MARIA K. CLARIDGE
Personal Trainer | Yoga Instructor | Group Fitness Instructor
– Mind (Counselling), Body (Personal Training) & Soul (Yoga & Meditation, breathwork)
Phone: 07587 040700
Email: mariakclaridge@gmail.com
Location: Lymington, Hampshire
Professional Profile
An experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated fitness professional with over 16 years of experience delivering high-quality coaching across gyms, fitness studios, hotels, schools, private settings, and outdoor environments throughout the UK and Japan.
I specialise in creating engaging group fitness classes, personalised training programmes, and sustainable lifestyle coaching that help clients build strength, improve mobility, increase confidence, and achieve long-term health and wellbeing goals. My coaching philosophy combines evidence-based strength training, yoga, functional movement, breathwork, and nutritional guidance to deliver enjoyable, effective, and inclusive sessions for people of all ages and abilities.
Alongside my freelance coaching business, I teach Yoga, Power Yoga, and Strength & Conditioning classes while continuing to work as a qualified RYA Sailing Coach. My diverse coaching background has developed exceptional leadership, communication, and motivational skills that transfer across all aspects of health and fitness.
I also deliver specialist sessions including Teen Strength & Conditioning and Bootcamps, Kids’ Yoga, Baby PT, Baby Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga & Personal Training, and Postnatal Fitness.
I am passionate about helping people move better, feel stronger, build confidence, and enjoy exercise—regardless of their starting point.
Areas of Expertise
- Personal Training
- Group Fitness Instruction
- Yoga (Hatha & Power Yoga)
- Strength & Conditioning
- Functional Fitness
- Mobility & Flexibility
- Core Training
- Weight Management
- Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching
- Breathwork
- Health & Wellbeing Coaching
- Fitness Assessments
- Exercise Programme Design
- Client Motivation & Behaviour Change
- Gym Inductions
- Member Engagement & Retention
Fitness and Yoga Qualifications
- Level 3 Diploma Practitioner in Personal Training Accredited by Innovate Awarding, endorsed by CIMSPA 2013
- YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga Qualification 2018
- Combined Diploma in Teaching Yoga Qualification and the Level 3 Pre & Postnatal course 2018
- Combined Diploma in Teaching Yoga Qualification and Level 3 Older Adult Award 2018
- Level 3 Exercise Referral & Level 3 in Nutrition 2013
- Studio Cycling (Spinning) Instructor 2013
- Circuit Training Instructor 2013
- Sports Nutrition 2013
- Gym-Based Boxing Instructor 2013
- First Aid Qualified
- Qualified Lifeguard & Pool Instructor
- RYA Level 3 Sailing Coach & Instructor
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
Counselling Qualifications
- CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling OFQUAL Regulated 2022
- NCTI Couples Counselling Certified Working Therapeutically with Couples 2024
- CPCAB Counselling Young People in the BACP ‘Counselling Young People (11-18 years) Training Curriculum’ 2023
- NCTI Working Therapeutically with Eating Disorders 2024
- CPD Certified Trauma Informed Approach to Working with Male Survivors of Rape and Childhood Sexual Abuse 2024
- NCTI Working with Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse 2023
- Mental Health and Awareness Level 3 Certified 2017
CoP – BACP Certificate of Proficiency. Membership number: 00955528
Present
Currently delivering a wide range of private and group sessions, including:
- Personal Training
- Hatha Yoga
- Baby Yoga
- Baby PT
- Strength & Conditioning
- Teen Strength & Conditioning & Bootcamps
- Pregnancy & Postnatal Personal Training
- Pregnancy Yoga
- Kids’ Yoga
Please note, I am fully insured for all my services.
More information on key responsibilities
- Designing personalised fitness and wellbeing programmes
- Delivering engaging one-to-one and group training sessions
- Coaching clients of all ages and fitness levels
- Supporting clients with weight loss, strength, mobility, and rehabilitation goals
- Providing practical nutrition and lifestyle guidance
- Monitoring progress and adapting programmes to maximise results
- Building long-term client relationships through encouragement, accountability, and ongoing support
Sailing Coach:
- Coaching junior and adult sailors
- Planning and delivering structured training programmes
- Developing confidence, teamwork, resilience, and performance
- Working with competitive sailors to improve technical skills and race performance
Previous Fitness Roles
- Snap Fitness (Christchurch & Isle of Wight) – Spin & Power Yoga Instructor
- Oakhaven Hospice – Chair Yoga & Restorative Yoga Instructor
- ShapeUp Fitness – Spin, Yoga, Abs & Full Body Conditioning Instructor
- Evolution Gym, Tokyo – Personal Trainer
- Bloomsbury Gym – Body Conditioning & Spin Instructor (2017)
- Third Space / Reebok Gym – Group Fitness Instructor (2016)
- GLL – Exercise Instructor (2016)
- Rhinefield House Hotel & Spa, Hampshire – Personal Trainer & Health Club Assistant
- Beefs & Babes Gym, London – Group Fitness Instructor (2015)
- Sport Elite Fitness, Tokyo – Personal Trainer (2011–2012)
I have also worked with elite athletes, including Olympic 470 sailors, delivering sport-specific Strength & Conditioning programmes alongside personal training for general fitness clients.
Interests
Daily yoga practice, Qigong, meditation, breathwork, strength training, running, sailing, and outdoor fitness.
Fun Fact: I am a former international Laser Radial sailor who represented Great Britain at the European Championships. I continue to coach competitive young sailors and regularly support charitable fundraising events through sport.