McBride Health

19/02/2026

IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME... 🤦‍♂️

I wouldn't have had a shaved undercut with pony tail back in 1996 which I firmly believe angered the 'hair gods' resulting in my premature baldness punishment.

I also wouldn't have been a bloody idiot and neglected strength-training when I was a committed, competitive runner.

You wouldn't think it now, but I was a respectable runner before getting covid; sub-20, sub-40, a 1:04 10miler, a 1:26 half as well as 15 marathon and ultra-marathons under my belt, I had pretty decent endurance strength....and I WRONGLY assumed that this was all I needed when I lined up for the Manchester marathon in 2021.

I'd had to let go of my sub-3 goal but settled on a realistic but challenging sub-3:10.

Going through halfway in 1:31 I was well on track and feeling confident....until I wasn't!
At approx. 19/20 miles whilst full of energy, my quads just abruptly left the party and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. As the realisation quickly set in that my sub-3:10 was over, I immediately became angry with myself as I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE BEEN STRENGTH TRAINING, and this major oversight had bitten me sharply.

I struggled on of course, finished with a time I was happy with (3:24), but not ecstatic as I knew that 3:10 was on.

I quickly started strength training with redemption planned for 2022, but getting covid in the September put pay to that, and my running in general.

SO WHY DIDN'T I STRENGTH TRAIN IN THE FIRST PLACE???
I guess I (wrongly) assumed my strength-endurance from the ultra-marathons including a 100km and a 100 miler was sufficient for running a fast (for me) road marathon.....how wrong was I!

The research is quite clear regarding strength training aiding endurance performance, so if you'd like to avoid my mistake (that still angers me to this day!) and learn how to strength train specifically for you and your sport, then book yourself in for my STRENGTH 2 PERFORM via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk and I'll show you how :)

Ian
Physio
S&C Coach
Frustrated former runner!

18/02/2026

If you're in a physical rut and don't know how to get out of it, then perhaps I can help you...

I'm looking to help REAL PEOPLE with REAL GOALS;
👉lose weight for improved health
👉gain strength for better quality of life
👉improve fitness to play sport / play with children etc
👉to feel happier about life

I AM NOT INTERESTED IN;
❌ killer abs
❌ beach-body
❌ making you skinny

My sessions will be bespoke and catered to you and your current level of strength, mobility and fitness, so you have nothing to fear!

The sessions are 1:1, can be booked for pre / post-work and most of all will be effective in helping you achieve your goal(s) :)

As a physio I will be well placed to help you work around any current issues such as joint pain or arthritic joints, so there really is no excuse!

DM or e-mail ian@mcbridehealth.co.uk for more info.

16/02/2026

The PBs can't stay away right now!

I should have been hitting barbell deadlift today but following a lot of enforced sitting of late, my back was playing up so I thought I'd hit the hex-bar instead, which my Wednesday night strength training groups will know I'm a huge fan of.

My build-up sets were feeling good so spurred on by a young whipper-snapper ribbing me about turning 50 next year, I thought I'd give 205kg a go for the first time. It was slow to move but moved it I did! 😘

If you'd like to get stronger, it doesn't matter if you're carrying back issues like me, there's always a work-around 👍

Book in via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

Oh and for anyone wondering, the discs to my left go 25kg bumper, 25kg cast iron in the gap (smaller diameter than the bumper), 20kg bumper and 2 x 10kg cast iron discs = 90kg, x 2 + 25kg bar = 205kg.

200kg barbell deadlift by the end of the year 🫣

14/02/2026

I took a LONG time researching the new equipment I wanted for my rehab-gym. For my main pulley machine I wanted a weight-stack for convenience but many were just way out of my budget.
I then found this superb commercial grade lat machine from Powertec within my budget.
In addition to the 90kg weight stack, it also includes weight horns for additional discs as required, seen in the picture here during my seated rows. This means we have more than enough scope for developing a strong back and pulling power 💪
For the money, this machine is absolutely superb and terrific value 👌.

