• Matthew Foster for Ionic Balance

  • Ross Tokely for Ionic Balance

  • Hudson Kennaugh for Ionic Balance

  • Christian Macleod for Ionic Balance

  • Paddy Gowans for Ionic Balance

  • Rob Douglas for Ionic Balance

  • Keith Mason for Ionic Balance

  • Blair Fraser for Ionic Balance

  • Don Maciver for Ionic Balance
  • Inverness Caley Thistle Stadium

Endorsements

Going Postal – Scenario Paintball Team

on Thursday, 04 April 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Going Postal

Going Postal was formed circa 1999 behind the actions of Steve aka ‘Witzy’ when he was the owner of a small retail paintball site in Dawlish, Devon. As a manager within the Exeter Royal Mail delivery office Steve gathered some of the guys together and they went to have a go at paintball. After an eventful day of shooting each other they found out they liked it. These get-togethers progressed from once a month to once a week.

This led onto a hardcore team of 7 players. In 2001 they started to further their knowledge by joining the Scenario Paintball scene within the UK meeting other teams and attending events.

Going Postal soon started to make a name for themselves with their hard game play and bubbly selves becoming a great team to play alongside.  They were then spotted by a UK based company BZ who offered them help and service whenever then need a quick marker upgrade or repair.

As the games started to progress and get bigger they started to further their sights on new players and was one of the first teams in the UK to have a female player within the team.

Going Postal's ethos can best be described as pure scenario, non-cheating, non-sparkly, up front and vocal. In 2007 earned the award for 'UK Scenario Team of the Year 2007.

In 2008 they started to progress from playing to running paintball events at their local home site UCZ Bunker (just to the North of Exeter) with are Bunker assault game. The original CQB Urban site has been host to some of the best games in the UK in the last 5 years both under the stewardship of Ash and Bunker Productions and by Going Postal Paintball and in 2011 they earned the award 'UK Scenario Marshalling Team of the Year'. Going postal then started hosting games at MOD sites such as Copehill Down Urban Training Village and they also have some very exciting future sites which they can't wait to get people on.

Going Postal has been active at nearly every scenario game throughout the years with attendances at Games even outside of the UK like the Oklahoma D-Day game in the U.S, games in Croatia and even venturing to a game in Greece in May 2013.

"We still travel around the UK attending as many games as possible and running our own Scenario based games with the next one in April called 'The Siege' with a high number of players making the travel to attend for the weekend long day/night games plus are awesome Tippman Tactical series which can only be found at Going Postal scenario games.” Going Postal

Going Postal today consists of up to twenty-two players ranging from all different ages and styles of play.

Witzy, Daz, Bash, Giggles, Kelv/Pedro, SNR, JNR, Red-Ley, Billy, Dodge, Skywalker, Garage, Rico, Nails, Hardware, SoftScoop, Tib, Skittles, Rubbish, Yoda, MoneyPenny and finally Swiss as they are more formally know within the Paintball community.

Chris Hodgson – Supermoto Champion

on Thursday, 07 March 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Chris Hodgson

Chris Hodgson is the Double British Champion in Supermoto! What is Supermoto? It can best be described as a mixture of Motocross and road racing. It is a somewhat unique sport when it comes to racing in that the emphasis lies on slower speeds, usually less than 100 mph (160 km/h), on short, technical tracks, where it is more about the skills of the rider than it is about the speed. The races usually take place on a track that consists of both a tarmac section and also a dirt section, frequently made up of compacted clay. These dirt tracks make up around a quarter of the track and often feature obstacles such as bermed corners (a corner that has a banked outer edge that runs the entire length of it) or jumps.

Chris has been racing motorbikes since the age of 6. He started out by racing motocross for ten years. Chris won numerous Club Championships and finished on the podium in the British Championship. In 2004 he had the opportunity to enter Supermoto in the KTM Junior Cup. After winning this he received a sponsored ride for KTM and has progressed ever since winning 5 British Championships!

Chris has represented Great Britain numerous times and raced all over Europe with many podium finishes.  Chis took part in SUPERMOTO OF NATIONS British team in 2011. It was held at the stunning Motorland Complex in Aragon Spain. This saw 21 countries enter the Supermoto of Nations, the largest entry since the event began. After a nail biting weekends racing Chris and his team finished second winning a Silver Medal! This is the best result GB has ever achieved at the event!


