Margarita is a calm, intuitive, knowledgeable woman who offered a space of healing and rest for myself. I worked with margarita through a time of crisis in my life. I was extracting my self from a long term abusive relationship,  and living with many external responsibilities and internal trauma that I was carrying with in my body and mind . With out talking as you would a counsellor ( we did little talking ) margarita knew. Her intuition and ability know how and where to work is a gift. It was a gift I gave my self. I felt safe with her, that trust has been important in my healing, because it is very easy to cut off from your body and not feel but it remembers, and carries it, holds on to it.. margarita worked with me so I could move forward.. to today and today is good .

Lara B, Brighton

While passing through Brighton last year, I was referred to Margarita for a massage and thankfully took my friends advice. I have worked in the health field for 20+ years and I am often reluctant to get massages from unknown practitioners, as they often lack even a back understanding of physiology. Margarita is quite a special in that she has a deep knowledge base, and is both interested and passion about physical recovery. It would be wrong to categorise what she does as a simply 'massage', as she is, in the truest sense of the word, a healer. It was one of the most relaxing massages I've ever received, but most importantly, in one session she was able to make lasting corrections to a long standing shoulder issue I've had. She is incredibly kind and caring, and I would like to pass on that very lucky recommendation I received a year ago, as it was more then deserved. Anthony Lucero, USA

Anthony Lucero, USA

Its very hard to put this experience into words. I have had opportunity to meet Margarita during my second visit to Brighton. She is an intuitive and connected therapist, figures out need of body and works according to it. During my massage session, I could feel strong tangible flow of energies into my body, which healed me of every minor stiffness and other energy blockages. I can happily recommend her to anyone who wants a deeper experience of massage therapy. Thank you Margarita. Blessings, Vipin

Vipin, Himalays

Margarita is a special person. She is kind , gentle and very professional. Thanks to her treatment I no longer have painful knees , and have therefore stopped the medication I was taking regularly. After a massage by her you feel as if walking on air . I have recommended her to lots of my friends and they are delighted. Penny B, Brighton & Hove

Penny B, Brighton & Hove

I continued to see Margarita for post-natal classes after my baby was born. These, too, are great classes as they help your body heal and get back into shape with a special focus on the areas that need particular attention after childbirth - for example, I learnt how to hold my abdominal muscles while lifting things so as to allow them to heal and reconnect. I can't recommend these classes enough. I'm still attending, and intend to continue in any future pregnancies!

Lorraine

I did weekly prenatal classes with Margarita from my fifth month of pregnancy right up to a few weeks before my baby was born. The classes were great. They really helped me to maintain gentle fitness and ensure I did all the right kind of movements and stretches while pregnant. Margarita knows the anatomy incredibly well and would give us individual attention based on our particular needs or how difficult we'd find each exercise. She never pushed us beyond what we could comfortably manage and each class was a good mixture between a gentle work out and relaxation. Towards the end of my pregnancy, margarita also helped with positions that could help me relax at home and relieve the pressure I felt in my pelvis, but also positions that I could use during labour in order to keep moving, stay as comfortable as possible and also help the baby on its way!

Lorraine

I just wanted to say a massive "Thankyou" to you for running the competition and choosing me as the winner for this fantastic prize. I suffered from diastasis after my pregnancy, and Margarita's sessions were perfect for helping to rehabilitate me. She has so much knowledge about this, and I found her tuition far more valuable in my recovery than anything I got from the physio I had been referred to.

Paula, Brighton

Margarita's Deep Tissue Massage is an amazing experience. Her sessions are a perfect combination of therapeutic manipulation and wonderful relaxation and are truly invigorating. I could literally feel my blood flow increasing at great speed. Margarita has sound knowledge of anatomy and tailors her sessions to perfection‎. I left the room feeling brand new!

Suzie Valerio

I have lived in Brighton for a long time and seen several different people for massages, but I wouldn't go anywhere else now after receiving a fantastic massage from Margarita. The massage was the perfect combination of relaxation and remedial deep tissue massage to relieve my aches and pains. Margarita is very knowledgeable and intuitive especially when it comes to female bodies. I would recommend Margarita to all mums and mums to be!

