Ultra Fit UK

About Gareth

Gareth is the founder of Ultra Fit UK Ltd

Gareth joined the Army at the young age of 16yrs. After completion of his basic training he volunteered to serve with 29 Commando Regiment RA.

At just 18yrs old Gareth was awarded his coveted Green Beret, passing the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) first time, at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines CTCRM. The AACC is known to be one of the Army’s most physically demanding and arduous courses.

During his time with 3 Commando Brigade RM, he extensively travelled the world visiting over 53 countries and has trained in some of the most hostile environments on the planet. During his 15yrs service he has deployed on operations to Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq. Gareth specialised as a Regimental Jungle Warfare/Survival Instructor.

It was during this time Gareth started to understand more about the mind and the ability to use it to his advantage when put under extreme mental and physical pressure. The mind and body are wonderful things. Once you understand your own then you can push it to extreme limits and adapt a sense of mental focus to any situation life throws your way.

In 2005 Gareth became a Senior Instructor in the Army Physical Training Corps and qualified as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Class One. The highest PTI qualification a soldier can attain. Unlike the civilian 6 week PT course, only after passing a tough 9 week Military PTI course, and gaining a few years experience can a student then apply for PT Corps selection. If successful, students then progress onto a 30 week intensive training course to qualify entry into the PT Corps.

It was during this stage he qualified as a REPS Level 3 Advanced Personal Trainer gaining a wealth of experience and additional qualifications within the fitness industry.

After serving in the RAPTC as an Instructor at the Army School of Physical Training he moved back to 29 Commando Regiment RA for his last 2.5yrs taking on the responsibility of Chief Instructor on the Commando Training Team. He was responsible for design and delivery of a 6 week training programme, as well as co-ordinating physical training of up to 40 students per course teaching all aspects of field craft, military skills, physical fitness and rehabilitation in preparation for the AACC.

Whilst serving in the Army, Gareth was personal training in his spare time and also became the Lead Instructor for Plymouth’s British Military Fitness (BMF) launching into Central Park in 2007 successfully recruiting upward of 70 clients within 3 months.

After 15yrs service Gareth left the Army.

Since 2008 Gareth has been working in the private security industry as a Close Protection Officer in Helmand, Afghanistan.  Baghdad, Iraq, Libya, North Africa with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and more recently Kurdistan.

During this time he has been involved in developing training programmes for clients and colleagues as well as taking large group classes for the US military or personal training clients from the British Embassy in between his Close Protection Duties.

In between spending time with his gorgeous wife and 2 sons, Gareth can be found often visiting Snowdonia or Dartmoor as he is a keen rock climber and mountaineer.

Gareth was also involved in the press launch for Kiefer Sutherlands 24, Series 6, with Sky News, additionally to he also helped launch the release of Logans Shadow for Sony Playstation in Prague under the direction of Spy-Games.

Fitness Qualifications and training

Outdoor Pursuits and Adventure Training Qualifications

Testimonials

Belinda Kirk.

Expedition and logistics manager

Belinda skippered the epic 52 day row around Britain that has been described by Sir Richard Branson as ‘Quite the most remarkable achievement carried out by any woman alive today.

Here is what she had to say.

Having been stuck in a bit of a rut with the same training routine for years, Tic’s approach was fresh, varied and enjoyable. His enthusiasm is totally infectious. In particular, Boxercise was a bit of a revelation – all over fitness training that is fun! If you want to enjoy getting fit, I can’t recommend Tic highly enough.

Belinda Kirk, Guinness World Record Endurance Rower and Expedition Leader

Kelly Evans

Group Analyst, Iraq

‘I love to train but felt myself in a bit of a routine and started to struggle with motivation.  Gareth approached me and offered to train me out in Iraq to get me back into things and I haven’t looked back.  With limited facilities and equipment it was amazing to see how interesting and challenging he could make the sessions.  I have now completed my level 3 course in gym instruction thanks to the help and support from him.  Thank you! Kelly’.

