Testimonials

I started training with Kevin in November 2018. I wanted help to try to improve my run off the bike in middle distance triathlon, as I felt generally OK with my swim and bike up to that point but my run was always painful, slow and really disheartening. I had never had any coaching before and had always considered myself a (below) average triathlete! I was really happy with Kevin’s initial quick, business-like and professional approach and this really helped me stick with my new training plan. As the weeks progressed I really began to love the routine of my training programme; Kevin is really good at pushing you just enough, I have never been injured whilst working with Kevin. Workouts that were at the beginning of the training cycle eye-watering difficult, by the end of the month, were achievable which gave me huge satisfaction. I find Kevin’s bike training particularly effective – using a smart turbo and Zwift in conjunction with Kevin’s tailored interval sets saw huge improvements in my bike times over both standard and middle distance triathlon this year. I am someone who tended in the past to over train with a lot of junk miles, however, with Kevin it felt like I was actually training less than I used to but with much quicker and more noticeable gains. This meant on my downtime I could actually relax and enjoy spending time with my friends and family without the guilt that I should be training more. Kevin is always on hand to help me and is lightning quick with responses on text, phone and email. I was so happy to take 16 minutes of my 2018 time at the Cotswold Classic triathlon this year and in a major twist that I did not expect I actually now enjoy running the most out of the 3 disciplines with my newfound confidence and fitness. I absolutely love being coached by Kevin and the structure, support and confidence his training gives me. I have found the courage to sign up for Ironman Copenhagen in 2020 and with Kevin’s help hope I can do the training justice.

★★★★★

Just completed the Marmotte Alpes 2018 on Sunday in a time of 7h 27. That’s an hour quicker than last year and this year’s conditions were harder because of the hot temperatures. I improved my ranking from 2212 out of 7500 last year to 508 out of 7500 this year. Really pleased with the result and improvement in just 11 weeks of following your training program. I'm looking forward to carrying on with my program and getting under 7hrs next year.

★★★★★

I had seemed to hit a plateau with my cycling and results in TT events and I really wanted to achieve much more so I set about the task of finding a coach.  After emailing and chatting to Kevin I decided to go with a months trial and to be honest I have never looked back. Kevin sends me over my structured training plans for the week through training peaks and initially I was saying to myself that there wasn’t any rest days! I started the training riding some days for only 50 minutes but the sessions Kevin has given me over the past two months have helped me achieve my first sub 20 minute 10 mile TT and the belief I have now with Kevin’s continued training plan is a sub 50 minute for 25 miles is a real possibility. Kevin and I live at opposite ends of the country and have never met but with regular contact by email, texts and phone calls we have made this arrangement work. Video Testimonial

★★★★★

I knew what I wanted from my training and I knew I was going to have to focus to reach my targets, and whilst I was making steady progress on my own when I was recommended to Kevin at Blackzone training I thought I would give it a bash and see how it would affect my progress. It has been four months since I joined and I have been amazed by the progress, I find myself spending less time training but when I am training the structure and intensity of the sessions give me more gains for less time input, this has given me more free time and more recovery time whilst progressing. In the four months I have been focused on training but have still managed to get a new running PB after two years of stagnating in pace, took a high profile 40 mile OCR win improving from 9th place the previous year and took the win accompanied by a cash prize at the inaugural Scotland’s Tougher Mudder. I joined Blackzone with an 8 month goal to coincide with an event later this year, I never imagined I would have come so far in half that time and can’t wait to see what can be achieved in the future.

★★★★★

Thanks for all your help - couldn't even swim 2 lengths before you started training so I'm delighted with a 23 minute swim! I know I can improve on that and can also improve the cycle and run with some more training. But delighted with where I've come from at the start of the year.

After injuring my hamstring during a training run for my first marathon, I approached Kevin for his help with maintaining as much fitness as possible while the injury healed and to catch up with my training once I was able to run again.  I chose Kevin as I regularly attended and enjoyed his spinning and bodypump classes and felt confident he’d be able to help me.  Having used a couple of personal trainers in the past, I’ve found that the real difference with Kevin is that your training plan feels truly tailored to you and your goals, your abilities and the results and feedback from previous sessions. The training schedules Kevin supplies are always challenging and varied, never boring and I know that my fitness levels and speed have increased beyond what would have been possible if I’d continued to train by myself.  You have to be prepared to work hard to train with Kevin, but the results are worth it and I’d thoroughly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their fitness or train for a specific event.