Rachael, Hove

I started seeing Margarita 2/3 times a week for SPD and general pelvis and back discomfort during my second pregnancy. I really suffered with my first so I was determined to find a solution to help me this time around. Margarita literally has a magic touch, there were times where even walking was uncomfortable but every treatment made the day to day things easier. I don't know what I would do without her, so much so that I still have monthly treatments and my little one is 5 months old. I would recommend Margarita to anyone during pregnancy, even if you have no discomfort, her treatments leave you feeling like a new woman and who doesn't want that feeling when they're growing a tiny human! Thank you Margarita!

Sara Kuehne

Margarita helped me prepare for a major surgery and recover from it. It all went really well. I also felt supported and understood throughout the whole process. She’s superb. I can’t recommend her massages enough!

Ingrid, Hove

“Me and my wife have been visiting Margarita for some training and it has been working out great. Margarita’s enthusiasm is infectious! She is an amazing motivator. She makes you feel comfortable instantly and wastes no time getting you to where you need to be. I started seeing results very quickly and felt like the regime she had tailored for me was perfect. After a few sessions I started to learn to motivate myself both in and outside of the sessions. She makes you feel good when you out the effort in and is a pleasure to be around, I look forward to the sessions. I can recommend going as a couple if that is an option, it is good fun with Margarita.” Pete, Brighton

Peter, Brighton

“Can’t recommend Maggie enough; she has set me on the right path to slowly lose weight and keep it off by alternate walk/jogging and gradually I am building up a routine that works for me following the programmes she designed.” Thank you very much I love my fitness!”

Judy Boulton-Lea, 60 yrs South of France

‘I work all day at a desk on a computer so wanted to do something that would help build my inner strength and help my posture, a friend told me that Pilates could help.  I really enjoyed the initial taster session that Margarita offered and signed up for regular classes straight away, I’m now doing Pilates classes twice a week. Margarita gets to know each of our individual strengths and weaknesses and will recommend alternative ways of doing the exercises based on this to suit our individual needs. I always enjoy the classes and leave feeling energised. Margarita is a great instructor who is full of energy and makes the classes motivating, energetic and fun, I couldn’t recommend her more highly as an instructor.’

Sally, Hove Web Designer

“I have done many different exercise in the past, but I have never met such a brilliant and knowledgeable trainer as margarita. The sessions are fun but challenging and she concentrates on what mums needs to tone!!! She really watches your technique this makes sure you will tone quicker and without injury. Previously I had attended different Pilates classes, but found them boring and not challenging, margarita uses a lot of Pilates in her sessions, I now really enjoy Pilates and can see a difference in my body already!!!!”

Emma – Hugos mum (Brighton)

“I found out about Margarita’s class on NetMums and it sounded exactly what i had been looking for, a way to get my body back into shape after having my baby Six Months ago. Margarita’s classes are amazing! after just two classes I started to see a real difference in how toned I was. The class is a blend of a flipping’ good work out (aka warm up!) and Pilates and as Margarita keeps the classes to a small number she can give you lots of feedback about how to make sure you’re in the right position/posture etc I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to get their body back into shape. Even though you will feel the pain! Margarita is lovely and the results are worth it  )

Andrea and Finlay, Brighton

“I initially started with 10 personal training sessions with Margarita. During the first session we formed a great rapport. Her first assessment was detailed. I suffer from a bad lower back and hip, predominantly work related. Margarita took this into account and specifically tailored each session to help improve my posture and core stability, whilst taking into account my need for a cardiovascular workout in order tone and lose weight. She adjusted the sessions accordingly always explaining why, which I found extremely helpful. Margarita is a great motivator, enthusiastic and is knowledgeable about what she does (which I found very reassuring). What I found most beneficial is her ability to integrate Pilates with her personal training sessions. In the 10 sessions I found that my fitness, posture and core stability improved beyond a level I expected. Margarita gives great advice and sets realistic goals. In addition, she recommended a great osteopath to work with in conjunction to my training with her. This worked amazingly to help improve my training sessions with her. I was so pleased with the results; I booked a further block of 10 sessions (would love to have booked more but I moved to Australia), definitely worth it. Margarita is an amazing trainer with a fantastic personality. She is dedicated and really takes time and effort to ensure that you succeed in your aims. She does this with a smile and humour, I always looked forward to her session, despite how tired or exhausted I was. Whether you are looking to lose weight, improve your general tone, strengthen your core stability, or all three (which is what I wanted), I would definitely recommend Margarita – She does it all whilst making it fun at the same time. ”

