Welcome to the 2nd edition of My PRIME With… featuring Gym Owner, Physique Coach, Bodybuilder and PRIME Athlete – Mark Coles. Mark is the owner of M10 Gym in Nottingham, United Kingdom. Mark’s passion for fitness and helping others is infectious. So, we wanted to find out where his passion is rooted, what he attributes his entrepreneurial success to and how his story might help you #FindYourPRIME. Without further ado, here is My PRIME With…Mark Coles.
PRIME: Mark, you are building a reputation of owning one of the most elite body transformation gyms in the UK at M10 Fitness, how did M10 come about and what is the significance of name M10?
Mark Coles: M10 was born out of my passion to deliver the highest quality coaching. For me, coaching is about high standards and professionalism, knowledge, but also the ability to deliver that knowledge. It’s about being able to help our clients achieve a set of results that they never thought was possible. We do that by combining all of our years of experience together, and by working together as a team. I wanted a company name that was smart, minimalistic but also professional. I wanted a letter and a number, so kept my eyes open for something that stood out. When I was at a rugby game with my Dad (my biggest inspiration), our tickets said to enter via stand M10, and that is where the name was born.
PRIME: When you decided to open your own gym, what was your business philosophy and what advice would you give anyone considering opening a facility?
Mark Coles: My advice to anyone opening their own facility, is to build it around the results that you want to achieve with your clients, and also what provides the best environment for you and your team to thrive. If you have limited tools, you limit what you can achieve. Many trainers try and save, but that limits the growth potential for their business long term. The reason we have the best equipment, is so that my team has everything they need to become the best. We also have the best, because we believe that our clients deserve the best.
PRIME: As a bodybuilder, what drives you and who influences you?
Mark Coles: I have always had a desire to achieve, be that in business or sports. When I stopped playing rugby and transitioned into bodybuilding, I found a sport that I could continually improve in. With the knowledge that I gain daily, I get excited about the changes that I can make to my physique. I don’t have any desire to be a pro, I just want to improve and better myself year over year. My body, mind and spirit, all come together and help me drive forwards towards my business and life goals. I don’t have any bodybuilders that I look to for inspiration; I do however respect each and every one of them. My goals in life very much relate to personal goals, and those of my business and the legacy in the fitness industry that I want to leave.
PRIME: You’ve added a significant amount of PRIME equipment at M10. Why PRIME and how has it changed the way you train your clients?
Mark Coles: Having Prime has changed so many areas of my training, and also to those who get to use the equipment at M10. As an athlete, we don’t get to use equipment that pays respect to biomechanics like the Prime equipment does. I have been able to train muscles in ranges that I never knew I was weak in. I have grown, I’m so much stronger, and more importantly for my overall health, I’m way more stable in so many lifts. When it comes to our coaching, the equipment allows us to train clients immediately where they are weak (due to the ability to manipulate the cams). By being able to do this, we can get them stronger quicker, and also progress them quicker.
PRIME: For individuals reading this who are just starting their journey to improving their physique, what are the top 3 “must-dos” as they begin their transformation process?
Mark Coles: My first tip would be to take your time. Learn how your muscles work, and learn how to contract them. You will do this best by hiring someone who is skilled, rather than trying to teach yourself. My second tip would be to use machines especially in your early days. Machines allow you to lock down and therefore you’ll be able to engage with the muscle a lot easier. My third tip would be to make progress, but never at the expense of execution. So lift heavier, work harder, but don’t get sloppy. The quickest way to stall, is to let your ego get in the way.
PRIME: What’s next for Mark Coles and M10 Fitness?
Mark Coles: Right now our Physique coach education program is really picking up steam. We have also introduced a private mentorship, which is one of our Elite programs (trainers from across Europe work with us personally for 6 months). Our goal is to have introduced over 1000 coaches to our methods by the end of the year. There are many coaches in the fitness industry who have a lot of knowledge, but very few who can deliver.