2026
As someone who was completely new to the gym and had little idea where to start, the friendly, welcoming and supportive atmosphere made it so much easier to settle in. My personal training sessions with James have been incredibly patient, knowledgeable, supportive and motivating.
- Ewa SluzalekSeptember 2026
By far the best gym experience I have ever had! As someone who has always felt quite intimidated by regular gyms and overwhelmed by all the machines, I was looking for somewhere with more guidance and support. Unleashed Performance is exactly that and honestly so much more.
- Yasmeen RahmanAugust 2026
I came to Unleashed Performance as a complete beginner to strength training and quite honestly a little intimidated where to start. I started out pre diabetic with various red flags. My doc has given me a clean bill of health. UP Team played a huge part in that!
- Wilma SNovember 2025
I lived next to this gym for a year before signing up, as I was hesitant about nicer gyms feeling too intense and me sticking out like a sore thumb as a complete beginner. Now I can't imagine not being a member anymore, the value you get for your money is immense.
- Nishanth ReddyAugust 2026
The workout programme changes every 8 weeks, keeping things fresh and challenging. Great mix of strength, HIIT, hybrid, endurance and yoga, with training that helps you improve both strength and stamina, whether for Hyrox, a marathon, or your own fitness goals.
- James BroomfieldAugust 2026
I've been going now for 18 months, a record length of time I've stayed at a gym. This is as a result of the excellent training, great facilities and warm and friendly trainers. The gym also runs frequent social activities which are welcomed as well.
- Lee MurraySeptember 2025
The extra bonus for me are the additional walking and trekking trips which Unleashed organise. Combining gym work with these outdoor activities provides me with a lifestyle experience I haven't been able to find before.
- Garry HigleyAugust 2026
The coached only group classes push you to work hard while making sure your technique stays on point. Since joining, I've made real progress and genuinely feel stronger, fitter, and more confident.
- Hernan PereyraAugust 2025
I really enjoy the group exercise sessions because it feels like having a personal trainer with you. The coaches also check in with you regularly about your progress and goals, which is really encouraging.
Copied from Google. Leave a review
Questions
Questions about personal training
How much does a personal trainer cost in Reading?
Personal trainers in Reading charge between about £35 and £90 an hour. Message us on WhatsApp and James will send you our options the same day. The free intro and your first assessment are included.
How often should I train with a PT?
Most clients do one or two personal training sessions a week and use the coached group sessions for the rest. If you are learning the lifts from scratch, two a week for the first month works best.
Can I do personal training without a membership?
Yes. Personal training can be booked on its own. A lot of people add the group membership later.
Who will my coach be?
James takes a lot of the personal training himself. At your intro we match you with the coach whose hours and style suit you.
Is there parking near the gym?
Queens Road car park and the station car parks are both a short walk away. Most clients walk from the station or the offices around Forbury Road.
Find us
Apex Plaza, Forbury Road, two minutes from the station.
- Apex Plaza, Forbury Road
Reading RG1 1AX - Coached sessions 6am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday mornings
James Parker, owner
If you have been putting this off, come and have a look.
Twenty minutes at Apex. I will show you round, ask what you want to achieve, and tell you honestly which programme suits you. There is no workout and no hard sell. If you want to ask something first, message me on WhatsApp.
A look round and a chat with James. Twenty minutes, no session, no pressure.
Or ask on WhatsApp
James reads every message. You will hear back the same day, usually within the hour during sessions.
Or leave your details
Tell us what you are thinking about and James will message you back to book your intro.