Hardcore Fitness & Movement

05/10/2025

No in person Pilates with me this morning, post mountain walking day off,

But I’m still getting the work done! Even if it’s 15 mins. We’ve all got 15 mins right?

How much time have you just spend scrolling?

For all level Pilates (inc the Advanced options!) come see me at Pure Gym on a Sunday morning and we can throw some shapes together!

04/10/2025

What do we do in a storm? 🌧️
Head up to North Wales to climb mountains, of course… all for charity! 🏔️
(Disclaimer: I don’t advocate doing silly sh*t outdoors — we’re prepped, planned, and a little bit mad 😅)

03/10/2025

Bloody Joe Wicks strikes again.

Whilst I wouldn’t suggest living off protein bars for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they can be a smart choice when you’re on the go.

If grabbing one at a service station stops you buying a family bag of crisps, then I’d say it’s one of the better options available.

Like anything, it comes down to balance.

When protein bars first flooded the shelves years ago, many of us went through a phase of eating them daily — but let’s be honest, after a few months of that, most people can’t face more than one now and again!

Protein bars aren’t harmful. What is harmful is the huge amount of misinformation about nutrition circulating in the media right now.

I’m not sure who to credit for this photo, but I liked it, so I used it 🙈

01/10/2025

Absolutely agree with this 👏

ETM is THE best, most comprehensive qualification I have and the one that allowed me freedom to go and construct my own group exercise classes, with the knowledge to execute them properly and safely.

On another note - there are TOO MANY people delivering fitness classes at the moment without the right qualifications, and some without ANY qualifications.

I’m sure lots of people who regularly attend things locally would be SHOCKED. If they actually asked the instructor what qualifications and therefore insurance they had…

http://groupxtraining.com/why-level-2-exercise-to-music-stands-above-pre-choreographed-fitness-models/?fbclid=IwRlRTSANKM-NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmBTEalZ1MhDE4ILuKGr0Mor3npp0dKaAyAF5gIiBNVl2owZTCrwJePzwCOc_aem_6p8IYBDbmLEnZDv9grPWMQ

In our industry, one of the longest-running debates revolves around the value of accredited qualifications versus pre-choreographed, licence-fee fitness programmes....

30/09/2025

Currently investigating sites that can accommodate a VERY limited number of 121 client sessions.

Ideally based in Merthyr, but also looking at Aberdare and Ebbw Vale.

Let me know your thoughts! Just gauging interest and if you’ve got any places I can check out let me know in the comments!

29/08/2025

Off piste! Yes that’s right - not a bodybuilding show, a singing and dancing show.
With my show buddies. Hop along to and grab a ticket whilst you can!

25/08/2025

I think as you get older your perspective on these things does change.

For me, I can’t imagine ageing and not being able to participate in all of the things I do at the moment. I accept that I will be a lot slower! But really, I want to keep on participating in the things that bring me joy.

Moving, going outdoors, going abroad, playing games with younger members of the family. All that jazz.

And I definitely don’t want to be falling over and breaking a hip.... .

25/08/2025

I think as you get older your perspective on these things does change.

For me, I can't imagine ageing and not being able to participate in all of the things I do at the moment. I accept that I will be a lot slower! But really, I want to keep on participating in the things that bring me joy.

Moving, going outdoors, going abroad, playing games with younger members of the family. All that jazz.

And I definitely don't want to be falling over and breaking a hip....

21/08/2025

💪 Staying strong as we age is absolutely possible!

So I really like science based things and this week I came across a recent study that supports the idea that you can maintain muscle mass and fitness with just two supervised workouts a week

I think we can ALL manage 2 sessions a week.

✨ Here’s what they found:
• Men who trained regularly lost way less aerobic fitness than expected (about 2% a year instead of the usual drop).
• Women actually improved their aerobic fitness over time – instead of the normal decline!
• Strength losses were also way smaller than average for both men and women.

👵👴 Why’s that important? Because most people over 60 aren’t hitting the activity guidelines – and this kind of training can help keep independence, reduce falls, and make day-to-day life so much easier (and more fun!).

👉 Bottom line: staying active as we age isn’t just a “nice idea” – it’s the key to staying strong, healthy, and living life on your own terms.

🔗 Full study here if you’re into the details:
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-esm/fulltext/2025/10000/long_term_enrollment_in_a_community_exercise.1.aspx

18/08/2025

Not sure where you can practise with me?

Currently instructing at Pure Gym only whilst we progress with our new venue plans!