AP-Function- Personal Trainer

AP-Function- Personal Trainer Personal Trainer | AP-Function. Helping people to build strength, confidence, and habits that last.

09/09/2026

A friend sent me this exercise as a challenge…

I rate my core strength pretty highly, so naturally I thought I’ve got to give that a go. 😂

It doesn’t look that difficult on video.

Trust me — it is.

You’re essentially holding a plank while sliding a weight further and further away from your body. Every centimetre you reach increases the lever and the demand on your core.

Your abs, deep core, shoulders, lats and glutes all have to work together to keep your body controlled and stop your hips dropping and your lower back taking over.

It’s actually a super exercise and a serious test of anti-extension core strength, shoulder stability and full-body control.

But would I recommend it to everyone?

Absolutely not.

If you don’t already have a strong core and good control, I wouldn’t advise trying it. Once you can no longer hold your position, the risk starts to outweigh the benefit.

Would I incorporate it into my own regular training?

No chance. 😂

It’s far too challenging, and there are much safer ways of developing the same qualities. For me, the risk-to-reward just isn’t there.

But I’m very glad I tried it.

Because training shouldn’t always be serious. Sometimes it’s good to play, try something completely different, challenge yourself and see what your body is capable of.

Exercise should be fun too.

And if you’ve already got a strong core and fancy taking on the challenge…

Give it a go and send me the video. 😂

I’ll be seriously impressed if you can get that plate all the way out and back under control.

It might not look much on camera, but believe me…

THIS IS SERIOUSLY TOUGH. 💪

AP-Function PT
Train for your future.

02/09/2026

Bruce Lee was famous for his incredible core strength, and one exercise he helped make famous was the Dragon Flag 🐉

I’m a huge believer that core strength is one of the most important foundations of fitness — for strength, stability, movement, posture and athletic performance.

So naturally… I had to give this one a go!

And that’s another side of training I think is really important — exercise should be fun.

Be playful with your training. Try new things. Challenge yourself. Learn new skills. You don’t have to follow exactly the same routine, week after week.

Keeping training varied and exciting is one of the best ways to stay motivated and actually enjoy being fit.

Looking back at the video, I’m pretty happy with it. There are a few little adjustments to make before I nail it, but that’s part of the fun — you don’t have to be perfect to give something a go.

Train hard. Keep learning. And don’t forget to enjoy it. 💪🐉

Made this last minute for my son, who’s vegan 🌱 — using whatever I had available in the fridge and cupboard.And the impo...
29/08/2026

Made this last minute for my son, who’s vegan 🌱 — using whatever I had available in the fridge and cupboard.

And the important bit? I didn’t have to compromise on my own recovery nutrition.

Your post-workout meal doesn’t always have to contain meat. A well-planned whole-food vegan meal can give you plenty of protein, quality carbs, healthy fats and micronutrients to support recovery.

🌱 Warm Veggie & Black Bean Bowl with Creamy Lemon-Tahini Dressing

The bowl:
🥑 Sweet potato & aubergine
🫑 Red pepper & red onion
🍅 Tomatoes
🫘 Black beans
🌿 Spinach
🥑 Fresh avocado
🧄 Garlic, EVOO, smoked paprika, cumin, chilli & lemon/lime

Creamy Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
Tahini + fresh lemon juice + garlic + water + EVOO + cumin + a pinch of salt & chilli flakes.

🔥 Roast the vegetables at 200°C until tender, then stir through the black beans and spinach.

🥑 Top with avocado and that creamy tahini dressing.

Serve with a warm piadina or corn tortillas if you want some extra carbs.

Why it works so well after training:

💪 Plant-based protein — black beans + tahini help support muscle repair
🍠 Quality carbohydrates — sweet potato and flatbread help replenish glycogen
🥑 Healthy fats — avocado, EVOO and tahini provide nutrient-dense fats
🌿 Micronutrient rich — loads of fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from the vegetables, beans and greens

Real food. Simple ingredients. Proper nutrition. 👌

And probably the best part… it was made from what was already in the kitchen.

18/08/2026

🚨 WHY TOES-TO-BAR BELONGS IN YOUR ROUTINE

Think Toes-to-Bar is just a flashy gym move? Think again.

It’s one of the most underrated full-body strength and control builders you can train.

