Meet James - Head Personal Trainer, Martial Arts Instructor & Online Fitness Coach

Combining specialist personal training, strength and conditioning, exercise referral and martial arts coaching to help people achieve their fitness goals.

Since joining Elemental Fitness in April 2014, James Clark has become an important member of our coaching team, bringing extensive experience in personal training, martial arts instruction and individualised fitness programming.

As Head Personal Trainer, Martial Arts Instructor and Online Fitness Coach, James combines professional fitness qualifications with his passion for American Kickboxing, helping people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds improve their fitness, strength, confidence and physical performance.

With martial arts instructing experience dating back to June 2012, James has worked with everyone from complete beginners taking their first steps into exercise to competitive athletes preparing for national and international competition.

His coaching approach focuses on making exercise challenging, enjoyable and rewarding, helping clients stay motivated while developing the knowledge and confidence to maintain their progress.

A Passion for Fitness & Martial Arts

James's passion for martial arts has played an important role in shaping his coaching career.

Having developed his skills in Freestyle Karate and Kickboxing, James progressed through the grading system to achieve his 2nd Dan Black Belt, with his most recent grading assessed by David Kenyon, 4th Dan.

His competitive experience includes achieving medals at the WKC National English Kickboxing Championships between 2014 and 2015.

Through his martial arts training and competition experience, James has developed a particular interest in technical accuracy, physical conditioning and the importance of consistent progression.

He now incorporates these principles into his personal training sessions, using martial arts-inspired exercises to create engaging workouts that challenge cardiovascular fitness, coordination, strength and endurance.

For James, kickboxing is more than a sport. It is an opportunity to help people become fitter, develop confidence and discover an enjoyable approach to physical activity.

Professional Qualifications & Specialist Training

Alongside his martial arts background, James has developed specialist qualifications in personal training, exercise referral and lower back exercise.

His qualifications include:

Level 2 Gym Instructor

Level 3 Personal Trainer

Level 3 Exercise Referral

Level 4 Lower Back Specialist

2nd Dan Black Belt – Freestyle Karate & American Kickboxing

Basic First Aid for Appointed Persons

James has also completed professional development in several specialist areas, including:

Exercise for Fat Loss

Circuit Training

Behaviour Change Coaching

Nutrition & Weight Management Coaching

Advanced Resistance Training

Functional Training

Core Training

These qualifications support his ability to develop individualised exercise programmes, adapt training to different abilities and help clients work towards realistic, sustainable goals.

Exercise Referral & Lower Back Specialist Coaching

One of James's key areas of expertise is his specialist training in exercise referral and lower back exercise.

His Level 3 Exercise Referral and Level 4 Lower Back Specialist qualifications provide additional knowledge for working with individuals who may require a more considered or adapted approach to physical activity.

James understands that people often face different challenges when starting or returning to exercise, particularly following periods of inactivity, reduced mobility or physical limitations.

His approach focuses on understanding individual circumstances, selecting appropriate exercises and developing strength, mobility and confidence through progressive training.

This experience includes supporting an older client who had experienced approximately 18 months of immobility following an accident, helping them progressively regain mobility and confidence through adapted exercise.

James aims to make physical activity accessible and achievable while recognising the importance of working within appropriate professional boundaries and individual capabilities.

Developing Strength, Fitness & Sporting Performance

James has experience supporting clients with a wide range of fitness and performance objectives.

His work includes strength and conditioning, weight management, cardiovascular fitness, functional training and sport-specific physical preparation.

He has also worked with a professional under-14 footballer, developing strength, conditioning and physical performance through tailored exercise programming.

By combining traditional resistance training with functional exercises and martial arts-inspired conditioning, James creates programmes that reflect each client's abilities, objectives and sporting requirements.

His main areas of interest include:

Personal Training: Individualised coaching designed around personal goals, abilities and lifestyles.

Strength & Conditioning: Developing strength, muscular endurance and physical performance.

Exercise Referral: Supporting appropriate physical activity for individuals with additional exercise considerations.

Lower Back Exercise: Developing appropriate strength, stability and functional movement through specialist exercise programming.