“My greatest achievement came whilst representing team GB in 2011 when we picked up 2nd in the world out of 21 countries.”  Chris Hodgson

  • 2004 - KTM Junior Cup British Champion
  • 2005 - 9th British Championship, 3rd KTM European Cup
  • 2006 - 3rd British Championship, 3rd KTM European Cup
  • 2007 - British Champion, 4th European Championships
  • 2008 - 4th British Championship
  • 2009 - 5th British Championship
  • 2010 - 3rd British Championship
  • 2011 - Double British Champion, 2nd Supermoto of Nations
  • 2012 - Double British Champion

Brian O'Meara - Highland Games Athlete / Strongman

on Monday, 04 March 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Brian O'Meara

Brian joined the Irish Strength Association (ISA) in April 2010, and from that point on Brian was hooked on strength sports. He went to a Highland Games competition and knew that this is want he wanted to do. Brian got involved in strength sports in a big way and had his first strongman competition in June 2010. Highland Games really caught his attention and became his big focus. In June 2011 he had his first win in Novice Ireland's Highland Champions, qualifying Brian for the European Novice Championship! With the help of the ISA he proudly attended these games in Hungary.

"It is so humbling when you get to represent your country and carry your national flag" Brian O Meara.

In 2012 after recovering from injury and a lot of training Brian competed in the Republic of Irelands Strongest Man Qualifier, coming in 9th position ahead of some veterans. In July he again represented IRC in Glenarm Castle in Antrim for CLASH OF THE CELTIC GIANTS where Ireland's biggest and best take on Scotland's strongest in Highland Games, strength challenges and team events. The Scots proved to be a worthy adversary defeating Team Ireland. Brian loved the experience and relished the opportunity to represent Ireland again.

“Hopefully 2013 will be our lucky year in Glenarm.” Brian O Meara

  • 2011 Novice Irelands Highland Champions – 1st
  • 2011 NAAS RFC Highland Games – 5th
  • IHGF European Amateur Highland Games Championships – Irelands’ representative
  • Cavan Highland Games Series 1- 4th
  • Republic of Ireland Strongest Man 2012 Qualifier – 9th
  • Republic of Ireland Strongest Man 2012 – 12t

Stats

Height: 6' 9
Weight: 27 stone 8lbs

“Power & Strength training is never easy, but with my families support and support from ISA & Team Ionic 2013 just got easier!” Brian O Meara

Danny Buchan - British Super Bike Rider

on Friday, 15 February 2013. Posted in Endorsements

 

Danny Buchan

Danny has been riding bikes his whole life. From the age of 6 Danny competed in numerous motocross races at club level and in national championships, but it was when Danny was 13 in 2006 that he got a taste for road racing. He made the switch to road racing full time and did his first full season in 2007 and raced in the Aprilia Superteen Championship.

In 2008 in the Aprilia Superteen Championship, half way through the season due to his height (one of Danny's nicknames is “the jolly green giant”) Danny felt that he was at a disadvantage on the 125. So he moved to the 400's for the remainder of the season. At just 19 Danny has progressed through the rankings very quickly and is set for the British Superbike Championship (BSB) in 2013. BSB is the greatest domestic bike series in the world, bikes average more than 180bhp and are capable of reaching 200mph. Broadcast live throughout Europe and Asia, with some of the world's best riders and most prestigious manufacturers. Danny has been training very hard thoughout the winter, so that he is in peak physical condition for his first full season in BSB.

“I am so happy to be back riding a Kawasaki, especially to be in BSB full time as that has always been one of my goals. It will be my first full season in the championship but I think working with the Bournemouth Kawasaki team and Chris will help me make progress all the time. I wasn't very lucky last season but I think we can turn things around next year and we know that the Kawasaki is capable of winning races so we need to get ready and come out with a big boom at Brands Hatch!” Danny Buchan

History

  • 2007 Raced in Aprilia superteen championship finishing 14th
  • 2008 Raced part of the Aprilia superteen championship, decided to move onto the 400
  • 2009 - EDI Asia formula 400 champion
  • 2nd in junior Superstock BMCRC (missed 2 rounds due to age)
  • 2010 - MSS Colchester Kawasaki 600 Junior Superstock rider ended the championship 3rd
  • 2011 - MSS Colchester Kawasaki 1000 Superstock Rider - 2nd
  • 2012 - MSS Bathams Kawasaki 1000 superstock , 2nd in championship before being promoted to the British Superbike Class, best result 4th place
  • 2013 - Official Kawasaki Factory Backed Quattro Plant Kawasaki in the Superbike Championship, seeking top 6 (showdown contender)