🏋️‍♂️ WHAT IT ACTUALLY BUILDS

Not just abs — a full system:

● 🧠 Core control under movement
● ✊ Grip strength (real-life carryover)
● 🏋️ Lat strength + posture
● 🤸 Hip flexor strength + mobility
● ⚖️ Shoulder stability in a hang
● 🔄 Full-body coordination under fatigue

It’s not an ab exercise — it’s integration training.

🌍 WHY IT MATTERS OUTSIDE THE GYM

This carries over everywhere:

● Easier lifting, carrying, and daily tasks
● Better posture from stronger core + lats
● Fewer awkward movement injuries
● Stronger grip = better overall health + longevity

If you can control your body in a hang, you control it better in life.

⏳ STAYING STRONG AS YOU AGE

Toes-to-Bar helps maintain:

● Shoulder function
● Hip mobility
● Spinal control
● Grip strength for independence

It keeps you capable, active, and resilient long-term.

🔄 WHY VARIETY STILL MATTERS

No single movement is enough.

A strong body needs:

🏋️ Strength
🏃 Conditioning
💥 Power
🤸 Mobility
⚖️ Stability
✊ Grip
🧠 Coordination

Life is unpredictable — your training shouldn’t be one-dimensional.

💥 FINAL THOUGHT

Toes-to-Bar isn’t about looking impressive.

It’s about building a body that can hang, control, and adapt when it matters most.

That’s real fitness.

16/08/2026

Today’s Small Steps, Tomorrow’s Strength
You don’t need a massive, grueling workout to change your life—you just need to start where you are and push a tiny bit further. Progress isn't about overnight transformation; it's about making small investments in your future self every single day.
If you can only take 10 steps today, aim for 11. If walking up that hill feels tough, know that the discomfort you feel now is building the strength, mobility, and resilience you will rely on 5 to 10 years down the road. Keep showing up for yourself.
Start at your level: Do what your body can handle right now, whether that's walking, using a stick, or moving with assistance.
Move with intent: Don't just go through the motions; push yourself with purpose.
Build incrementally: Aim for just a little bit more today than you did yesterday.
Invest in your future: Small, consistent efforts today protect your independence, keep you mobile, and prevent pain tomorrow.
What is one small step you will take today to push your limit?

If you love hummus, try my high-protein superfood version.Packed with protein, healthy fats and gut-friendly fibre, it’s...
15/08/2026

If you love hummus, try my high-protein superfood version.

Packed with protein, healthy fats and gut-friendly fibre, it’s ready in just 5 minutes.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple, whole-food ingredients, you can make a dip that’s full of flavour and far more nutritious than many shop-bought alternatives.

Ingredients
• ½ tin chickpeas (well rinsed)
• ½ block feta
• 2 heaped tbsp Greek yogurt
• ½ ripe avocado
• 1 clove garlic
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Pinch of chilli flakes
• Celtic sea salt
• A generous slug of extra virgin olive oil

Simply blitz everything together until you reach your preferred texture.

Enjoy it on toasted sourdough, in a wrap, with fresh vegetables, alongside ripe tomatoes and olives, as a dip for tortilla chips, or as part of a charcuterie board. My personal favourite? Peter’s Yard sourdough crackers – clean, natural ingredients.

Per generous serving (½ recipe):
• 350 kcal
• 15g protein
• 25g healthy fats
• 17g carbohydrates
• 6g fibre

Why it’s good for you:
💪 High in protein to support muscle maintenance and keep you fuller for longer.
🥑 Rich in healthy fats to support heart, brain and hormone health.
🌱 Full of fibre to nourish your gut microbiome and support stable energy.
🍋 Made with real, whole-food ingredients and no unnecessary additives or preservatives.

Simple food. Real ingredients. Great taste. That’s nutrition done properly.

14/08/2026

The Turkish Get-Up... it may not be your conventional gym exercise, but here’s why it’s one worth considering. 🏋️‍♂️✨
When most people think of gym training, they picture benches, squat racks, and machines moving in straight lines. But real life isn't linear—it's dynamic, unpredictable, and multi-directional.
Here is why adding this unconventional movement to your routine is a total game-changer:
True Functional Strength: It trains one of the most fundamental human patterns: getting yourself up off the floor efficiently while under control.
Shoulder Stability: Holding a load steady overhead through a full 360-degree range of motion builds resilient, injury-proof shoulders.
Total-Body Core Engagement: Every muscle between your shoulders and hips has to fire continuously to keep you balanced—no lazy reps allowed.
Mind-Muscle Coordination: Because it’s a multi-step movement, it keeps your workouts engaging and sharpens your balance, mobility, and focus.
If you want a body that not only looks strong but moves effortlessly in the real world, it's time to step outside the usual routine.
Have you ever tried a Turkish Get-Up in your training? Let me know below! 👇

This is my idea of convenience food. 👌Quick, cost-effective, easy — and seriously healthy.Food your body and mind will t...
13/08/2026

This is my idea of convenience food. 👌

Quick, cost-effective, easy — and seriously healthy.