Lena Davies

Plymouth

‘I approached Gareth with regards to personal training when I was finding it difficult not only to find the time but more importantly to motivate myself and find the balance of healthy eating and increasing my fitness levels. Gareth has a wealth of knowledge regarding both exercise and healthy eating and was very efficient in providing me with the information I needed to eat a balanced diet in line the exercise programme he had created to meet my personal needs.

I found the variation of exercise motivational and challenging enabling me to push myself to the goals I aspired to achieve. Through my training with Gareth I was able to run in the race for life and walk 13 miles for St Luke’s Hospice which before would have been unachievable. I would recommend Ultra Fit UK Ltd to anyone looking to achieve their optimum fitness levels with a first class trainer and coach, this is as good as it gets!’

Abbie Orton

Plymouth Rugby Club, Physio

About 6 years ago I decided I wanted to get back to being fit but after having an operation to my eye that went wrong and a further 5 operations I was not sure whether I would be able to do it again, so I joined BMF (British Military Fitness) I explained to Gareth the Park Instructor what my medical conditions were and he said give it a go and we will see how you get on.

So off we went I was very unfit and so started in the bottom group and with Gareth’s motivation and fun giving sessions we all progressed very quickly.  Ok at first I couldn’t walk after a session but this was just the first week!!  I carried on going to three sessions a week for about a year and never got bored of keeping fit as Gareth had so much energy and the sessions were never the same we also learnt a lot from him and never got any injuries as his knowledge of warming up and stretching was great!!  Through joining BMF and meeting Gareth and his team I have made the best friends and these are lifelong friends and also know love keeping fit.

It didn’t stop there as I was so encouraged by Gareth and motivated that when I decided that BMF wasn’t for me anymore (due to work commitments and Gareth taking a different line of work) I said to Gareth about some of the sporting Charity Events that I was interested in and he motivated me even when being thousands of miles away and helped me and a team of colleagues at work to get fit enough for the 10k Commando Challenge!!

Through meeting Gareth and going to his sessions he has given me that jest for keeping fit and healthy and he has such a very wide knowledge of how the body and mind work together through fitness that he is the best personal / group trainer I have ever met!!  I know that anyone that goes to one of his session will find it addictive and also will see results very quickly and make the best friends you can ever wish for.

He has motivated me when I was in the most unfit state and now I am taking on the whole Adventure Racing scene with his help and guidance!!

Penny Knight

I began fitness training with Gareth Tichopad at the first British Military Fitness session in Central Park on 9th May 2007.

Gareth organised, marketed and ran these sessions in a professional and dynamic style. With exceptional communication skills, he was instantly able to both inspire and motivate me to work to my full potential. I knew every session would be different, challenging and great fun. Gareth always varied the activities so that as I was flagging, he introduced something new and I was able to re-energise.

He used exercises which worked us in pairs to allow for some rest time whilst we supported each other and Gareth generated a much needed camaraderie encouraging a genuinely supportive team spirit. I never felt self-conscious about my abilities and Gareth had a uniquely personable manner which put everyone at ease. I always felt I had worked hard but never suffered an injury demonstrating an excellent knowledge of my individual ability.

These sessions have motivated me into continuing regular fitness training and I have since joined Gareth’s Boxercise and circuit training classes. These were set up and run with equal professionalism. Gareth’s infectious enthusiasm, along with his humour, ensures that his classes are filled with energy and laughter distracting us all from the underlying physical hard work. I would recommend these sessions to anyone who is serious about their health and fitness but keen to enjoy the social interaction and it would be difficult to find a better role model.

Links

http://www.thewellnessstore.co.uk/index.asp?DistID=26757

 
Registered Address: Ultra Fit UK Ltd, Third Floor, 207 Regent Street, London, W1B 3HH | Company No: 07480854 | 08452 079 298