Discover Training

The "Doorman fallacy" is the error of reducing a human role to its most simple, obvious task and thinking that by replicating this task you are replicating the entire role. e.g. replacing a doorman with an automatic door then losing all the real but "intagible" value that comes with having a human do the job.

I see a similar error all the time when people mistake a training program for coaching.

The obvious task of a coach is to write the plan; sets, reps, exercises, progressions etc. Easy to copy, generate or download for free.

The real job is everything that sits around the obvious bit:
⚾️ Noticing and ASKING how you are that day; energy, stress, pain, confidence, mood etc and adjusting accordingly.
🏀Picking the right dose: push hard, stick to the plan, or back off.
🏐Spotting the rep that looks fine today but will bite you in 6 weeks when a bad habit  has become your technique.
🏈Making small technical changes that turn a movement from an exercise into focused practice and real training.
🏉Adjusting cueing strategies and even inventing new, personal ones for when you're not understanding something.
⚽️Choosing what matters right now instead of what the plan says.
🥎Providing accountability so you'll show up and build consistency.
🎾Believing in you when your self-belief waivers, building confidence.

So yes, I can give you a program, you can get one for free on Google or AI and you can find any exercise on Youtube.

But none of that is coaching. Coaching is a relationship.

It’s the feedback, accountability, and the human "intangibles" that come with another person in the room.  A person who has the empathy to put you at the centre of the training and the skills to help you forge your own, unique path towards the goals that matter to you.

A program is a map. Coaching is an experienced guide, walking the path with you and teaching you how to navigate in the real world, through bad weather, impassible routes, detours, bad decisions, and unexpected events.

It's an arm around your shoulder and a voice saying "c'mon I'll show you".


📷

"Be strong to be helpful".

Campbell Letham (my Grandpa and army PT during WW2) and Georges Hèbert. Two men who have probably had the biggest influence on how I think about training; most easily summed up by Hèbert's motto, quoted above.

If all your effort, discipline and “self-improvement” only ever point inward, you haven’t improved anything that matters. Self improvement isn't improvement at all if it's just all about you.

A fit body, big muscles and heavy lifts are just fancy baubles without the strength of character to use them to make the world a better place.

Help someone move furniture, change a tyre at the roadside, help a parent lift a buggy on/off a train or up/down stairs, just be calm and present when someone vulnerable feels unsafe, carry shopping for someone, hold open a heavy door or gate. Even in the gym; spot someone, help them load/unload their equipment, commend their effort, even if how they train makes no sense to you. Especially then.

Carry the burden when others can't, support those that are struggling even if it seems small and insignificant. Do it for the person closest to you or a complete stranger. It all makes a difference. These days more than ever, when platforms like this one reward what looks impressive and what's easiest to show, but which is rarely what matters most.

Train to have the capability to help. Practice having the decency to try.

***BDFPA British 2025***

Personal bests and great results all round but not without some squeaky bum moments too! A rollercoaster of a day but and made me super proud as a coach watching them take everything in their stride. All 3 have trained with tenacity, discipline and consistency over the last 7 months to make what was the first national competition for Anne Marie and Carol and the first one in a looong time for Meg. I couldn't have asked more from them in training and I can't wait to see what they do next. Special thanks goes to number 1 fans and Darragh for the "Supergran" and team t-shirts 💪💪💪

(Unfortunately the only videos I have are of deadlifts and for some reason, Anne-Marie's was filmed on a potato 🤷‍♂️🥔)

Meg
Sq: 120kg Bp: 60kg Dl: 152.5kg
2nd place M1, 4th on the platform

Carol
Sq:120kg Bp:70kg Dl:150kg
1st place M1, 3rd on the platform

Anne Marie
Sq:70kg Bp:47.5kg Dl:107.5kg
1st place M4, 8th on the platform

As always the competition was efficiently run, welcoming and supportive. The venue was proudly provided by our very own home gym . Long may that partnership continue. Well done all involved

Great beginners log workshop today with and

It can be intimidating trying something new, especially something so different from what you're normally used to, but everyone got stuck in and by the end managed to clean the big 45kg log!

One of the biggest underrated skills in strongman training is the ability to quickly figure out the best way to life heavy, awkward objects because the equipment isn't standardised. That has huge carryover to 'real world strength' and using different sizes and shapes of logs today hopefully everyone came away more confident in their ability to do just that.

If this is something you 'do like to try out then get in touch 👍💪

The Log Press isn't just for Strongmen!

The log is an iconic event in strongman competitions but it is no more ONLY for strongman athletes than the Squat, Bench press and Deadlift are ONLY for powerlifters.

