https://www.bearstrong.co.uk/onlinecoaching

Chris McNaghten Personal Training & Sports Therapy, Larne (2026)

13/04/2026

Trap muscles — powerful, overworked, and often misunderstood.

Most people think traps are just those visible muscles sitting on top of your shoulders (think that iconic Bane look 👀), but in reality, they run much further down your back than you might expect.

Daily habits like work, driving, and constantly being on your phone (hello, “tech neck”) can cause these muscles to tighten, leading to discomfort, pain, and even small strains or tears. That pain can show up anywhere from your neck and shoulders to right between your shoulder blades.

The good news? This is incredibly common — and in many cases, it’s a quick and straightforward fix with the right treatment.

Don’t put up with unnecessary pain or discomfort when relief could be simple.

Drop me a message today to book in for sports therapy or massage treatment 💬

10/04/2026

Most beginners get strength training WRONG… and it holds them back for years.

If you’re just starting out, focus on what actually builds long-term strength 👇

1️⃣ Don’t rush to max out
Earn it. Build your technique first, stay patient, and your numbers will come.

2️⃣ Understand strength vs power
Strength is your foundation. Power comes after. Get strong first.

3️⃣ The right coach matters
Average guidance = average results. Learn from people who’ve actually done it.

4️⃣ Master the basics
The strongest athletes dominate fundamentals. No shortcuts.

5️⃣ Your CNS is everything
If your recovery is poor, your progress will be too. Train hard—but recover smarter.

Strength training isn’t about ego—it’s about consistency, patience, and doing the simple things right over time.

Save this post so you don’t forget 👊
Tag someone who’s just starting their journey 💪

07/04/2026

READY TO BUILD STRENGTH, TRANSFORM YOUR BODY & LEVEL UP YOUR PERFORMANCE?

Training with weights isn’t just about lifting heavy—it’s about unlocking a stronger, healthier, more confident version of YOU.

🔥 Build muscle & increase strength
🔥 Burn body fat & improve tone
🔥 Boost performance & prevent injuries
🔥 Stay consistent with expert coaching

At Team Bear Strong, we make strength training effective, enjoyable, and results-driven. Whether you’re chasing performance goals, physique changes, or long-term health—we’ve got you covered.

👊 1-on-1 coaching tailored to YOU
👊 Proven training methods
👊 Real progress, week after week

📩 DM us “STRONG” to get started today
or click the link in bio to book your first session!

TrainStrong TeamBearStrong

05/04/2026

Real experience counts for a lot.

When you’ve done it yourself—over and over again—you gain something no textbook can teach. That lived experience allows you to guide clients with real confidence, because you’ve already walked the path you’re asking them to take.

Getting your own results matters. Training at the level you expect from your clients, and working with the same discipline you ask of them, builds credibility and trust. It also strengthens how you educate clients, because you understand not just the theory—but the reality.

Of course, formal education plays a huge role. Learning different methods of strength training is essential, because no two athletes are the same. A great coach adapts, not just instructs.

But what truly sets someone apart is time spent at a high level—years of being around elite performers, competing, refereeing, and building relationships with top athletes. When you surround yourself with high-level sport, you grow into it.

Those connections can become one of your greatest assets. Having a network of experienced, high-performing individuals—people who are still competing, some even at world-class level—means you’re never limited to just your own knowledge. You can reach out, learn, and bring that insight back to your clients.

That’s something most coaches simply can’t offer.

And building that network isn’t just about achievement—it’s about personality, consistency, kindness, and mutual respect.

02/04/2026

How I can help you to a monster deadlift!!

30/03/2026

I used to be 172kg.

Yeah… I was strong as hell. But honestly? I didn’t feel good day to day.

When I retired from strongman, I promised myself I’d never stay that size. It played a huge role in my sport — but it wasn’t healthy, and it definitely wasn’t smart.

Looking back, I wish I had been a more conditioned athlete when I competed. For too long, I hid behind the excuse of being a strength athlete to carry excess weight.

I’ll never forget when a friend and coach told me:
“Chris, you’re statically the strongest man in Ireland right now… but you move like a 3-legged bull.”

Yeah — that one hurt. But I needed to hear it.

Thankfully, in my later years competing, I leaned out, moved better, and felt healthier — and it made a huge difference.

Too many athletes still make the mistake of staying overweight and not addressing it early.

Here’s the truth:
Fat loss doesn’t need to be extreme.

Eat smart.
Train consistently.
Enjoy your weekends — but earn them.

When your diet and training are right, you’ll go further than you think.

The problem is when it becomes this massive, all-consuming thing — that’s when burnout hits.

Instead, let it run in the background of your life.
Stay disciplined. Stay in control.

That alone builds confidence, pride — and the results will come.

If you’re stuck and don’t know where to start…

DM me. Tell me what’s going on, and we’ll build a plan that actually works for you.

30/03/2026

Summer is coming in fast… and honestly, I know I’m not fully ready. But are you?

The past 6 months, my training hasn’t been as consistent as I’d like. I’ve dropped weight mainly through diet and about 70% effort in the gym — but I’ve still managed to lose over 70lbs in the last year.

