At the recommendation of a friend, I decided to engage Matthew Pinkston as my trainer. I had only one simple goal in mind: I wanted to enlist his help to sharpen my competitive edge as a club member of a dragon boat team to which I belong. Having picked up the sport only late in my life, I relished in the prospect of achieving my goal quick – occasionally, this had already been much to the detriment of my physical well-being. When I started training, my impatience proved counter-productive; quickly enough, it became evident that I hadn’t the good sense of what good and effective physical training is in order to achieve lasting results. As soon as I began training with Matthew, it became clear too that despite my previous quick athletic progress, I had actually failed to blend my sporting lifestyle with the reality and load of my personal and working life. My hurried agenda began to take a physical toll on me. As a result, I was quite ready to give up as my body gave in to intense fatigue and injuries. It was exhaustingly frustrating. I lost focus and interest. But, through Functional Training and his rehabilitative help, Matthew firmly got me staying on course, albeit patiently and safely with proper training techniques.

Matthew leveraged on his keen understanding of fitness and the ‘load’ that I bore to design a training programme that works for me. He adopted a holistic approach to training, making sure that the routines he designed for me helped me regain my physical strength and fitness level in a systematic manner. The sound training methods he employed proved effective. But more than just that, he taught me the importance of working respectfully with my body – and not in spite of my body – to attain long-lasting results. Matthew complements the innovative training methods that are both rigorous and challenging with many tips and advice that he gives generously. The results? I apply proper and safe technique more conscientiously, I train with consistence and pace myself realistically to ensure lasting results, I manage to increase my core strength and stability and develop the strength of minor muscle groups to improve the overall physical endurance and strength. This regained my confidence and renewed my zest for demanding physical work out. All this, I achieved while experiencing very strenuous work schedule as a school teacher.

I am most thankful for Matthew’s dogged faith and persistent prodding which have served me well. Matthew’s genuine interest in my personal well-being as a person has helped me maintain my steely gaze on my goals. There’s no room for you to give up on yourself with Matthew because he simply won’t do that for you.

Now, I train with greater enjoyment, focus and grit although training has intensified greatly. The fact that I can now continue to chart my progress without further causing injuries to my body is a clear reflection of the value of functional training. I am feeling better about myself than I had and I am still looking forward to striving new peaks of excellence – steadily, systematically and effectively.

Well, thank you Matthew Pinkston for the journey that had helped me gained and regained so much.

I have been very overweight since young and losing the extra pounds was casually mentioned. Due to lack of determination and discipline, it was extremely difficult to cut down on food or do simple exercises. I had tried personal training in various gyms but did not yield any results. My parents, who are also training in FTI, encouraged me to try it out as they saw considerable results for themselves.

The beginning of training was never easy. However, I got the hang of it quickly as Matthew is very motivating; his favourite phrase is: ‘it’s all in the mind’. It is undoubtedly effective and is already etched in my mind (does not only apply to exercise). He constantly challenges me to go beyond my limits, allowing me to believe in myself and in what I can achieve. With his vast knowledge and skills in personal training, he is able to tailor programmes according to my needs, from weight loss to muscle gain and even when I was suffering from knee inflammation. He is very well-informed and is ever ready to answer whatever questions I have with regards to health and eating. Besides exercising, he also taught me that it is actually very simple to eat right; this played an important role in my significant weight loss.

I have been training for around 4 months at FTI and have lost almost 20kg. I definitely feel a lot fitter and have a lot more confidence now. I now understand my strengths and weaknesses which will aid me in reaching my desired weight properly without injuring myself. People around me have also recognized the effectiveness of the training. I am very proud to have Matthew as my trainer and most of the credit should go to him.

I always look forward to training with Matthew as no two sessions are the same and I get to try out new exercises which are interesting and doable. I enjoy going to FTI as everyone there is professional, warm, sincere and friendly. I strongly recommend FTI to my friends if they want to achieve amazing results like me.

I was a runner and triathlete struggling for motivation. I had stopped training for almost a year. I first contacted Matthew on the recommendation of a friend to try and get out of my rut and back into training. I am very glad that I did. From the first time I met Matthew I could tell he knew what he was talking about when it came to training busy people for endurance sport. We set my sights on the Singapore Marathon at the end of the year and started training.