Danny Buchan

 

Danny Buchan

Sonni Hönscheid – Surfer and Stand Up Paddle Surfer

on Wednesday, 06 February 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Sonni Hönscheid

Sonni is Germany’s most successful full time surfer having won the German Surfing Championship an amazing 12 times! Sonni start surfing and water sports from a very young age. Her father was a professional windsurfer and was a pioneer of the sport being one of the founders of the Windsurfing World Cup in Sylt Germany - where Sonni was born. Sonni spent her youth traveling around the world’s most beautiful beaches following her father as he competed in the Windsurfing World Cup. It was obvious that Sonni was going follow in her father’s footsteps.  Water sports was her life and she became super passionate about surfing and windsurfing. Sonni has been living in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), since she was six years old. She has a surf shop there together with her family and is often abroad for competitions or photo shoots. If possible, she spends every minute of her life on the water!

Being a full time surfer Sonni gets to travel for surf trips and contests around the world to places like Hawaii, Australia, Iceland, South Africa, Maldives, Brazil, Indonesia, France, Ireland and Portugal but she is more than just a contest surfer she is a soul surfer and enjoys the unspoiled nature, crystal clear waters and surfing with a few close friends and family.

Sonni started stand up paddle surfing in 2009. When she decided to get involved in the sport, she didn't do any half measures! She went straight into competition and became 2 times Race World Champion in Hamburg at the Jever SUP Cup in 2009 and 2010.

“This years plans are to take part at the most important European races, races on Maui, BOP in California and at the prestigious race "Molokai2Oahu" I did it last year in as a team but this year I´m going to paddle it solo.”

Sonni best results are:

  • 2nd time World Champion Jever World Cup Hamburg Germany
  • 2 x times German SUP Champion
  • 12 x times German Surfing Champion
  • 1st Place - Naish Race Maui 2011
  • 2nd Place - Naish Race Maui 2012
  • 1st Place - Naish "Le Nautic" Race Paris 2011
  • 1st Place - Maliko Memories Race Maui 2012
  • 2nd Place - IMUA Race Maui 2012
  • 7th Place - Olukai Race "Elite class" 2012
  • 1st Place - 14 Class Triple Crown Maui 2012
  • 10th Place - Eilte Race BOP Oahu 2011
  • 2nd Long - Distance BOP Oahu 2011
  • 1st Place - (19-29) Class BOP California 2010
  • 13th Place - Elite race BOP California 2010

George Twyman - Amateur Golfer

on Wednesday, 06 February 2013. Posted in Endorsements

George Twyman

George started playing golf when he was just 4 years old. Now George at the age of 17 has a handicap of +1 and is currently playing and practising to one day make the European Tour. George will be playing on the Gecko Pro Tour on the Costa Del Sol over the winter months. In 2013 George is hoping to be playing various AM events and the Callaway World Junior Event in San Diego USA. He is currently coached by one of the best junior golf coaches, Graham Moore who also coaches Miguel Angel Jimenez Jr.

  • Champion of various FGA events in Spain
  • Club Champion 2011 and 2012 with scores of -1 and -3
  • Course Record holder at Marbella Golf and Country Club 67 -5
  • T10 Marbella GCC Gecko Pro Tour (Pro Event)
  • 9th Veritas World Junior in Los Angeles with a 3 day score of +4

Highland Bears Basketball Team

on Thursday, 31 January 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Highland Bears

Highland Basketball Club was formed in 1993 by Mike Stainke, John Munro, Tim Pilkington and Richard Smith and the teams were comprised of pupils from Inverness, Alness, Tain and Grantown-on-Spey, but the "Bears" moniker would only come later in the club's history. In the first two seasons, the club entered competitions under the "Tulloch Highland" name due to a sponsorship deal with Tulloch Construction Ltd. During these two seasons the club would enjoy numerous success in both league and cup competitions. Due to having one of the best facilities in Scotland at the time, Tulloch Highland Basketball Club were priviliged to host the 1996 Home Nations Tournament (U18 men) - held at Inverness Sports Centre - where a full capacity crowd (700 spectators) witnessed the Scotland vs England match. Later that year, Tulloch Highland Basketball Club received the Inverness Area Sports Council's "Club of the Year" Award.