Food your body and mind will thank you for.

We’ve been conditioned to think convenience food comes in a plastic tray or a takeaway bag, but real food can be just as quick.

Thinking outside the box in the kitchen doesn’t mean cooking something complicated. Most of the time, simple food is hands-down the best. 🤌

Today was a perfect example.

I marinated some lamb chops in a Turkish-style marinade before heading to the gym. When I got back, I raided the fridge and found some leftover cooked potatoes and an aubergine that needed using.

15 minutes later… bish, bash, bosh. 💥

The aubergine was salted, dried and pan-fried until golden, then I added shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, anchovies and chopped tomato.

In went the lightly crushed potatoes, followed by olives and capers for that salty, tangy kick.

Finished with fresh parsley and sweet roasted peppers, then served alongside the juicy lamb chops.

Simple. Fresh. Nutritious. Delicious.

No fancy gadgets. No highly processed supermarket meals. No complicated recipes.

Just real food, using what was already in the fridge.

Convenience food doesn’t have to be ultra-processed. Sometimes the best fast food is the food you make yourself. 💪

12/08/2026

Building A Body That Lasts:
Why This Training Matters For Everyone..
All the success in the world isn’t much fun if you’re living in pain or restricted by poor mobility.
When it comes to long-term health, standard gym routines often leave out crucial planes of movement. Incorporating dynamic, multi-directional exercises—like Cossack Squats—is how you unlock full-body functional strength and protect your joints for the long haul.
🏋️‍♂️ Why You Need Multi-Directional Strength in Your Program
Unlocking True Mobility: Life doesn’t just happen in a straight line. Moving side-to-side opens up tight hips and ankles, restoring dynamic movement where most people feel stiff.
Building Joint Resilience: Strengthening the inner thighs, knees, and stabilizers under control creates a protective shield against everyday twists, strains, and injuries.
Aging with Capability: Maintaining deep single-leg power and hip flexibility keeps you moving independently, pain-free, and confident at any age.
⏳ Invest in Your Movement Today
Training isn’t just about how you look next week; it’s about how you feel next decade. Prioritizing mobility, balance, and variety now ensures you can keep doing what you love without limitations.
Drop a comment below if you’re ready to start training for longevity! 👇
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🥬 SPINACH, RICOTTA & PARMESAN FRITTATAHealthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. And it certainly doesn’t have to be...
09/08/2026

🥬 SPINACH, RICOTTA & PARMESAN FRITTATA

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. And it certainly doesn’t have to be boring.

This is one of my go-to meals when I want something quick, nutritious and made with proper ingredients.

The best bit? 15 minutes from start to finish. No preparation the night before, no meal planning — just throw it together and cook.

🥚 WHAT YOU NEED

• 4 free-range eggs
• 175g ricotta
• 150g double cream
• 75g Parmesan
• Cooked spinach
• Real salt & black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil

👨‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE IT

Whisk the eggs, then combine with the ricotta, cream, Parmesan and cooked spinach. Season with salt and pepper.

Warm a cast-iron frying pan over moderate heat and add a generous slug of extra virgin olive oil.

Pour in the mixture and gently cook the frittata until it’s almost set.

Put a lid on to help cook the top, or pop it into a hot oven for a few minutes to finish.

Don’t overcook it — it will continue cooking once you take it off the heat.

Serve warm with a simple tomato, red onion & herb salad and another drizzle of EVOO. 🍅🌿

💪 WHY I LIKE IT

🥚 Complete, high-quality protein
🥬 Spinach for fibre, folate and vitamins
🧀 Ricotta & Parmesan for protein and calcium
🫒 Extra virgin olive oil for healthy fats
🌱 Simple, whole-food ingredients

15 minutes. No planning. No complicated recipes. Just real food that tastes bloody good.

Healthy eating isn’t complicated.

Nor is it boring. 💪🥬

AP-Function | Personal Training • Health • Wellbeing

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Ross On Wye
HR9 5BP

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