If you'd like help with an introduction to strength training so that you can then step into a commercial gym knowing what to do, you can book in for 1:1 sessions with me via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

Ian
Physio
S&C Coach
Practitioner of one's preaching 😉

13/02/2026

Just one of several ways to apply progressive overload to your strength training...

I thought this might be a useful video especially for those in my Wednesday night strength-training groups, as it features a number of topics I bang on about! 🙉

Remember, weakness is never a strength.

Book in for 1:1 Introduction to strength training via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

Ian
Physio
S&C Coach

12/02/2026

Nice little 3-rep max PB tonight 😊.

It wasn't that long ago that a 1-rep max at 170kg seemed a far-off fantasy!

This was actually my bonus-set having done three previous sets between 140-160. This was a direct repeat of last week's session, where I managed just the one rep at 170, so to get three tonight was a lovely feeling 😊

The isolation work I'm doing for my lower back pain / weak right side lumbar spine is clearly paying off, as weakness is never a strength.

This gives me confidence that my goal of a 200kg deadlift will happen this year.

Remember, this isn't me trying to boast, I can point you in the direction of junior and much smaller than me female lifters who would lift 170kg as warm-up!

This is simply me trying to get other people interested in getting stronger, as your future self will thank you for it 🙏💪

1:1 strength training for beginners can be booked via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

11/02/2026

I had this exact conversation with a new patient I assessed yesterday.

OA can be managed very effectively and doesn't mean that you're destined for a joint replacement.

Book in for your Lower Limb OA Assessment via;
www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

Ian
Chartered Physiotherapist (22 years)

10/02/2026

Time between surgery and starting effective physio-rehabilitation is critical.
Leave it too long and tissues weaken, stiffen, fear creeps in, confidence reduces and altered movement patterns emerge - hobbling / limping / making unwanted adaptations. You've then had surgery but are unable to benefit from it.

If you've had lower-limb surgery and would like to start your post-op rehabilitation ASAP, then get in touch or book yourself in via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

Ian
Chartered Physiotherapist (22 years)

06/02/2026

I would have loved this back in the day 😍👍

Good afternoon Yellow Bellies.
Just taken delivery of the Yellow Belly Ultra Winter 50 Medals and they've turned out great.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the start line in 2 weeks time.
Still a few hours remaining for entries.
Enter via the link below for Lincolnshire's inaugural Winter Ultra
https://yellowbellyultras.co.uk/races/ultramarathons/winter-50-miler

05/02/2026

POST-OP REHABILITATION 👌

I'm helping a lovely chap at present who unfortunately needed part of his recent hip-replacement to be further operated on.

As you can imagine, there is a fair amount to be working on;
👉 hip muscular weakness
👉 hip soft-tissue tightness
👉 altered gait pattern (limp)

My 'old but gold' multi-hip machine helped with both the weakness and tightness today, with great effect 👌

Remember, surgery is HALF OF THE JOB...the other half comes from quality and timely physio rehabilitation.

Book in for your Post-op Physio rehabilitation via www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

Ian
Physio (22 years)

04/02/2026

NEW WEB ADDRESS
www.mcbridehealth.co.uk

My new address might take up to 48hrs to become fully activated. In that time you can still use the old address and still find me by searching mcbridephysioandperformance

Just to say there is a mcbridehealth.com which is nothing at all to do with me!

Thanks,
Ian (slowly getting there!)

04/02/2026

LOWER LIMB ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT

Osteoarthritis really is a poorly understood condition, and as such is often poorly managed.

Have a good read of the following slides, and if you'd like help with your arthritic hip or knee, then book in for my LOWER LIMB ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT via www.mcbridephysioandperformance.co.uk

I don't have a magic wand, but I can help you to better understand and better manage your problematic joint. :)

Ian
Chartered Physiotherapist (22 years)