Shaheen Dixon (Radiologist OZ)

“I’ve been working with Margarita for just over six months. I have never been ‘into’ exercise and never saw myself as being a fit person. After having twins I developed continual backache and pains down both legs, which I resigned myself was how I would always be. I was recommended Margarita by a friend and what started as me wanting to lose a little weight has turned into a completely new way of thinking about myself. Margarita did a postural assessment and quickly realised the sort of exercise that I needed to do. I hadn’t intended my sessions with her to stop the backache and other pains but within a couple of weeks I realised that I wasn’t waking up in the night feeling uncomfortable any more. Six months later and I realise that I actually love doing exercise and that I genuinely look forward to my sessions with Margarita. She is very realistic about what a busy mum can do and doesn’t put pressure on; instead she is motivating, warm and encouraging. I go at my own pace and it is so satisfying to see the little bit more I can do each time, and how my body is changing. I feel very lucky to have found her and would definitely recommend anyone, particularly mums, to go to her sessions.”

Robyn Adams, Mum of 3

“Training with Margarita has been great fun! I have had three babies back to back, they are six, four and eighteen months. After having my third I literally felt like i’d been in a car crash! My back, neck and shoulders were constantly aching, and although I am lucky to have never been over weight, I had gained a tyre around my middle which I was incredibly self concious and unhappy about. I joined a gym which has been great but I mainly stuck to classes as I found the advice and guidance or the gym instructors completely useless. This is where Margarita has really helped me out. She assessed me and told me exactly what was wrong with me, and where I was out of alignment. However, most importantly she has showed me the right excercises I need to do to correct my problems. It has been amazing, my back, neck and shoulders are nearly back to normal and my tyre has almost gone. I feel stronger and have loads more energy, and can see my body shape changing, which is really rewarding. I have found a new love for fitness which I never had before! I love going to the gym now, thank you Margarita.”

Natalia Perkins, Hove

Margarita is a great motivator, enthusiastic and is knowledgeable about what she does.

Aye, Mum of two, Hove

“I have been training with Maggie since the summer last year when I fell pregnant with my second baby. It was amazing training with her as she pushed me hard and new how far to go. I suffered badly from Symphys Pubis Disorder with my first pregnancy and I was really worried it was going to come back. Halfway through my pregnancy I started getting tinges of SPD but Margarita knew exactly how to help and it stopped as soon as I started implementing the advice that she gave me. I had a fab pregnancy throughout, I now have a beautiful 4 month baby boy and I am still training with Maggie. I am happily losing the lbs and my core strength is gradually getting better. I love training with Maggie as she knows exactly how far to push me!”

Juliette Kenda , Brighton (mum of 4yrs old and 4 month old boys)

“I never thought that at the age of 84 I would be having one to one sessions with a Personal Trainer but after speaking with Margarita I had to give it a go. I explained how I was having problems with my pelvic floor. My GP had said that it was old age and I should just accept that this is the way it will be. Margarita on the other hand said the pelvic floor is a muscle and like all muscles they can be strengthen and improved. I saw her for 8 weeks, she took me through various core exercises as well as pelvic floor exercises and now I do them at home every day and my pelvic floor is much stronger. I no longer have that sense of urgency that would always send me into a panic.”

Beata 84yrs (Hove)

“Invaluable advice!! thanks so much for coming over! Margarita definitely has made me think about my posture, and I have been doing the exercises, and pelvic floor exercises every day.”