The log lift is a powerhouse movement with serious benefits for lifters of all kinds:

1. Full-Body Strength & Conditioning:
Cleaning and pressing the log challenges your legs, core, back, and shoulders. Each rep is a full body effort and lots of reps will build your heart & lungs into a serious engine!

2. Explosive Power:
The log demands speed and control with heavy weight. Perfect for building explosiveness & power that transfers to other sports and general performance.

3. Shoulder Stability & Size:
The neutral grip and slightly higher starting position is more shoulder-friendly for some people and can help you build raw pressing strength and bigger delts without beating up your joints.

4. Core stability & Bracing:
The shape and size of the log forces you to brace hard and control your core under a heavy load in an awkward position. A skill which transfers over to real world strength you can use in and out the gym.

5. Mental Toughness:
There’s nothing quite like getting a heavy log overhead—it builds grit and focus under pressure.

6. FUN!:
Grabbing a log from the floor and putting it overhead like your favourite strongman or woman is different and engaging compared to what most people will regularly do in the gym. If you can keep training enjoyable, you'll keep training!

You don’t have to compete in strongman to benefit from training like one!

Ready to give it a go? We’ve got a beginner log workshop coming up on Sat the 14th of June at JP'Gym —DM us for details!

BDFPA Scottish Open 2024: Meg

This was Meg's first competition back after 3 years of pain in her wrists and arms due to thoracic outlet syndrome, prolonged and exacerbated by a series of misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments, and her last opportunity to compete as a senior before moving into the masters category. A year ago she couldn't hold a barbell without straps and wasn't sure she'd ever compete again but decided to go for it with only about 9 weeks to train. Nae pressure then 😏! Luckily, Meg loves the heat and pressure of competition day and finished first in her class with an equal PB squat and an all time PB deadlift. The biggest win however, was being back on the platform, pain free and having a blast. Smashed it.

Squat: 115kg
Bench press: 62.5kg
Deadlift: 165kg

BDFPA UK Masters 2024: Carol

This was Carol's 3 time on the platform, and while the day was a bit of a mixed bag, she STILL managed to nab the trophy for best lifter! Her first 2 squat attempts were missed on depth but with the whole room behind her (and on the mic!) she sunk it low on the last attempt and got a lift on the board. First 2 bench press attempts were fine but failed the 3rd on a slight downward movement. Similar story with the deadlifts, that last attempt just wouldn't go! A very successful and fun day overall but some lessons learned for the next competition.

Not every competition goes 100% to plan but there's something to be learned at all of them. Carol is one of the most diligent and consistent lifters I know and seconds after leaving the platform we were discussing the changes needed and the plan for the next meet day.

Squat: 117.5kg
Bench press: 70kg
Deadlift: 127.5kg

Awesome job , that last squat took some guts and more than just physical strength, lets carry that through to the next one 💪

BDFPA UK Masters: Anne-Marie.

This was Anne-Marie's first time on the platform, dipping her toe into the world of Powerlifting. As with most first time competitors, the goals were simply to go 9 for 9 and hopefully enjoy the experience 🤞, which she did but also managed to pull out PBs on both the Squat and Deadlift despite some pre-lifting nerves!

Anyone who has seen Anne-Marie train in the gym knows she's not only strong but stronger than even she gives herself credit for. There's no hiding on the platform however and she clearly has a strong future in whatever she does next! Amazing achievement to step under the bar Well done!

Squat: 67.5kg
Bench Press: 47.kg
Deadlift: 100kg

It was a privilege to deliver a private seminar on the practical principles of the deadlift to to clients this morning. Everyone really engaged with the material, (even the weird snake analogies 😂🐍) and came away with something they can apply immediately to their training, whether it's in the gym themselves, a class or in a PT session with Matthew. We even had a couple of PBs!

This is one of my favourite things to do; collaborate with other professionals to help their clients grow in confidence with a lift that can be intimidating to a lot of people, yet done properly can have so many benefits, whichever variation you use.

Thanks for having me guys 🙏💪

Reposted from Deadlift seminar

If I tell clients how to deadlift they may forget

If I teach them they may remember

If I involve them they will learn.

Today we brought in derek budd who has taught numerous amounts of clients how to deadlift competitively Over the years so getting his help for my clients was a no brainier.

Showing us the cues, techniques and benefits of deadlifting

A number of big takeaways from this workout that will allow my clients to put into action ASAP.

Massive thanks to derek for help put this together.

Happy Halloween!!! 👻👹💀🎃

Great Iron Burgh class this morning with some heavy bench press, a Halloween party pump and some Zombie tag 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️