Level 3 qualified personal trainer working outdoors in Battersea Park. Specialist in strength and mobility, injury rehabilitation, and training for healthy ageing.
The Story
Dan Edwards, founder of The Park PT, has been training clients in Battersea Park and across South London for over five years. He came to personal training through his own experience of injury, a period in his mid-twenties when he realised that conventional gym programmes were not built for the bodies they were meant to serve, especially when those bodies had history.
What kind of programme actually holds up over twenty, thirty, forty years?
That shaped the way he thinks about training now. Not what burns the most calories in six weeks, but what keeps you moving well, keeps you strong, and keeps you doing the things you care about as you get older.
He works entirely outdoors, year-round, across Battersea Park and the surrounding South London open spaces. Every programme starts from a movement assessment, not a generic template, because two clients with the same goal will often need completely different approaches to get there.
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The Setting
Every session runs outdoors, across Battersea Park and the surrounding South London open spaces. Dan trains clients year-round: early mornings, evenings, through winter and summer.
The environment is not incidental. Training on natural terrain, moving through open space, builds the kind of functional strength that actually transfers to everyday life. It is also, by every account, a better way to spend an hour than standing in a gym.
01
The body you have at 60 is largely built in your 40s and 50s. Dan designs programmes with that in mind: building real functional strength, maintaining mobility, and protecting joints rather than grinding them down. The goal is to still be doing the things you love in thirty years.
02
A previous injury, a stiff back, post-surgery recovery: these are not reasons to avoid training. They are information. Dan holds specialist rehabilitation training and treats existing injuries as a design constraint for the programme, not a reason to avoid it.
03
Dan does not promise transformations. He builds programmes that produce genuine, lasting change: strength that compounds over months, mobility that actually improves, habits that are sustainable. Clients who have been training with him for two or three years are the proof of that.
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Outdoor training is not a compromise on gym training. It is a different thing. Uneven surfaces, seasonal variety, fresh air and natural light all contribute to how the body adapts. Dan trains in Battersea Park year-round because the environment works for the goals, not despite it.
Qualifications
Dan holds all the professional qualifications and registrations you would expect from a personal trainer working in South London. Every session is fully insured.
REPS-accredited Level 3 qualification covering programme design, anatomy, physiology and applied fitness coaching.
Registered with the Register of Exercise Professionals, the recognised UK register for fitness instructors and personal trainers.
Professional member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, the professional development body for the UK fitness industry.
Specialist training in injury rehabilitation, covering assessment, programme modification and the safe return to exercise following injury or surgery.
Holds a valid first aid qualification covering outdoor training environments, including CPR and emergency response protocols.
Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked, with full professional liability insurance covering all training sessions.
I came to Dan as a 67 year old in remission from a debilitating cancer that affected the nerves in my legs and my strength, stamina and balance. After a careful assessment, Dan put together a programme we follow twice a week in the park. Highly recommend Dan as someone who knows his stuff and will work you at the right pace for you.
So I'm in my mid sixties, tilting myself at future fitness, flexibility and physical confidence. And I found Dan. Who is inspirational, motivational and, yup, transformational. I trust him — to push me, challenge me, value me. Can't ask for more. I get so many compliments.
As someone in their early 50s leading a busy life, Dan has motivated me to look after myself and the tailored sessions really make it worthwhile. The sessions outside in Battersea Park — not in a gym — make all the difference. Above all Dan listens, encourages and motivates with a personal approach to reach the goals you want.
Dan is an incredible PT. He takes time to tailor workouts specifically to what you need, focusing on strength, mobility and flexibility. My sessions in the park have improved my physical health but more importantly my mental health. Having sessions in the park is the best way to start the day and has completely changed my attitude and approach to exercise and looking after myself. Not only is Dan extremely knowledgeable, he also is a lovely, friendly and thoughtful PT who ensures we have a laugh whilst working hard. Couldn't recommend anyone more highly.
Dan is an absolutely brilliant PT! He has tailored our PT sessions so not only am I getting a great workout, but I am also working on areas of weakness and building up true strength. I have had a weak knee which he has identified the root cause of and we are now working on strengthening and remedying those areas. He holds us accountable and gives us workout plans on the days we are not training. We have really enjoyed training with him — and genuinely look forward to our sessions.
I've been training with Dan for a couple of years. It's great training outside in Battersea Park — way better than a gym. Even early mornings in the winter are fine! What a great way to start the day. Dan is good company and a very skilled trainer, crafting plans based on your objectives, using an app to plan sessions, setting homework like stretches, and even inputting into nutrition. I've made progress in particular with flexibility. I highly recommend.
Working out has never been so much fun! And I promise you'll feel better afterwards — maybe a little sore, but you'll know it's working. It's in a lovely spot in Battersea Park and there's a shelter if it rains, so don't worry about the weather. You are in very good hands with Dan. He's professional, very motivating to push yourself and just a great guy.
Would highly recommend Dan. His knowledge of the body and dealing with niggles and issues was very impressive. He confidently led me out of a few injuries and knew when to speed up or slow down. He actually listens — unlike a lot of other PTs! He's great fun to be with and working out in the park is really enjoyable.
Book a free, no-obligation call and find out whether The Park PT is the right fit for you.
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