
Health, Fitness and Fake News!!!
I'll be honest this type of blog post has been done before, There are plenty of versions of it online already. And I'm sure it will be done again......many times. But, over the years I have had countless conversations with clients based on statements like this Eating Carbs make you fat Eating Fat makes you fat Fat turns into muscle (or vice versa) Lifting weights make women bulky Eating carbs after 6pm makes you fat It is possible to target specific areas for fat loss All the

Power Up Your Diet
I am a nerd!!!! One definition of the word nerd is "a person who is extremely interested in a subject" I'm an exercise nerd!! I'm also a snowboard nerd!!! And from about the age of 10 I've been a video game nerd!! I remember playing the first Atari console my Dad got when me and my brother were kids. (OK, so that's not us but you get the idea!!) Games like Tank, Pac-Man or Space Invaders kept us occupied for hours. By current gaming standards they were ridiculously basic. But

Does This Sound Like You??
Before taking the plunge and going solo with my personal training career, I did what all budding PT's do and I worked in a local gym. For 5 years I did all the things that comes with a gym instructors role. I gave new members inductions and showed them the ropes. I wrote programmes for specific goals. I helped people improve their technique. And I answered LOTS of workout and diet questions. It was great. I loved it. To be able to work in a job that you are passionate about

RECIPE - CHORIZO AND HADDOCK ONE POT
This ridiculously easy recipe comes with the Benchmark Fitness super tasty seal of approval, It's got plenty of protein, healthy fats and despite containing chorizo it's not off the scale in calories. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments box. Ingredients 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve 50g chorizo peeled and thinly sliced 450g salad or new potatoes sliced 4 tbsp dry sherry, or more if you need it (or use white wine) 2 skinless thick

Crispy is the only way??
I’ve just finished cooking my breakfast. A strange combination of 3 rashers of bacon, a handful of raisins and a mug of black coffee. Weird, I know but it’s a protein and carbs before a workout thing.
(quick note: these were not consumed at the same time in the same mouthful, if you know what I mean!) Obviously, the bacon must be crispy, not done to death but just enough to crisp up the fat, make it crunchy and taste amazing – it’s the only way, right?? Mmmmmmmm bacon!!! Appa

RECIPE - THAI BEEF SALAD
Thai Beef Salad with Nam Jim Nam jim is a chilli-based Thai dressing with a balance of spicy, salty, sweet and sour flavours This recipe is high in protein, low carb and easy to do. Give it a go and let me know what you think. INGREDIENTS • 1 bunch coriander
• 3cm piece ginger, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 long red chillies, seeded, thinly sliced on the diagonal
• 2 lemons, zested, juiced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 55g (1/4 cup firmly packed) bro

FARMERS WALKS
Farmers walks are a great full body exercise. They work all the major muscle groups and can be used to achieve different training goals. Pictured is Personal Training client Tim Lawrence going heavy and smashing a few trips up and down the drive. Some of the benefits are: Improved grip Increased core stability Better posture Strength gains Fat loss Remember to keep your traps and core muscles engaged, walk steadily and don’t let your body collapse under the weight. Go heavy f

WHICH FOODS MAKE YOU FAT??
In the recent past it was thought that eating fats like dairy, nuts and oils made you gain weight. This is why there are so many low fat products available to buy. Recently the attention has turned to carbohydrates and it is implied that things like pasta, bread and sugar are to blame. Even protein comes in for some bad press from time to time. It's all very confusing. So which is it??? The answer is all of them and none of them. Again, very confusing. So what do I mean? It i

ONLINE TRAINING
Get BMF in your pocket!! I'm very happy now to be able to offer online personal training through the new BenchMarkFitness app. All the benefits of my usual PT services such as: personalised workouts goal specific diet plans accountability support Plus the ability to: workout at your own convenience see your own progress with online tracking link to MyFitnessPal and FitBit Prices start at £180 for an 18 session 6 week programme. Compare this to an equivalent 18 session one2one