Kickboxing: Teaching technical skills, improving fitness and developing confidence.

Weight Management: Supporting sustainable progress through structured exercise and practical lifestyle guidance.

Sports Performance: Helping recreational and competitive athletes improve their physical conditioning.

Online Fitness Coaching: Providing structured training programmes and ongoing support beyond face-to-face sessions.

Martial Arts Instruction & Athlete Development

Alongside his personal training responsibilities, James is a senior instructor at Elemental Kickboxing Leeds.

He has extensive experience delivering both children's and adult kickboxing classes, supporting students through technical development, physical conditioning, grading preparation and competitive opportunities.

His coaching has contributed to the development of athletes competing at national and international standards.

James also serves on the club's Examination Board, supporting grading assessments, maintaining training standards and helping students progress through the belt system.

His attention to technique and ability to adapt instruction are important parts of his approach, whether working with beginners learning fundamental movements or experienced martial artists refining their skills.

James believes that martial arts training should be challenging but enjoyable, encouraging students to develop discipline, confidence and a sense of achievement as they progress.

Making Fitness Enjoyable & Sustainable

One of James's main coaching principles is that people are more likely to remain physically active when they enjoy their training.

He combines structured exercise programming with varied, engaging sessions designed to challenge clients while keeping them motivated.

Martial arts-inspired workouts are a particular feature of his coaching, offering an alternative to conventional gym-based exercise.

These sessions can incorporate technical striking drills, pad work, cardiovascular conditioning and functional exercises, adapted to individual experience and fitness levels.

James recognises that maintaining consistency can be difficult when balancing exercise with work, family and other commitments.

His aim is to make training rewarding, achievable and something clients look forward to, rather than simply another obligation.

A Word from James

"Kickboxing has always been one of my biggest passions, and being able to incorporate it into my work as a personal trainer is something I really enjoy.

"I've been instructing since 2012 and joined Elemental Fitness in April 2014. Over that time, I've developed my coaching experience and had the opportunity to work with people of different ages, abilities and fitness levels.

"One of the things I particularly enjoy is finding ways to make exercise both challenging and enjoyable. I like to focus on technique and use martial arts-inspired training to help clients improve their fitness, coordination and confidence.

"My main goal is to help people achieve their personal targets through structured, engaging workouts that keep them motivated and eager to progress.

"I believe that when people genuinely enjoy exercise, they're more likely to stay active and maintain their results over the long term.

"Helping someone develop confidence, improve their fitness or discover a passion for kickboxing is one of the most rewarding parts of my job."

Life Outside Elemental Fitness

Away from coaching, James enjoys spending time outdoors and taking part in a range of recreational activities.

His interests include fell walking, camping and cycling, reflecting his enthusiasm for physical activity beyond the gym.

When he's not exploring the outdoors, James enjoys socialising with friends and playing online games.

These interests provide a balance between his professional commitment to fitness and martial arts and his personal life.

Continuing to Develop Elemental Fitness & Team Elemental Kickboxing Leeds

Since joining Elemental Fitness in 2014, James has played an important role in supporting the development of personal training services and martial arts coaching.

As Head Personal Trainer, he continues to support clients through individualised exercise programming, specialist coaching and ongoing reviews.

Alongside this, his work with Elemental Kickboxing Leeds includes delivering classes, supporting developing instructors and helping students progress through their martial arts training.

His continued focus is on maintaining high coaching standards, helping clients achieve their goals and creating a positive training environment where people feel supported and motivated.

Interested in Training with James?

Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, build strength, return to regular exercise or try something different through martial arts-inspired personal training, James can help you explore a programme suited to your individual needs.

At Elemental Fitness, we offer a FREE 30-minute consultation, giving you the opportunity to discuss your goals, experience and training requirements before making any commitment.

Get in touch to arrange your consultation or find out more about personal training with James.

📍 Elemental Fitness, Bramley, Leeds

📱 Call or WhatsApp: 07960 851 352

📧 [email protected]

Elemental Fitness – Personalised Coaching. Sustainable Progress. Lasting Results.