★★★★★

Kevin Henderson is infectious. His knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm ooze an inspiring passion for his profession and for the development of the athletes with whom he works and relentlessly drives to maximise their talents. Cooking up a potent recipe of hard work, science, nutrition, rest and recovery, Kevin instils confidence, belief and a real desire to execute. Don’t turn up if you don’t want to work, but if you’re ready to put the hours in results will follow! Kate's recent successes include

• British Athletics X Challenge Series Champion U13
• Scottish Schools Indoor 1500m Champion U16
• Scottish National 1500m Indoor Champion U15
• Scottish National Young Athletes Road Race Champion U13
• West District 1500m Champion U15
• Stirling Duathlon Champion TriStar 3
• Bishopbriggs Triathlon Champion Tristar 3
• Scottish Schools X Country Championships Silver Medallist U16
• Scottish Schools Aquathon Championships Silver Medallist U15
• Scottish National X Country Championships Bronze Medallist U13
• Scottish Inter District X Country Championships Bronze Medallist U13

★★★★★

Kevin was my coach during the making of my BBC Panorama programme Catch Me If You Can, and was an essential part of my team. He was in charge of producing 15 hours of mainly bike training per week for me, for around eight months, as well as closely monitoring my progress. I was involved in a secret experiment to help expose doping in sport, so I had to be sure I could trust my coach to be circumspect about what I was doing. Kevin is a trustworthy and inspirational coach, who is extremely well versed in the science behind behind the sessions he was giving, and he always finds ways to be innovative; the training is never boring. The results I got with Kevin's training were quick and pronounced. And I continued to improve. He is always on hand for last minute changes to training, or to stick in session at short notice. All he thinks about is training and sports, which is what you need as a coach. And he always knew when I needed an easy day. I'd wholeheartedly recommend Kevin Henderson as a coach.

★★★★★

In June 2020 I came to a realisation with a big bump (a broken collar bone and eight broken ribs) that my abilities weren’t in match with my ambitions. Three months later and I was making the baby steps onto the bike with ambitions to get back to cycling with my mates and my club. I actually enjoy training sessions and have benefited in other sports when I have followed a plan. Because of this I know my greatest risk is burning out whilst juggling work, training and family time (I know I am not alone in this challenge). I read about getting a coach but I’m not an athlete, I wasn’t targeting time trials, I wasn’t targeting races and had zero aspirations to do so – that’s what you have coaches for, right ? So, what would I do with a coach or more accurately why would anyone coach me? I decided though, if I don’t ask I’ll never know so contacted Blackzone Coaching. Kevin was awesome straight away and walked me through what a programme would look like and assured me that I could find value in being coached. So we talked through my commitments and I received my first sessions all based around my hours and my needs. I loved it !!! No thinking just get on the bike/turbo and ride. The sessions are completely focused on getting the most out of my time and if I get stuck a quick text, a quick adjustment allowed me to keep moving forward. I can’t thank Kevin enough as whilst I’m not going to be the fastest or winning races, I am the fittest I have ever been. I am loving riding with mates more than ever and I’m even getting quicker uphill! Is coaching for you? With a coach like Kevin being coached is for everyone whether you are racing or you want to enjoy and get the most out of what you have! He listens, shapes sessions for YOU, and keeps you on track! Unfortunately I can’t give him snippets like coming top 5 in an Ironman or winning a time trial but after 12 months I am still enjoying the challenge of every session, I am excited about where I can get my fitness to next year and looking forward hopefully bringing the pain train on a summer club ride!

★★★★★

I was an injured runner when Kevin encouraged me to get a road bike and enter a triathlon which I did. At the time I could just about manage 2 lengths of the pool without stopping and hadn’t quite perfected the art of clip in shoes or learned the rules of the road. I joined and enjoyed training with a local triathlon club but when I decided to do a 70.3 I knew I needed a more specific training plan. Fast forward 10 months and I have completed Mallorca 70.3, various sprint triathlons, road races and time trials- 10 & 50 mile. Kevin is an intuitive coach and I believe he knows my abilities probably better than I do so I tend not to think too much about my training I just follow what’s on the program each day and have improved considerably in all disciplines. The sessions are always different and challenging, carefully tailored to my own power zones and readapted periodically to mirror fitness gains. Kevin always takes account of injuries, work commitments and life events. Highly recommend getting a program and wouldn’t look further than Kevin for this.

★★★★★

Kevin is exceptional! My main sport is road bike racing as a veteran and I also ski and play tennis. I was getting frustrated at being dropped from the bunch in too many Cat 3/4 bike races and wasn't getting much better despite following one of the many generic training programmes available in the cycling mags & books. To commit to another season my training had to be specific to my needs particularly for intensity & volume, specific workouts and rest days. I didn't trust generic training programmes to provide this. (more…)

★★★★★

Working with Kevin has introduced focus and consistency to my training. Like lots of people I have dipped in and out of exercise over the years with out any clear strategy. Working with Kevin has introduced challenging but achievable targets tailor made to suit my lifestyle and work commitments. As a club cyclist my main goal was to improve my power and endurance on the bike. I saw my FTP rise by 25% in the first 4 months of training with Kevin. That alone is strong motivation to continue. Kevin is clearly driven and passionate about fitness, always available for advice and motivational support. If you are looking for a programme that is carefully matched to you and delivers results then look no further.