Blog
Client Stories – How deadlifting 100kg at 77 is Christine’s new happy place
Christine’s story of embracing strength training in her mid-seventies is an inspiration. Following multiple surgeries and doctors advice to ‘not lift anything too heavy’ – she has proved them wrong, and then some. With a 100kg deadlift already under her belt, Christine has her sights set on 110kg!
Read PostHow a good night’s sleep promotes muscle growth & recovery
You’ve finessed your training schedule, dialled in nutrition, and pushing yourself to the maximum in the gym. But, you’re struggling with recovery, generally feeling a little sluggish, and you’re not seeing the strength gains you’d hoped for. It could be time to focus on your sleep.
Read PostWhy Strength Training is better than Chiro for low back pain
Low back pain (LBP) affects up to 60% of adults in the UK, and it looks like it’s a problem that’s only getting worse.
Read PostPain Points – Recovering from a Lateral Ankle Sprain
Pain Points is our blog post series looking at the most common injuries we treat, this month’s post is all about lateral ankle sprains.
Read PostMeet the Coaches – Ryan Hewlett
With a background in Sports Therapy, I’ve seen how smart, consistent training can make a real difference, whether you're rehabbing an injury or building strength from the ground up. My approach is careful, tailored, and built on the belief that progress should feel both achievable and rewarding.
Read Post20% off a Sports Massage in April
To celebrate the launch of our new Injury Clinic website, we're offering 20% off a sports massage for the rest of April 2025.
Read PostCoach’s Corner – From Coach to Competitor, Will’s journey in Powerlifting
We caught up with Will after his recent South East Powerlifting competition to discuss his experience. He shares insights on competition day, how it's influenced his training, and the valuable lessons that now benefit his clients.
Read PostChoosing the Right Grip for your Deadlifts
Let's face it – no matter how strong your back and legs are, if you can't hold onto the bar, that deadlift isn't going anywhere. I've seen countless lifters held back not by their overall strength, but by their grip giving out.
Read PostWhy protein is key to maintaining muscle mass as we age
If you want to maintain your independence and quality of life as you age, paying attention to your protein intake could make a big difference.
Read PostPain Points – Rotator Cuff Injuries and Rehabilitation
Pain Points is our blog post series looking at the most common complaints we assess in the injury clinic, this month’s post is all about rotator cuff injuries.
Read PostPersonal Trainer (Stength Coach) Vacancy
Are you passionate about strength training and helping people become stronger, healthier, and more capable? Do you believe in the power of barbell training for the general population? If so, we want you to join our team!
Read PostClient Stories – Sam’s incredible journey from spine surgery to a powerlifting record
At 53, Sam was referred to Body Mentors injury clinic, struggling with pain following spine surgery. What's followed since has been a remarkable journey. With her dedication to strength training, Sam has not only transformed her body, but also her perception of what's possible.
Read PostPain Points – Common Causes & Rehabilitation for Lower Back Pain
Pain Points is our new blog series looking at the most common injuries we assess in the Injury Clinic. Our first post features Lower Back Pain – one of, if not, the most common injury that we treat.
Read PostAnother record-breaking day for Body Mentors clients!
We had the privilege of supporting three Body Mentors clients at the South East Powerlifting completion in Sevenoaks last weekend. The day comprised two competitive debuts, five regional records, and a lot of heavy lifts! Here’s our roundup of all the action.
Read PostIntroducing the new Body Mentors merchandise shop
We're delighted to announce the launch of our new Body Mentors merchandise shop, complete with a new Easy Doesn't Work range. The new hoodies, sweatshirts and t-shirts are available in five colours and available to order online today.
Read PostStrength Training myths debunked
We hear many different reasons for why people are reluctant to give strength training a try. Many of these reasons are mistaken beliefs varying from outdated information to old wives tales. In this post, we’re going to debunk some of the most common strength training myths we’ve heard.
Read PostHow does resistance training affect people with Type 1 Diabetes?
Living with a complex condition like type 1 diabetes can understandably make you more nervous about starting a new fitness routine. You’ll likely have concerns about how your blood glucose levels might respond to resistance training, and if this might lead to an increased risk for your health. We asked Alex, one of our strength coaches at Body Mentors, to share his journey with type 1 diabetes and tell us how it's impacted his relationship with sports and fitness in general.
Read PostWhy we don’t use machines to build strength
When most people use a gym for the first time, they naturally gravitate towards machines – they look easy to use, safe, and simple. Complete with labelled instructions, a ‘controlled’ range of motion, and usually a comfy seat, it’s easy to see why they’re appealing for newcomers. However, if your goal is to build strength, machines are doing you a disservice, for a host of reasons.
Read PostMore than 35 Personal Bests at our Merry Liftmas event!
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us for the Merry Liftmas event – it was a fantastic day with 37 new Personal Bests being recorded by our clients!
Read PostPlease join us for Merry Liftmas on Saturday 7th December
Body Mentors and Hilden Park are pleased to invite you to join us on Saturday 7th December for a day of lifting and festive fun, at Merry Liftmas.
Read PostThe life-changing benefits of Strength Training for Older Adults
Ageing is, of course, inevitable, but we’re big believers that frailty is not. As we grow older we lose muscle mass, bone density and functional strength. This has a huge impact on daily life, and our ability to stay mobile and injury-free.
Read PostClient Stories – Dylan planning his Powerlifting debut at 17-years-old
We sat down with Body Mentors client, Dylan, 17 – to discuss his plans to compete in the New Year, and how strength training has helped to improve his confidence and mental health.
Read PostWhat are the benefits of Creatine?
Creatine is one of the most popular and evidence-based supplements available, it’s a compound of three amino acids which our bodies produce naturally. We also consume creatine in our diets, primarily from meat, fish and dairy.
Read PostHow Sports Massage can help you to recover faster
Modern sports massage therapy is believed to have grown from the success of Finnish long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi, who picked up a record-breaking five golds at the 1924 Olympics in Paris. He attributed his success in part to sports massage, which gave him an edge over competitors. Seeing Paavo’s results, other athletes quickly introduced sports massage therapy to their regimes.
Read PostShould you wear a Weightlifting Belt?
The question of whether or not to wear a weightlifting belt is surprisingly divisive in the fitness industry, but we’ve always been advocates for belts. Here’s why we think most clients should wear a weightlifting belt when strength training:
Read PostHow Strength Training could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
We know strength training can have a really positive impact on our physical capability, especially as we grow older, but, we're only just beginning to understand the huge benefits it could have on our brain health and cognition.
Read PostRefer a Friend & Get One Session Free
Refer a friend for personal training and once they’ve signed up, you’ll both get one session FREE!
Read PostLow Bar vs High Bar Squats
When it comes to squats, we coach clients to perform the low bar squat, in this short post we talk through the differences and our reasons for this preference over high bar squats.
Read PostMeet the Coaches – Alice Reavely
With a decade of lifting weights on a weekly basis I think it also helps that I can share my own experience, reminding clients that progress is never linear.
Read PostThe Hex of the Trap Bar
The Trap Bar, AKA the Hex Bar has been dividing opinion since it was re-marketed as a hybrid training bar in the late 2000s/early 2010s.
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