One’s a former Special Forces member and the other coaches the England lacrosse team. Would you really like to come up against either of them in the gym?
Here at Club HQ we were breaking into a sweat just thinking about it! So instead, we met the 2 sparkly new Biggest Loser trainers for this year, Charlotte Ord and Rob Edmond, in the comfy confines of a coffee shop and asked them some revealing questions ...
Welcome, Charlotte and Rob. First things first, what’s your age and where do you come from?
Rob: Ladies first ...
Charlotte: Thanks Rob! I’m from Guildford and I’m 29.
Rob: I was born in Chester and I’m 37.
How did you feel when you got the nod to appear in one of the UK’s biggest weight loss shows?
C: I was absolutely thrilled. My passion is helping people, so to be able to work with people who are struggling in such an extreme way was what I’d always wanted to do.
R: I was so excited. It all happened in a matter of weeks and before I knew it I was making my debut in front of the TV cameras.
How did you feel once you were on set and the cameras started rolling?
C: I was reasonably confident as I had appeared on another TV show in the past, but it is such a huge show that it was a bit overwhelming. To be honest though, there wasn’t really time to be nervous.
R: I wasn’t nervous at all. I worked in the Special Forces, so nothing really fazes me now.
What is your training experience?
C: I used to ride horses professionally and play lacrosse for England. I then did a psychology degree and afterwards combined my love of sport with helping people by becoming a trainer. I have my own gym called Phoenix Pro Fitness and I also now coach the England lacrosse team. So I train those who are overweight, older people wanting to keep fit and healthy and also elite athletes aiming for world records.
R: I’ve done a lot of hard training over the years myself, and trained the military elite. On leaving, I really missed training others and set up Extreme Physical Training originally with the aim to specialise in strength and conditioning for professional athletes to fitness fanatics. The great results I produced meant people started to come to me for fat loss and to get in shape, and this has become a large part of what I do.
How would you describe your style of training?
C: I’m very strategic. It’s all about planning ahead and having a long-term plan, like a road map to your goals. I’m kind, but deceptively tough. People will work harder with me than anyone else, but they just won’t realise it.
R: I draw from both old and new styles of training. I simply use what is proven to get the best results to match the client’s goal. I make my sessions a real challenge to get the most out of people, but give them a sense of achievement each time they train.
What is your approach towards the contestants?
C: I am conscious some of them haven’t trained before so I go gently on them in some areas, such as lifting weights, but they are here for an intense time and to get results, so there’s no time to be slack.
R: I am pretty hard on them, but not as hard as when I train recruits, so they’re lucky! I’m probably one of the tougher trainers, but I do have a sense of humour too.
Are you experienced in training such overweight people?
C: I’ve trained a lot of obese people, but nobody as large as Kevin.
R: Yes, I’m familiar with training larger people as well, but, like Charlotte said, Kevin is definitely the largest person I have trained to date too.
Were you nervous at the first weigh-in, in case the contestants didn’t get the results they needed?
C: I am really confident in my ability to help people lose fat, but the scales don’t allow for muscle gain, plus they need such big losses each week, so it was a bit nerve-wracking.
R: I know my training style works as I get results, so I was quite confident. But it is hard to bring in big losses each week.
Did any single contestant stand out for you from day one?
C: There were a few for me. Kevin has a great drive and listens to every word I say. Sarah has the same amazing attitude and also Laura – she’s been fantastic and is probably the fittest in the group.
R: Kevin. Definitely. He is so determined, and if you’re determined you can achieve anything.
Obviously last year there were only 2 trainers and this year there are 3. How did the dynamics work between you all?
C: We’re all quite different trainers, but we all have a common goal – to help the contestants shed the stones. We also all love to learn new techniques, so we help each other. We are 3 very competitive people, but we are also great friends.
R: We all get on great and to be training with who I consider to be 2 of the best trainers in the country is amazing. Richie’s past experience means he gives us some great advice. All 3 of us are so competitive, but because we all come from varied backgrounds and have differing training styles, we don’t step on each other’s toes.
Have you managed to fit in your own training while filming?
C: I am in the contestant’s Biggest Loser gym every day. I have a responsibility to be a good role model to the contestants and I think it motivates and inspires them when they see their trainers training. I also have a TV show to stay in shape for!
R: I’m very active in my training sessions, often picking up tyres or doing a speed march, so I get a mini-workout during the contestant’s sessions anyway. But I aim to do a minimum of 4 main workouts a week, which are based on the same principles as I’m putting the contestants through, but at a higher level.
Rob’s quick-fire questions
Guilty pleasure? I don’t feel guilty about much
Essential gadget? My smart phone
Can’t leave home without? Knowing where I’m going
Favourite film? Pulp Fiction
Fridge must-have? Smoked salmon
Charlotte’s quick-fire questions
Beauty must-have? SPF face cream
Weekend treat? A glass of champagne
Fave food fix? Bangers and mash with peas and leeks
Cook or washer upper? Cook – I have a dishwasher
Sofa buddy? My Jack Russell dog, Ludo