Rafael's Story | Choose Progress

From team sports to training members

For Raph, movement has always been driven by the pursuit of a collective goal.

Inspired by playing and coaching American Football, Raph learned early on that motivating a team and seeing players achieve their goals together was his ultimate passion. This drive led him to Fitness First, where he’s served for 10 years, first as a Personal Trainer and now as Fitness Manager at Bishopsgate.

Raph’s unique perspective comes from understanding the minimal gains that separate the good from the great. He knows that top athletes are always chasing a tiny 2% improvement, a margin easily lost by wrong programming or intensity. This is why he champions able - a "game changer" that removes the margin for error.

able acts as a flawless coach for everyone. For the beginner, it sets the perfect pace without overwhelming them, and for the pro, its Isokinetic and Adaptive modes ensure optimal time under tension, preventing the use of momentum that can mask weaknesses in traditional weightlifting.

Rafael defines success not by a finished product, but by the little victories along the way. When a member achieves a small win, like dropping body fat (as one member did while getting back to Jiu-Jitsu) or gaining the confidence to challenge the coach, that victory becomes a reference point. These small successes allow members to keep driving toward the final goal, even when they hit a failure.

His advice to everyone is to define their own "idea of fit," get scanned, and get started. His deep belief in the Fitness First community stems from its mission to keep members and help them on their journey not treat them like a revolving door.

From coaching on the football field to guiding members through precision training, Rafael’s story proves that progress is achieved by embracing the process, valuing every tiny step, and choosing the right tools to guarantee that every ounce of effort contributes to a lasting change.

At Fitness First, we believe progress isn't linear, results don't come from quick fixes, it's about showing up, again and again. It's not about perfection, it's about progress. Every rep, every class, every choice adds up to real change. Because when you choose progress, you don't just change your body - you change what you believe is possible.