Work’s been intense and needed more of my focus, and that’s life sometimes. But here’s the truth…

Even though I’m the lightest I’ve been in over 15 years, I’m still not fully happy with how I look when the clothes come off. And I know a lot of you feel the same heading into summer or a holiday.

The good news? It’s not too late.

All it takes is:
• Locking in
• Training 3–4 times a week
• Moving more in your spare time
• Being sensible with food

That still leaves you with 90% of your day to live your life.

Having a coach has been a game changer for me — keeping me accountable and on track.

If you want this summer to be the one where you feel confident, not self-conscious…

Drop me a message today 💬

Let’s get to work.

weightloss gymmotivation consistencyiskey healthylifestyle fitnesscoach confidenceboost getfit bodytransformation mensfitness womensfitness

27/03/2026

The race to 400kg.

There was a time when a 400kg deadlift was holy ground — very few men in the UK had ever moved it.

Getting to that stage took more than just hard work. It took the right knowledge, the right guidance, and learning from those who had already done it.

Studying the likes of Andy Bolton, Benni Magnusson, and Westside methods pushed my deadlift higher and higher.

This is proof: effort alone isn’t enough. Direction matters.

Make sure you’re learning from someone who’s either walked the walk… or coached others all the way there.

That’s how you turn hard work into real results.

26/03/2026

Menopause isn’t the end of strength — it’s the beginning of a powerful new chapter 💪🔥

Powerlifting is one of the most effective ways to support women through menopause — physically and mentally.

As oestrogen levels decline, many women experience:
– Loss of muscle mass
– Reduced bone density
– Weight gain
– Lower energy and confidence

Strength training — especially powerlifting — directly combats these changes.

🏋️‍♀️ How it helps:
✔ Builds and preserves lean muscle
✔ Strengthens bones (reducing osteoporosis risk)
✔ Supports metabolism and fat loss
✔ Improves joint stability and posture
✔ Boosts mood, confidence, and mental resilience

But more importantly… it gives you control back over your body.

At Bear Strong, we believe powerlifting is for every woman — not just athletes.

Whether you’re:
✨ Brand new to lifting
✨ Returning after time off
✨ Navigating menopause
✨ Or ready to step onto the platform

—we will meet you where you are.

Chris has coached 40+ female athletes over the years to step onto the platform, proving that strength has no age limit and no starting point requirement.

You don’t need experience.
You don’t need to be “fit enough.”
You just need to start.

This is about becoming stronger, more confident, and more empowered — at every stage of life.

Ready to take that first step? 💥
Drop us a message or come chat with us at Bear Strong.

23/03/2026

Day two for Team Bear Strong took us into the Masters, and it was time for Lisa and Clare to step up.

Lisa, after taking a break from dieting, turned up as the old Lisa — full of strength and power — making our original openers far too easy. Clare was the same and peaked so well for the comp.

We kept things controlled with both ladies on the more technical lifts, squat and bench, but still achieved great numbers — soaking up huge experience and knowledge, hitting good lifts one after another.

Come deadlifts, I told the girls we were going to have some fun… and they delivered. Both pulled more than they ever have before.

The girls absolutely loved the day and are already excited for the next show. It’s also great to see such a strong friendship forming between them — that’s a massive bonus in this sport.

Well done ladies, so proud — you both done incredible. It was such a good day with yous both. Even with the seriousness of comps, it was full of laughs 👊

20/03/2026

Next up: Lisa 💪

Lisa started her powerlifting journey in December 2025 after spending some time in PT with me.

She’s still very much on her weight loss journey and has already dropped an incredible 30lb—which has been the main focus. But alongside that, she’s built a real passion for lifting and wanted to step in and be part of the team this weekend.

This comp is all about experience, learning, and pushing for a big PB total.

Lisa has put in the work—balancing training while staying consistent with her diet and weight loss, taking part in a leg of a marathon, and managing family life as well… aka Mona Lisa 😂

She’s your typical powerlifter at heart—not a fan of anything over 5 reps on the bar.

Delighted to have her stepping on the platform this weekend—I know she’s going to love the experience 👊🔥

18/03/2026

Next up: Clare 💪

Clare came to me towards the end of her weight loss journey. At the start, the idea of stepping on a powerlifting platform… I’m pretty sure I got laughed at when I suggested it 😂

We started working together through PT, and it didn’t take long to see the potential she had. Once she began training with the girls’ powerlifting team, her self-belief grew stronger week by week.

This is a massive personal milestone for Clare. Her fitness journey has been incredible—achieving amazing weight loss while staying consistent through gym training and swimming.

Over the last three months, her strength has climbed steadily, and in her final week of heavy lifts, there was a smirk after her last deadlift—she knows she’s ready to smash every PB this Sunday.

Balancing a full-time job and a busy family life, Clare leads by example. Mums need to make time for themselves too—being your strongest and best means everyone else gets the best version of you ❤️

Chris McNaghten Personal Training & Sports Therapy

13/04/2026

10/04/2026

07/04/2026

05/04/2026

02/04/2026

30/03/2026

30/03/2026

27/03/2026

26/03/2026

23/03/2026

20/03/2026

18/03/2026

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