Richard Mann talks to strength and conditioning coach Andy Coulson about working with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and boxing sensation Josh Kelly.
The coronavirus pandemic has already left an indelible mark on sports industries across the globe. For Andy Coulson - founder of Unit 29 Fitness - and his clients, who range from Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to everyday working men and women across the north east, it has been a crunching body blow that is likely to sting for many months to come.
Since taking the plunge and setting up his own gym in 2014, Coulson has enjoyed remarkable success in a relatively short space of time, not only with his local clients who he describes as ‘his life’, but also with international athletes such as Pickford and highly-regarded boxer Josh Kelly, and it is no surprise that noteworthy recognition has followed.
In 2018, Unit 29 Fitness made the shortlist for the National Fitness Awards and a year later Coulson was picking up the award for Functional Training Gym of the Year. By the time 2020 had rolled around, Coulson's notorious ‘Strong B******s’ class had featured in Men’s Health magazine, earning first prize in the UK’s Best Fitness Classes category.
When the coronavirus outbreak struck, however, Coulson, like so many across his and other trades, was forced to close by Prime Minister Boris Johnson - with no firm timetable given as to when he and his clients can get back to work.
“It’s been a massive blow for the industry in general and for me personally," he told Sporting Life.
“My gym, my clients and my members are my life. Every penny I’ve had has gone into the business, building it up from scratch, so to suddenly not be able to go out to work is a huge blow.
“More than that, though, I worry for my members. For many of them, the gym is their chance to get away from the stresses of daily life for an hour or so and have some time to themselves inbetween work and looking after families.
“It’s their happy place and I worry that now that has been taken away from them, it could really affect people. It’s not just about my members in the north east, either - it could have mental health consequences across the country and we need to be aware of this."
Everyone has been forced to adapt. For some, that means taking on a second profession as home tutor; for others, that means finding new ways to communicate with clients, just as they've had to with friends and family. Coulson is no different.
He went on: “One of the things I’ve been really keen to do is keep in touch with my members, check in with them and make sure they are keeping active both physically and mentally while government restrictions are in place.
“I’ve made fitness programmes for my members to use at home, should they want them, and via my social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram, I’m putting out daily routines for anyone who wants to follow them, whether they are a member at Unit 29 Fitness or not.
“Its vital people stay active through this and my workouts are tailored for people with no equipment who are just looking for a really good workout in their garden or living room.
“Hopefully it will help people to train in different ways from what that they are maybe used to as well, picking up things they can transfer back to their normal routines once the situation improves.
“Social distancing doesn’t mean staying locked inside the house all day and if this helps people stay active and have some fun then I’ll be pleased.”
Fun wouldn’t always be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about hitting the gym but for Coulson, coaching has always been a passion and the wealth of knowledge he has developed from mentoring with world-class strength and conditioning coaches such as Phil Daru, Joe DeFranco and the late Charles Poliquin has served him well.
It's that level of knowledge that persuaded England stopper Pickford to first seek out Coulson when the former was trying to make his way at Sunderland early in his career and the results the pair have achieved since are something both can be proud of.
“Jordan really is a top lad; he’s just a normal lad from a normal family who remains so grounded to this day,” said Coulson.
“He started training with me not long after I opened the gym in 2014 and has been a friend of the place ever since.
“You could immediately sense that desire in him to improve, to keep getting better and develop his skills. He was so hungry and has worked so hard for everything he’s achieved.
“Back when he was starting out with Sunderland, in pre-season, he’d train with me in the morning, go off playing tennis and five-a-side football with his mates and then he’d back in the gym at night.
“Even now that he’s down in Liverpool with Everton, we try and work together when his schedule allows, particularly in pre-season when you can make some giant strides if the individual wants to put in the work.
“That has always been the case with Jordan. He was always on a mission to improve, and the things in his game that make him so good: his power, his agility, how quick he is off the line, those are skills he’s worked really hard on in the gym.
“He’s not the biggest keeper around, he was never going to be a Peter Schmeichel, but he’s got some brilliant attributes and it’s those things we looked to make better.
“We focused on his strengths, working tirelessly on making him the best he could be, and you're seeing the results now.
“We’d set up scenarios where he was on the floor and he’d have to power himself up and be ready for the second phase. He’s strong now and he’s quick.
“His reactions and agility are unbelievable and that is down to the work he has put in. All credit to him."
And so, when Pickford became a national hero in the summer of 2018, his brilliant penalty save against Colombia helping England secure their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Russia, the hours of hard work at Unit 29 Fitness had been rewarded on the biggest stage of all.
Only moments later, Pickford was addressing the media on the pitch and it was noticeable that he opened with, ‘I’ve got power and agility, I don’t care if I’m not the biggest keeper.’
A lesson to us all perhaps: that strength will always overcome weakness and that hard work will be rewarded.
“It was unbelievable, a night I’ll never forget. The emotion caught me off guard but it was unreal,” reflected Coulson.
“That summer the whole country was behind the team, behind Jordan, and to feel like you played some sort of part in his development and him getting to where he is now, it’s a special feeling.
“To see him at the World Cup, representing England and performing like he did, I’m very proud of him.”
Andy Coulson's five tips to cope with social distancing
- Stay active - exercise for an hour a day in the form of a walk, run, cycle or home workout
- Stay hydrated - drinks lots of water throughout the day
- Eat healthy - pack your diet full of nutrient dense foods such as fruit and vegetables to boost immune system
- Sleep - try to get at least eight hours sleep per night
- Remain positive - not always easy in the current climate but we will get through this
Pickford is not the only high-profile name to walk through the Unit 29 Fitness doors in Washington, with Olympic boxer Kelly, Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Lars Bleijenberg and a number of exciting north east Bellator fighters also leaning on Coulson for guidance.
He explained: “I trained Josh before he went to the Olympics in 2016. He’s in London now with legendary boxing trainer Adam Booth but it’s great to see him when he’s back up north.
“He drops back in from time to time and does some of our classes. He’s another real hard worker and is making real waves now.”
For many households across Britain and further afield, the word ‘lockdown’ had been met with dread, particularly for those for whom exercise is a constant in their lives, but what about for professional athletes who know of nothing else? Is it feasible to expect Premier League footballers to spend weeks on end locked in their homes and then hope to resume competitive action at short notice?
“It’s not ideal but this is the situation we’re in. Everybody is in the same boat and those individuals who keep working hard, eating well and putting the work in when they can, they will be better prepared for when sport does resume," Coulson added.
“Football clubs, in particular, will have individual plans made up for their players and many will have been given fitness trackers so club coaches can have access to their data and make sure the work is getting put in away from the club.
“I have Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Lars Bleijenberg on my books and he’s doing my workouts from home. He’s lucky in that he’s got his own gym at home and I’m sure lots of other players will have something similar.
“It’s just up to the individual now to make sure they are doing enough when they don't have their coaches breathing down their necks.
“It’s the same for us all, though, and although a bit of down time might be welcome in the short term, we must try to stay active, and above all else, stay positive.”