It wasn't until the 1996/97 season that another name was introduced, firstly with an individual team sponsorship for the U-18 women's team, to compete as "Team ATC Cosmetics". Later that season the club would secure financial backing from Invergordon firm ATC Cosmetics and would enter the National League the following season as "ATC Highland", with both U16 and U18 mens teams victorious in their respective divisions. During the 1998/99 season, the U16 mens team would repeat their success and the Senior mens team would win the President's Cup for the first and last time (renamed the following season as the Chairman's Cup). In January 1999, ATC Highland Basketball Club hosted the Sunny-D Camp with over 300 children participating from the Highlands & Islands region - the third largest camp in the UK. Later that same year, John Munro was deservedly awarded the title of Inverness Area Sports Council's "Coach-Administrator of the Year". The 2001/02 season saw ATC Highland Under 16 women's team reach the final of the Scottish Cup for the first time.

At the start of the 2002/03 season, Highland Basketball Club had no sponsorship deals and none of the original coaching staff. The club entered all national league and cup competitions as Highland BC. It was also in the summer of 2002 that a new Senior men's team - the Highland Bears - were formed and comprised of ex-national league players under the guidance of Tim Pilkington and John Munro. Highland BC were awarded the task of hosting the 2003 Dobbing Cup - an international competition between Scotland and England U-15 girls teams - at Inverness Sports Centre. The Highland Bears senior men's team enjoyed a successful inaugural season, going undefeated and winning the Chairman's Cup at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. The Senior mens team would go onto a further three Chairman's Cup finals appearances in five years. During the 2005 season, the Highland Bears added another team to the roster - The "Lady Bears" - again the squad were mainly ex-national league players who played under the guidance of Judi McWhirr.

In 2006, the Senior men's team went on to secure their second Chairman's Cup win at Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh and followed that up with a one-day inivitational tournament win (the inaugural Mitie Cup) later that year at the same venue. Meanwhile, Highland BC were beginning to compete again at junior and cadet levels within the National League. Also the 2006/07 season would see the Lady Bears taste their first success in Chairman's Cup (Women), a feat that they would go on to repeat twice in the next three years. The beginning of 2008 saw Basketball Scotland appoint John Kerray as the Regional Development Officer and this helped rejuvenate the sport within the Highland region at grass-roots level, allowing the Highland Bears to add U12's and U14's teams to the roster for the 2011/12 season. In late 2008, the decision was made by Highland BC and Highland Bears to merge to form a solitary club - Highland Bears Basketball Club. The Lady Bears would go onto be crowned back-to-back Chairman's Cup winners in 2009 and 2010 and perform a unique double in 2009 by winning the Jean Findlay Memorial Trophy (Tayside & Fife Cup).

After a two-year absence for junior teams within the National Leagues, the Bears entered U-16 and U-18 men's teams in the 2009/10 season. In November 2009 Stacey MacDonald was honoured for her hard work as Basketball Scotland's "School Age Volunteer of the Year" and again was recognised in December 2010, receiving Inverness Area Sports Councils "Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport". In November 2011 Rodger Watt received recognition for his work scooping the "School Age Volunteer of the Year" from Basketball Scotland and in early December 2011, Frazer Grant received double recognition for his hard work, honoured as both Sport Scotland’s "Highland Young Coach of the Year" and "National Young Coach of the Year".

The 2011/12 season saw the largest number of Highland Bears team's for a single season in the history of the club - In February 2012, the U14 girls team were crowned the undefeated champions of the RDL - East & Central Division, the U16 men were runner-up in National League Division 1 and the U18 Men’s team were crowned National League Division 2 champions. In March 2012, the U14 boys’ team matched the feat by remaining undefeated in the RDL - East & Central Division. Awaiting remaining fixtures to be played, the U16 women ended as runner-up in National League Division 2 at end of April 2012. The U14 boys ended the season completing the double by winning the Playoffs and extending their unbeaten record to 11-0 and the U14 girls managed the same accolade and extended their unbeaten record to 9-0. The U16 women's team ended their season as narrowly beaten finalists of the Second Division playoffs.