Jess Haggerty (4 months pregnant in Brighton)

“I started working out with Margarita Bennett about four months after having my second child. I’d found it hard to lose the baby weight after this particular pregnancy (I’m 5ft1” and normally a size 8-10, but had just had an 11lb baby) so I’d pretty much assumed my bikini days were over! Then Margarita came along and changed all of that. Not only did she change my body shape, my energy levels and also my rate of fitness, but she also completely altered my attitude to exercise – and I’d thought all of that was impossible! If I could give any woman any piece of advice it is this: Don’t buy that dress or that cake or that nail polish. Instead, treat yourself to some one-to-one workouts with Margarita. Why? Because, in the long run, it will be money better spent. I worked bloody hard for one hour a week (all the time I could spare as a busy mum) but it really worked. After each workout, Margarita gave me lots of nutritional advice too. I really appreciated this and I have to say that the two things combined were the recipe for getting fit, slim and healthy. Lots of trainers might specialise in women’s fitness, but Margarita just seems to know exactly what needs to be done to put things back together again. If you get a chance to sign up for training with Margarita, just do it (because she gets booked up pretty quickly and her sessions are gold dust). Working out with her gave me the right balance of encouragement and good results. It changed my life because she made me want to exercise.” “Incidentally, in my first five weeks of working out with Margarita, I lost 5” off my waist. She’s amazing.”

Jessica Harvey 32 (mother of two young healthy strapping boys)

“Margarita single handedly taught me the importance of core strength which has rippled through all areas of my fitness and every day posture. Fantastic teacher! Through her sessions I realised that in the past, I was doing most of my exercises wrong and to no effect.”  

Aye, Mum of two, Hove

"I can’t thank you enough for all your help, support and above all, making it fun and personal. You have done wonders and I always tell people how fab you are. Will definitely be back for more if we are lucky enough to have a baby number 2."

Lorraine, Hove

"Margaritas sessions are fantastic and a lesson both me and my baby really look forward to each week. They are excellent if you are keen to get back in to shape but want to do this with your baby and so encouraging play and bonding. The classes are small with emphasis on tailoring sessions to the individuals and babies present. I started the classes when my daughter was 3 months old. She loves the classes whether she is watching the other babies, the other mums or participating as a weight for my exercises!! Margarita is a great motivator and has been fantastic helping me get in shape."

Kim, Hove

“Margarita has the ability to make a tired, lumpy, worn out new Mum feel like she has a real chance at getting her swagger back. The workouts are enjoyably hard and carefully designed to concentrate on the areas that pregnancy has taken its toll. She is an incredible motivator and instils the belief that getting back to your pre-pregnancy figure and energy levels, is not far off. She is also very good company along the way and empathetic having two young children of her own, although don’t expect her to go soft as she has your goal in sight even if you are not clear what it is yet! You will learn to love the plank and all exercises involving an inflatable ball.”

Karen Covic mum of a beautiful little girl

‘This class was exactly what I was looking for – a class that you can take a baby to and actually do some exercise. Time is so precious as a mum so a class specifically aimed at key bits for post-natal women of varied levels of fitness is fantastic. I hadn’t exercised in 3 years after the birth of my son and am so delighted this class exists after my second child. Margarita is inspiring, motivating and understanding. So much that I decided to have one to one sessions too! It’s really great to focus on yourself a bit having had a baby.’

Cas, Hove

“Margaritas energy and attitude to fitness is contagious! I was never into my fitness but training with her has made me love it!

Maria, Hove (mum of two 4 & 2)

“After a stressful year in 2011, I put on the pounds rather quickly gaining a whole stone in a matter of months. By Christmas I went from a size 10/12 to a size 12/14 (sometimes a 16) and for a 5’7” 17 year old , this was just horrible! Being overweight was really depressing and it was made worse when my friends and family began noticing my weight gain. Although they meant no harm, their comments played in my mind so I began FAD dieting and going to the gym 5 days a week. This didn’t help at all as anything I lost was gained back the following week. I’m addicted to snacking so I tried swapping my usual snacks with ‘healthy’ products like oat bars and Actimel etc. After ‘dieting’ for two months or so and no significant weight loss, I decided to enlist the help of a personal trainer. All the PT sites I came across seemed alright but charged hefty fees for their services. Fortunately, I found Margarita Bennett (Maggie) who replied to all my inquiries really fast and set up a consultation for the following day. Maggie is very friendly as well as professional in what she does. In less than 4 sessions (over 2 weeks) I had lost 3lbs and inches everywhere! Her nutrition plans are realistic and are personalised so that they’re easy to follow and most importantly: maintain! I would definitely recommend Margaritas services as she is professional as well as easy to work with!”

Miss Daniel, Brighton (Student)