Matthew's style is to push you with his good humour and encouraging words rather than yelling and screaming. I enjoyed this approach from the start and the results started to show. It wasn't long before he invited me to join his small group of like-minded runners and triathletes.

Amazingly, Matthew had us training far less than I expected for a marathon and there was never any stress if my work and other commitments got in the way of training. He has this way of reassuring you that consistency is more important than any one session.

I made it to the start line injury free and I finished the race in a time that was pretty good for a first timer. Most importantly, I am motivated to keep training with Matthew and set my sights on the next marathon!

When my friends, associates, and colleagues hear about the events that I’m participating in, I often hear, “oh, I would love to do that but”... “my back” or “my hip” or “my ankle,” or especially, “my knees” won’t allow me to do that. I used to say the same thing. Off and on over the past 20 years I’ve tried many times to participate in long distance races, particularly triathlons. But, no matter what I tried I was never able to go long distances without knee problems. I tried everything. I saw many different types of doctors and physical therapists and got different opinions on what to do. Some doctors even advised me to give up and find another hobby. I also spent a lot of money on random medicines and other tricks to get back into running shape. My wife was also giving me a hard time for experimenting with so many random remedies and seeing so many specialists.

I’ve had a long-term goal to complete and Ironman Triathlon but I didn’t think I’d ever be able to run a full marathon because of my knee problems. Last year I set a goal to run a marathon. I knew that if I could complete a marathon I’d be on my way to completing an Ironman Triathlon. I wasn’t sure how I’d do it but a guy at a running store told me, “if Matthew Pinkston can’t fix your problem, then nobody can.” So, I gave Matthew Pinkston a call and began training with him at FTI. Since that day, I haven’t seen a doctor, a physical therapist, massage therapist, or any other specialist for that matter.

Matthew taught me immediately tricks to correcting my problems and I began running and cycling pain free! He also gave me the right training programs for my body and my goals. Five months later I completed my first marathon in 3:58. A few months after that I completed three more triathlons including a Half Ironman Distance race where I finished 3rd place in my age group. I’m on my way to completing my first Ironman Triathlon in March of 2013 and I’ll continue to work with Matthew until I reach my goal. Up to this point, everything he has taught me turned out to be right for me and my body. And, better yet, even my wife believes me and she’s also training with Matthew!

When age catches up with Demi Moore, she gets a $200,000 cosmetic surgery (and a virile young man thrown in). For the rest of us people, we either learn to live with the aches and pains or find real help. For the longest time, I scoffed at the idea of joining a gym because gyms, in my mind, were for vain, image-conscious people who try to outdo each other in their latest spandex and the toniest body – and of course, why pay money for what you can do for free. But my idea of gym has since changed when I signed up for training with Matthew in 2007.

Growing up active in all kinds of sports, I used to think myself invincible. But to cope with the changes to my body in the last number of years, my mantra has been: “lao liao, pai liao” (hokkien for everything starts to breakdown with age). Plagued by lethargy, weight issues and pain, I felt fed-up and decided to I needed real help. Matthew has had to deal with all my complaints from knee pain to frozen shoulder. Each one was addressed with specific and particular exercise or treatment to resolve, not just to alleviate, the pain.

What I appreciate most is Matthew’s commitment to give personal and professional care and advice to meet and suit the needs and temperament of his clients. He does not make me feel like I need to meet someone else’s standard of body beautiful. And at FTI, being what it is set up to do, I don’t feel I need to prove anything to anyone but myself.

Friends and relatives kept warning me about the damage running can do to my body, especially my knees, whenever I let slip that I was having some pains after a run. My concerned husband would discreetly leave articles about “damaged runners” and the “evils of running” lying around for my attention.

I have been running for around 4 years ever since I discovered the joy of community running, especially overseas. After progressing from 5km to 10km to 15km and to 21km, I thought for about 2 years of running a full marathon. However, partly because of the various body pains, I procrastinated, but finally signed up for a full marathon in Shanghai this year. I presumed I could just train on my own by increasing the mileage. I was not concerned about timing and just wanted to be able to finish the run. However, I found out to my horror I just couldn’t run more than 25km. I was suffering from knee and ankle pains and severe headaches after each run. 8 weeks before the marathon, I was considering giving up the race when 2 friends who are training under Matthew recommended him. I had to leave for a Hokkaido holiday planned sometime ago, and that left around 4 weeks before the marathon to seriously train with Matthew.

