Coaching since 2007 — and the thinking behind Evolve Athletic.
I came into coaching in 2007, after graduating with a degree in Sport & Exercise Science. Back then athletic performance was what I was interested in, and I went on to work in pro sport as a Strength & Conditioning Coach and a Sport Scientist.
Over time, I found myself wanting something different — the rigour of the S&C side, but with the warmth and adaptability you only really get from the freelance Personal Training side. So I built my own gym.
Evolve Athletic is what came out of that. A gym geared around General Physical Preparation — building the strength, conditioning, and freedom of movement that lets you confidently go and do whatever you want outside the gym. The training isn't the point. What the training lets you do is.
I'm fascinated by the way we move and what we're capable of. I get excited thinking about our capacity for adaptation, and the potential to do amazing things with our bodies. I believe our experience of the world is shaped by our ability to move within it — and that the quality with which we move profoundly shapes how we experience life. These ideas are what underpin my approach to coaching, and to living. Moving well gives us freedom.
I've learned many lessons from a lifetime in sport, training, and goofing around. I express myself in movement, and it holds a great deal of meaning for me. It's given me so much — not just in fitness and health, but in understanding myself. It's enabled me to do some really cool things, have some of the best times of my life, and helped me cope with some of the worst.
When someone comes to me for coaching, I want to inspire them in movement. I want to share what I've learned as a Coach and an Athlete to help people enjoy their bodies, unlock their potential, and use it in ways that are meaningful to them.
I coach 1:1, lead the Strength & Conditioning classes, run some Calisthenics classes, and look after the wider programme. Outside the gym I practise Calisthenics, surf, and climb.
I love what I do at Evolve Athletic, I love the community that's grown around this space, and I hope you can feel the vibe when you walk in.
Peace ✌️
Areas I focus on when working 1:1 or running sessions.
Building durable, well-rounded strength and conditioning that translates to whatever you're trying to do outside the gym. Programming designed for real life, not just for the gym floor.
The foundation under everything else. Strength, conditioning, mobility, and movement skill — combined so you can go and do whatever activities you actually enjoy.
Sensible, paced reintroduction to training. Working alongside Sangita (our in-house physio) when needed to bridge rehab and back-to-strong.
Training programmes built around the trip, the event, or the activity you're preparing for — a weekend hike, a ski tour, a bouldering project, a surf trip, your first race…
The training isn't the point. What the training lets you do is. Moving well gives us freedom.— Idris, on his coaching philosophy