Club Honours

  • 1993/94 -  Cadet Men NL West Section Champions
  • 1993/94 - Junior Men NL West Section Champions
  • 1994 - Cadet Men - Scottish Cup Winners
  • 1995 - Junior Men - Scottish Cup Winners
  • 1997/98 - Cadet Men - NL North Area Champions
  • 1997/98 - Junior Men - NL Division 2 Champions
  • 1998/99 - Cadet Men - NL North Area Champions
  • 1999 - Senior Men - Scottish President's Cup Winners
  • 2003 - Senior Men - Scottish Chairman's Cup Winners
  • 2006 - Senior Men - Scottish Chairman's Cup Winners
  • 2006 - Senior Men - Mitie Cup Winners
  • 2007 – Senior  Women  - Scottish Chairman's Cup Winners
  • 2009 - Senior  Women - Scottish Chairman's Cup Winners
  • 2010 - Senior  Women -  Scottish Chairman's Cup Winners
  • 2011/12 - U14 Girls - RDL East & Central Division Champions & Playoff Winners
  • 2011/12 - U14 Boys -RDL East & Central Division Champions & Playoff Winners
  • 2011/12 - U18 Men - NL Division 2 Champions

Luke (The Highland Oak) Stoltman – Strongman

on Thursday, 24 January 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Luke Stoltman

Luke’s first taste of competition was a gym competition hosted by the Forge Gym - The Dead Shall Rise. This was an unaffiliated deadlift only event. He won this event with no powerlifting training and deadlifted a massive 314kg! From this point he was hooked! The Oak started training when he was 18, but he didn’t really start to take it seriously until the age of 21, he trained more for fun and to stay in shape.  Loving the buzz of competing and finding he had a natural ability he started strongman training in the Summer of 2012.

Luke’s first Strongman competition was Highlands Strongest Man also hosted by the Forge Gym. There were 5 events: Clean and Press Medley, Log, Axle and 1-arm Dumbbell, Silver Dollar Deadlift, Cambered Bar Squat for Reps, Carrying Race and Tyre Flip Medley with 3 different size tyres. Luke scored full points and won every event! The Highland Oak was born. After this competition it was clear that the Oak was set for bigger things and his sights were set on qualifying for Scotland’s Strongest Man. A very big ask as at this point he had only done one strongman competition and would be going up against some of the best in the UK.

With only 8 months of strongman training and one competition under his belt Luke (The Highland Oak) took part in Scotland’s Strongest man Qualifier. This was to decide who will be competing for the actual Scotland’s Strongest Man title. With a solid all round performance Luke took the win in his first national comp. His displays in Arm Over Arm and Shield Carry were phenomenal, with a new Scottish record in Shield Carry - covering 105m while carrying a 180kg shield. The Oak took the win ahead of top British competitors like Steve Cherrie (Scotland's Strongest Man 2011), Ken Nowicki (2nd Place UK’s Strongest Man 2011), and 3x UK Strongest Man finalist Lee Allen. Following his success at this competition Luke has been invited to the UK Qualifier for the European Championships, where the winner will go on to compete in the European Championships and the top 4 will compete in the Giants Live event.

How far will the Oak go?! Regardless Luke has proven himself against some of the UK’s best and has shown massive promise for the future.

“This time last year I hadn't even thought about strongman competitions and now I have a chance to be in a European championship and the giants live. Strange how things turn out.” Luke Stoltman, The Highland Oak

Michael Lee Axon - Body Builder

on Thursday, 10 January 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Lee AxonLee Axon

Michael Lee Axon (known as Lee) is from Newcastle upon Tyne. Lee started his training at the tender age of just 13. Training at this local extreme gym Lee trained just of the love of it and had no intention of competing.
Many years of hard work later he took part in his first competition. And what a first competition it was, Lee placed 4th in the NABBA North Britain First Timers and from that moment on he was hooked!

“I always trained purely for pleasure and I was coerced through friends to finally compete.”

Lee has a very active lifestyle, not only training but he also loves riding his Yamaha R1 and being out and about with his two Chihuahuas (yes you read that right!) Lee uses his Ionic Balance Band to keep him sharp and give him the edge on this training. Lee is intending to compete again in May 2014.

Lee AxonLee Axon

Achievements

NABBA North Britain First Timers - placed 4th

Matti Hemmings - Professional Flatland BMXer

on Thursday, 03 January 2013. Posted in Endorsements

Matti`s sport is flatland BMX. Flatland BMX is an extremely stylish and impressive form of BMXing, utilising fantastic levels of core strength and balance to get the bike to do what you want it to do.