I was a little concerned initially since I am not the kind of “elite runners” that usually trained with him. However, the first thing that struck me during training was Matthew’s attention to details. It was mind-boggling! He watched and observed (like a hawk) to trace the problems you are having and tried to solve them for you. I know I have issues with my posture and running gait, which are causing the headaches. I have seen sports doctors and physiotherapists who were able to identify the problem but were unable to help me correct them. Matthew painstakingly made me go through various exercises repeatedly until I finally understand what he was driving at and use the correct muscles.

Matthew’s attention to details was not limited to during training. He guided and taught me what to use, to eat and drink before, during and after runs, how fast to run, when to run and when to rest. This was what I (and I suspect all first time marathoners) needed very much. I have never prepared for long distance races and never bothered to read up on what is required. I followed Matthew’s instructions as closely as I could, my knee and ankle pains have completely stopped, the severe headaches have been reduced to mild and sporadic headaches, which we are still working on. The support that Matthew provides extends way beyond the call of duty. He checks on my progress and responds to my questions, concerns, quirks at any time of the day (and night). When I found out the day before the marathon that there was cut-off time at various distances (to ease the Shanghai traffic) e.g. 10km, 20km, 30km, I panicked because my 30km timing was very close to the cut-off time. Matthew reassured me repeatedly and calmly instructed me to run at certain pace for certain distance to beat the cut-off time. I focus on his instructions, stopped the panic, and of course I finished the race before the cut-off time: 5:42:19.

In fact, I believe I came in 1st for Singapore Women (since I was the only one ). What is more critical was that I felt great physically after the race, and would have been able to run another 10km the next day.

My next target is an Olympic Distance Triathlon in May 2013. I am leaving everything to Matthew and have full confidence that he will bring me through to the end.

For the last 10 years I can’t remember a day go by without experiencing some aches and pains. I was feeling tired and my body was aching in various places, varying day to day, but especially so in the morning. The main problem areas were my hips, pelvis and back. At first I thought it was just tiredness from looking after my 3 young children, then I realised it might have to do with the 3 C-sections I had.

I love playing hockey and tennis, running and swimming, but due to all the physical problems I lost confidence in my physical abilities. I started worrying that I might get a serious injury or illness. Every little pain in my body started to make me very worried. I’ve seen physiotherapists, personal trainers and chiropractors. I’ve done acupuncture and sports massage every week. Nothing seemed to work.

One day I phoned my gynaecologist, Dr Christine Yap, to ask her what she could recommend. She told me to see Matthew Pinkston, a personal trainer. At first I thought: “Oh no! Not another trainer”. I want a solution, right now! However, since I had no other option, I thought to give it a try. I was training for a half marathon in Beijing so I felt that it was better to prepare with someone who is experienced. So I went to Matthew. He checked my whole body and told me what he thought what my problems were and assured me he could fix it. But I had to be patient! I was still worried that I had something more serious than just a rotated hip so I went to a sports doctor to check and be sure that I did not have any serious injuries or illnesses. He confirmed Matthew’s findings. Nothing serious at all!

During rehabilitation, I felt very assured of the fact that I was in good hands. Matthew seems to know so much about the human body and soul that gave me the courage to through some pain again, knowing now that it’s “OK”. He taught me a lot about my body. Part of being able to accept some discomfort is to understand where it’s coming from. Matthew taught me how the whole physical system works, which gave me the patience I needed to be able to forge ahead. My body did not seem to recover as fast as I wanted at first. I ran the half marathon in Beijing and took some rest. Then we started on the training again, and after a few sessions the majority of the injuries seemed to have disappeared. Some old discomforts did come back, but after a few more sessions they were mostly gone. Matthew seems to slowly peel off each layer of discomfort and pain that I was experiencing; going deeper into older problems till nothing is left.

I have been training for 7 months, and thanks to Matthew not only did my chronic pain go away but I also feel so much fitter and more confident. I have played 2 hockey matches again and I have hardly had any pain apart from some normal muscle ache. I have picked up running again and while running down slope used to give me issues, now my hips and pelvic area feels strong and steady. I changed my diet into a low carbohydrate one which I think definitely increases my energy level during the day.

