Excellent trainer, friendly and encouraging group, do yourself a favour and get out of the stinky gym and into the park with an exercise regime you will actually stick to.

I still can't believe I've done it. If you were to tell me even 5 months ago that I would be running 1/2 marathon I would have told you "You are crazy!". Never say never! Just wanted to say 'THANK YOU' to everyone who supported me along the way and ESPECIALLY to Donna Douglas, Step into Life Cheltenham, who made me strong enough to do it!!!!!!!!! Totally overwhelmed today!!!!!

Joining Step Into Life has been once of the best things I've done. Over the last 7 months I have seen so much change in my fitness. Donna and Joel are great trainers and they definitely keep it challenging as no two sessions are ever the same.
With the help of Step Into Life I've been able to complete Tough Mudder and my first fun run this year something I never thought I'd be able to do.
I highly recommend Step Into Life to everyone.

7 months ago, I could hardly exercise for 10 minutes without feeling exhausted. On the weekend, I completed my first fun run which was 8km. This achievement is attributed to Donna & Joel at Step Into Life Cheltenham. I have come to appreciate that health and fitness is paramount to leading a happy & balanced life, and Step Into Life Cheltenham combines fitness with a fun & enthusiastic environment!! Donna & Joel are fantastic trainers, and the program is different for every session, keeping us interested and motivated to attend. There is nothing like training in the great outdoors, and I would highly recommend Step Into Life Cheltenham to anyone and everyone!!

I first checked out Step into Life on this website and I was initially sceptical about all these glowing reviews. I didn't quite believe that everyone was really enjoying it that much or that a personal trainer could be that amazing. But after three months of sessions, I can tell you that Donna is a truly fantastic, supportive and inspiring trainer and - even more incredibly - I am enjoying exercising, having not done anything on a regular basis for around 20 years! As well as being very unfit, I have also got some old injuries, that have affected my day to day life. But thanks to Donna and Joel's advice and encouragement, my mobility and stability have improved and I am doing things that I simply was not able to do 12 weeks ago. So believe all these great reviews, it really is THAT good!

I have just clocked up five years with Step Into Life (SIL)Cheltenham. Why did I start? I was overweight, lethargic and I am a type 2 Diabetic. My Diabetes medication was ramping up without any improvement in blood sugar control and my Doctor had read me the riot act. Now, I am 15 kilos lighter, my blood sugar is totally under control on a third of the medication and I feel fitter and younger than I did twenty years ago. Back then I knew I had to do something, so I bought a cross trainer machine and started to go jogging. Great intentions but despite the motivation, there always seemed to be a reason not to exercise. Meanwhile, my wife had joined SIL a few years earlier and was still going and feeling better and best of all had remained motivated. She convinced me to give it a try and along I went, feeling macho and confident but also very self conscious, I went in a bit too hard in my first toning session and the next day could barely feed myself; such was the muscle soreness. OK, the first few weeks were tough but I soon realised that it was not a contest and I was surrounded by wonderful people who were just pleased to see me have a go at improving my life. Why does SIL work? For me it is because of the extremely supportive but still motivating environment that Donna has consistently maintained. We have met and made great friends, it is never boring and I always finish with a great blast of "feel good" endorphins. Yes, it can be as tough as you want to make it, but Donna manages to cleverly tailor the sessions so that we all benefit regardless of our current fitness level.
No fitness plan will ever work if you do not attend and continue to attend. The bottom line is that the SIL environment keeps me motivated.

I have been a member for 4 years now, 2-3 sessions a week. I still really enjoy the atmosphere and comararadere of the team. Donna introduced me to running again and now with her help and training I have completed over 10 half marathons and last year did my first marathon!! Just when I thought I had reached my peak, this week I ran my fastest 10 km time ever and did personal bests on much of my fitness evaluations. I am a very happy member and suggest you come and give the team a try!

I cannot recommend Donna Douglas and Step Into Life Cheltenham highly enough. A year and a half ago I was not sleeping, struggling with 2 young kids, overweight unfit and unhappy. I've met new friends, I've discovered I can wake up at 5.30 and exercise 3 days a week and I can depend on a 'friendly' SMS if I don't show without a good excuse. Because of the group camaraderie and the variety in the outdoor exercise, this is the only training plan that's worked for me in 20 years. If you are thinking of coming along, do it, the groups are all shapes and sizes, male and female, good natured and welcoming. You won't regret it - what's the worst that can happen?

I've been training with Donna for nearly a year now, and for 9 months of that I was pregnant! Donna was supportive and encouraging of me continuing my training right through until two days before I gave birth.

She modified my training program so that it complemented my pregnancy and I honestly believe it contributed to me having such a healthy pregnancy and birth. My baby is now 6 weeks old and my recovery has been quick and easy. If I hadn't kept up my training I think my pregnancy experience would have been completely different - they say that giving birth is like running a marathon, and Donna definitely helped me feel fit and healthy!

Donna is the perfect trainer - she is lovely and friendly, but firm enough that you are held accountable for training to your best ability. You don't mind getting up for a 6am class!

Another side to the training is the social side, and I just love going to class - I've made some great friends and have really missed them and the training in this time off. I'm really looking forward to getting back into it! Thanks Donna, you know I couldn't have done it without you! xx

I started with Donna on the Step into Life program a year and a half ago knowing that I had to seriously do something about my health and fitness but not confident with knowing what to do. I spoke with Donna about my health condition (having been diagnosed with a pain condition), feeling very hesitant about returning to exercise after 8 years. Donna was very assuring and encouraged me to give it a go. She has been incredibly patient and accommodating as I've worked out what exercises I could manage and as time has gone on, with Donna overseeing my progress, I've managed to reduce my pain levels almost completely, I'm now 90% stronger and more flexible and quite a few kilos lighter than I was when I started Step. I feel fantastic after each session! Training outdoors is the most healthy and invigorating place to exercise! I could never go back to a gym even when I think of the hot summer and cold winter temperatures - there's something magical about doing it outdoors! Thanks Donna for getting me back on track to a healthier, fitter and lighter me :-)!!!