Nicola Barnard
Dorking Sports Centre
Dorking
2 votes
About
Qualifications
Specialisms
Location
Reviews
About
I have worked in the health and fitness industry for more than eight years, beginning as a Personal Trainer and, more recently, practising as a Physiotherapist. During this time, I’ve trained individuals and groups in a wide range of environments, including homes, gyms, studios, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. I have led group classes such as circuit training, body conditioning, body combat, yoga and Pilates. In clinical settings, I have delivered targeted exercise programmes for people with musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, joint replacements, soft-tissue injuries and fractures post-surgery.
In recent years, my interest has increasingly focused on women’s health—particularly the role of exercise before and after menopause. As a member of the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy society, I have completed evidence-based menopause training for health professionals and look forward to bringing this expertise to Dorking Sports Centre.
I am passionate about helping people move better and feel stronger. Whether you’re completely new to exercise or a long-time fitness enthusiast, I combine physiotherapy knowledge with personalised training to support you in reaching your goals safely and confidently. My aim is to provide the guidance, motivation and encouragement you need to feel your best.
In recent years, my interest has increasingly focused on women’s health—particularly the role of exercise before and after menopause. As a member of the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy society, I have completed evidence-based menopause training for health professionals and look forward to bringing this expertise to Dorking Sports Centre.
I am passionate about helping people move better and feel stronger. Whether you’re completely new to exercise or a long-time fitness enthusiast, I combine physiotherapy knowledge with personalised training to support you in reaching your goals safely and confidently. My aim is to provide the guidance, motivation and encouragement you need to feel your best.
Qualifications
Level 3 Personal Trainer
Chartered Physiotherapist
Sports Massage
Yoga Instructor
Pilates Instructor
Menopause Practitioner Certification
Chartered Physiotherapist
Sports Massage
Yoga Instructor
Pilates Instructor
Menopause Practitioner Certification
Specialisms
Strength & Conditioning
Women's Health
Fitness
Injury Rehabilitation
Weight Loss
Women's Health
Fitness
Injury Rehabilitation
Weight Loss
Location
2 Reviews
2 out of 2
I suffered a horrid accident and a complex distal femur fracture back in September which required surgery and the insertion of a metal plate and screws. After many slow months of rehab at home, last month my physiotherapist Barney gave me a few strength building exercises I could begin to do at the gym. I have been enjoying being there back amongst friends and my gym community. After a month of that, though, I seemed to reach a plateau and I wasn’t making further progress.
So two weeks ago Barney and Nicola, who herself is a fully qualified physiotherapist as well as a personal trainer with special interests in women’s health and post injury recovery, collaborated together and have devised a lovely gym programme for phase two of my rehab in which I will be building strength and endurance.
I couldn’t be happier about this. Nicola is a very gentle and lovely human being who truly listens and notices any areas where a client may be feeling nervous or tentative. After so much pain endured in my injury and the aftermath I was quite scared to use Technogym resistance weights machines for fear of damaging my leg afresh but with Nicola’s support and help I found that I felt complete trust in her and I realised with pleasure that she would not suggest anything extreme or sudden. My leg itself felt safe and relaxed as we moved around the gym machines together.
Nicola is also a gifted yoga teacher and as a yoga lover I look forward to joining one of her classes when I’m further along with my recovery.
I have belonged to Dorking gym for many years but until my injury I had only ever walked or jogged on the treadmill. It feels quietly exciting now to be building my strength with resistance weights machines and to be cross training for the first time. I feel happy, hopeful and grateful for all the expertise and generosity which Barney and Nicola have offered me.
I feel that anyone recovering from major injury or surgery and also any midlife or older woman will find Nicola a delight to work with one to one and will feel come away from sessions feeling empowered and optimistic about the adventure ahead of coming back stronger and more confident and in the community of fellows at the gym each following their own programmes.
I am sure that Nicola will be a great blessing to many people here at Dorking Leisure Centre. We are very fortunate to have her keen to bring her expertise, skills and lovely human qualities to gym members.
Thank you very much, Nicola.
Sarah Helen Keith-Roach
So two weeks ago Barney and Nicola, who herself is a fully qualified physiotherapist as well as a personal trainer with special interests in women’s health and post injury recovery, collaborated together and have devised a lovely gym programme for phase two of my rehab in which I will be building strength and endurance.
I couldn’t be happier about this. Nicola is a very gentle and lovely human being who truly listens and notices any areas where a client may be feeling nervous or tentative. After so much pain endured in my injury and the aftermath I was quite scared to use Technogym resistance weights machines for fear of damaging my leg afresh but with Nicola’s support and help I found that I felt complete trust in her and I realised with pleasure that she would not suggest anything extreme or sudden. My leg itself felt safe and relaxed as we moved around the gym machines together.
Nicola is also a gifted yoga teacher and as a yoga lover I look forward to joining one of her classes when I’m further along with my recovery.
I have belonged to Dorking gym for many years but until my injury I had only ever walked or jogged on the treadmill. It feels quietly exciting now to be building my strength with resistance weights machines and to be cross training for the first time. I feel happy, hopeful and grateful for all the expertise and generosity which Barney and Nicola have offered me.
I feel that anyone recovering from major injury or surgery and also any midlife or older woman will find Nicola a delight to work with one to one and will feel come away from sessions feeling empowered and optimistic about the adventure ahead of coming back stronger and more confident and in the community of fellows at the gym each following their own programmes.
I am sure that Nicola will be a great blessing to many people here at Dorking Leisure Centre. We are very fortunate to have her keen to bring her expertise, skills and lovely human qualities to gym members.
Thank you very much, Nicola.
I had no previous gym experience but Nicola made everything easy to understand and enabled me to build confidence using the equipment correctly and safely.
With a knee issue, I received a tailored workout that was adapted specifically to me - I feel that I have gained in strength, confidence and motivation. I have no hesitation in recommending Nicola who is extremely knowledgeable, supportive and professional in her approach.
Anne Coleman
With a knee issue, I received a tailored workout that was adapted specifically to me - I feel that I have gained in strength, confidence and motivation. I have no hesitation in recommending Nicola who is extremely knowledgeable, supportive and professional in her approach.