It still amazes me to think daily now: “Hey, I don’t feel any pain today!” I strongly recommend everyone I know to IMS. I truly feel they know exactly what they are doing. It’s not about the quantity but the quality!

For the past 5 years, I have been suffering from body aches and pains, especially on my legs. Pain has become so familiar and usual that I can barely remember a morning during which I do not experience any pain on my legs when I wake up.

The pain seems to worsen after I turned 30 years old. Knowing very well that it is not normal for me to be experiencing pain all day long, I looked up on the internet for help and had tried many ways to find the remedy. I had seen specialists, taken countless X-rays and blood tests and had had eaten painkillers almost every other day. I was also referred to attend physiotherapy sessions at the Hospital. The physiotherapy sessions were good as they taught me how to better manage the pain. However, as soon as improvement was seen, I was discharged. It could be due to the surmounting stress at work and/or lack of exercise, the pain on my legs came back.

I moved on to see TCM and did acupuncture which was a real torture for one who has a phobia for needles. Little improvement was seen though.

I had also invested much money on hiring a personal trainer with a renowned gym studio. Though I mentioned very thoroughly to the trainer my condition, nothing much was done to better it. I can still remember the days when I had to force myself to do the painful exercises even though my legs hurt a lot. The exercises with the Personal Trainer did not help, to be honest.

Tired of all the futile attempts I had sought so far, I didn’t hold much expectation when I attended the first session with May the trainer.

May has been a very patient trainer. She never doubts my pain whenever I tell her the aches. She would even get me to better describe where the pain was and assured me that it is normal for me to experience the pain (due to poor posture, or over-use of certain muscles). On sessions when I was not in my “tip-top” condition for training, May would first massage the painful muscles to relief some pain before we moved on to doing the exercises. She would take efforts to explain to me why I was experiencing the pain and often peppered her explanation with some physio-knowledge. Once we were done with that, she would get me to do exercises that focus on strengthening the weaker muscles. In fact, on the first lesson, I learnt quite a bit of pain-relieving exercises that totally work on me!

I have attended 8 sessions with May so far. As said, I had not held much expectation on the program. The “turning point” came after the 7th session when I began to notice that I had not experienced any pain on my legs for a week!! The feeling was truly liberating!!!! To be honest, I had long forgotten how it felt to have ache-less limbs!! It was such an indescribable feeling mixed with both joy and disbelief!!

The exercises May made me go through worked. The discipline (okay, I have to admit that I did not do the “the homework” every day) that went behind it paid off. I think above all these, what really impressed me is the commitment my trainer has to ensure that the money I spend is worthwhile and that I am regaining more confidence in how my body should be functioning. I am still afraid of doing squats because of the pain the exercise induces. It may be both a psychological and physical pain. But now with the promised results seen soon after 7 sessions, I am really looking forward to attending the training sessions with May and seeing more positive progress on my body condition.

Thank you so much for working with my wife Caroline between June and August 2015. Caroline is a stroke survivor who has made huge strides in regaining her mobility here in the U.K. since her stroke. She left the hospital in a wheelchair in 2005 with almost total left side paralysis. We have been working with a personal trainer and sports injury specialist to help regain mobility and balance for the last seven years. Sadly, the 14-hour flight took it's toll on her and she arrived in Singapore on 17th June in a regressed and poor condition, struggling to balance. She was walking in a very unstable and poor fashion. Our son and daughter-in-law recommended that Caroline see you. We came initially for a 1-hour session admittedly very skeptical about how much we could expect to achieve in the time we were there.

However, it became very clear that Matthew and May were committed to seeing improvement in Caroline's posture and walking. With a combination of very astute analysis, manipulation to release locked muscles, exercises and encouragement, they achieved remarkable results in the first session. We decided to book additional sessions while we were in Singapore (9 in all) and over the 8-week period we saw a huge improvement in Caroline's walking before returning to the UK. Her posture even after the long return flight is much better than it has been since the stroke and she has so much more mobility than before. We can't thank you enough for the work you have both done. We will be visiting again next time we come to Singapore.