Portrait of a personal trainer W1Crossfit programme Kadafi Radjabou

Kadafi is a phenomenal fitness trainer.  A few hours watching him train about two dozen people and it’s easy to understand why personal fitness can be quite enjoyable for both the trainer and the trainee.  The session was one big social event and these guys had loads of fun even through THE PAIN.

Kadafi is a soft-spoken, gentle and likeable person. No wonder he is popular and his clients are loyal to him and his classes. He also knows his stuff! But don’t just take my word for it. Have a look at these images, read through the interview and if you’re looking for a fitness trainer, give him a call. Kadafi is your guy! Take a look to this this online lifestyle assessment and check how is your health doing.

Kadafi is the owner of W1 Crossfit and holds many qualifications: Level2Crossfit Trainer, Crossfit Endurance, L4 Personal trainer, England Athletics Level 1 coach and running leader, International Crossfit Judge. He also trained in the elite military French Gendarmerie and the British School of Osteopathy.

I sent Kadafi some questions for the blog and he kindly provided these answers. Enjoy!

1. How did you get into fitness training / coaching / personal trainer career?

I got in the fitness industry as I realised I did not enjoy the corporate world anymore. It was an organic change, I breathe movement and exercise my entire life.

2. What would you say your main influences and inspiration are when it fitness training / coaching?

The CrossFit conditioning program was the major influence in my training and teaching. It opened my mind on how to define fitness and the outstanding achievements on can make through it. It also broaden my interests. The system is so varied that it always exposes area you would not consider as part of your fitness or it forces you to work on your weaknesses. I am now more receptive to other disciplines. Another influence was my training in osteopathy which assists my coaching in rehab work or movement screening.

3. What is it about your career that you love most?

It is a bit cliché but the positive impact I make in people lives is what gives me the kick! The corporate world taught me that we work toward improving the wealth of an organisation; despite the financial reward there is not much to be proud of. Making crucial and long lasting changes in people bring an unlatched sense of accomplishment.

4. What advice do you give to those wanting to start a fitness regime?

Start by picking up an activity you like, it might be something you always wanted to do or you may reconnect with a childhood activity or sport. Look for any opportunity to move, keep challenging yourself.

5. What is unique about Crossfit and why?

CrossFit is often misrepresented. It is a program which is for everyone and anyone. From teenagers to pensioners, it is build on personal achievements whatever it can be. Adding one more repetition to a workout, getting the first pull up. etc… The foundation of the program is community, we are a gathering of like minded individual who train together, support each other and respect each other. The community is the very cement of the program. When you don’t feel like going to the gym, you would hate letting down your training partners, you feel compelled to show up to make a difference on that day on your mindset and help others.

7. How long have you been doing this both personally and professionally?

There are not many gyms where coaches and members go out for dinner or drinks and feel being part of a family. I have started doing CrossFit since 2008 when I saw a video of a female crossfitter competing against an NFL male athlete on maximum overhead squat, the lady who was half the size beat the man with the same weight. I was intrigued, I was hooked. I got qualified as a CrossFit coach the following summer.

7. Tell us more about your passion for Crossfit and how it has changed you personally?

CrossFit brought a constant hunger for learning. Learning new skills and improving others: gymnastic, running, weightlifting, etc… It is an free-ego environment. In order to progress in the sport you will need to have an honest look at your capacity and skills and check your ego in the locker-room because no matter the perception we have of our own fitness, there is a teenage crossfitter somewhere with our personal record.

8. What is your dream / vision regarding your business?

My vision is to bring CrossFit to much more people. People ought to have a better health and learn how to take control of their own body. We have a growing ageing population but our quality of life is getting worse as we grow old. Getting old does not mean losing function and capacity.

If you are looking for a personal training or a personalised training programme, give Kadafi a call. Check out his Facebook page here and his new shiny website!