AKR Fitness recently welcomed Cathy MacDonald - former police hostage and crisis negotiator and founder of The Art of Communication - to work with its coaching team.
The session focused on how coaches communicate and connect with the people they work with day to day - from how they listen and respond, to how they create clarity and confidence on the gym floor.
“It’s natural to focus on the training itself, but personal training is as much about the person as it is the programme,” said Mike MacDonald, founder of AKR Fitness. “Technical expertise matters, but strong communication and people skills are what allow coaches to apply that expertise effectively. It’s what sets great coaches apart, and something we continue to prioritise in our team development.”
Cathy MacDonald said: “It was a real pleasure to spend time with the AKR team. They’ve built a strong, positive environment, and having worked with Mike over a number of years, it’s clear they already communicate and support their members exceptionally well. The session was about building on that - adding a few extra tools and perspectives to help them approach different situations with even greater awareness and confidence.”
Cathy, who recently retired following a career in policing and communication training, has worked with organisations across the world to develop communication and interpersonal skills in a wide range of environments.
AKR Fitness is an independent personal training gym based in Aberdeen, helping adults feel fitter, stronger, and more energised through expert coaching in a structured, supportive environment. Built for those who don’t feel at home in traditional gyms, AKR takes a considered, professional approach - combining clear guidance, consistency, and a focus on long-term progress.
Learn more at AKRFitness.com