“ Flatland has given me a freedom of expression, it is as much of an art form as it is a sport and has become an important part of my life. It works the brain as well as the body, with the endless combinations that can be created. It is a fantastic way of movement on a BMX.” - Matti Hemmings

Matti Hemmings

In 2010 Matti turned professional performing in national touring shows, organising and hosting events and delivering workshops. In his spare time you can usually find him on tennis courts, abandoned swimming pools or car parks riding and developing new tricks in his unique riding style.

In 2011 Matti Hemmings founded the UK Flatland BMX Championships. It was held in Newport, South Wales as part of the Big Splash Festival. Its aim was to support UK Flatlander BMXers, whilst bringing together both Amateur and Professional Riders from across the UK to a contest environment where both groups had their own individual contests to compete in. The event was hugely successful with over 2000 people in attendance, and plans were put in place to make the 2012 Championships to be an even bigger success.

In 2012 Matti toured with the Olympic Torch Relay & Paralympics Torch Relay and performed for LLoyds TSB & Bank of Scotland across the UK taking part on the convoy, bring excitement to the streets before the Torch Bearers ran passed them. He was involved with the evening celebrations performing on main stage and around the showcase areas.

Michael Worwood - Bboy & Fitness Model

on Friday, 21 December 2012. Posted in Endorsements

Bboy Ninja is a professional Bboy (break dancer).

Michael Worwood

You may have seen him on Sky One's Got To Dance! Michael runs the dance group Methods Of Movement and they made it to the finals.

Michael Worwood

Since the success from the result on Got To Dance they have been working around the world. They have a very busy schedule ahead starting with Salon Intention held at the Excel Centre and they will be performing for Wahl. Michael and Methods Of Movement will also be going on a tour of the UK for Sky TV in November. Michael and two of the other members of Methods Of Movement have been working for 6 years in the industry, from backing artists, TV shows e.g. X Factor, film work e.g. Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, with teaching and workshops.

Michel is also embarking on this Fitness Model career, and has a passion for all things health and fitness. Been a dancer it is very important that he is in top physical condition but is also pay attention to what he eats and follows a strict Vegan diet.

Bronwyn Taylor - Powerlifter / Strongwoman

on Friday, 14 December 2012. Posted in Endorsements

Bronwyn at the Body Power Expo

Bronwyn first started weight training in 2010 to improve her other sports, martial arts in particular. She very quickly found out that her strengths lay in powerlifting /strength sports. Bronwyn made her first statement when at just 15 she deadlifted 125kg (raw) which was twice her body weight! This was recorded by a national newspaper.

In September 2011 she competed in her first powerlifting competition. After only training for under a year Bronwyn set a new Scottish record by lifting a combined weight of 290 kilograms (45st 9lbs) at the Scottish Open championships in Glasgow! Then in December 2011 she competed in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Bournemouth. This was only her second competition but her result was staggering! Winning 4 gold medals and breaking 3 British Records - Bench, Deadlift and Total Weight Lifted – all raw! In February this year, she competed in the British Bench Press Championships in Northampton and won both gold and silver medals (she is now titled Sub-Junior British Bench Press Champion). In May, she attended the Body Power Expo in Birmingham where she was photographed in action by Muscle & Fitness Magazine. A few days later, she represented GB at the World Bench Press Championships in Pilsen (Czech) and returned to Scotland at the end of that week to compete in the Scottish Open Championship in Glasgow.

The speed at which she has progressed is fantastic and although she is training exceptionally hard she is staying injury free due to the care and attention of her father Andrew, who is also her coach.

Bronwyn is a true ambassador for all strength sports for young people and spends a lot of her time helping:

“There are definitely not enough girls my age in the sport. I am hoping that the message is getting across that girls can lift heavy weights and still look feminine. I try to encourage them with help and advice both in the gym and also online. I have many young folk on my fan page and they often ask me a lot of questions.”

Bronwyn not content with just powerlifting decided to have a go at a Strongwoman event. With just one week’s training she competed in Britain’s Strongest Woman. And yet again her results were great finishing  6th out of 9 in the under 75kg category. Bronwyn is a true athlete and has now set her sights on the Olympics and hopes to compete in the 2016 games.

Bronwyn at the Forge Gym

Achievements

Power lifter Bronwyn Taylor completed a 125kg Raw Deadlift at just 15 2x her bodyweight.
Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships - 4 gold medals, breaking 3 British Records for Bench, Deadlift and Total Weight Lifted – raw
British Bench Press Championships (Gold & Silver; Sub Junior British Bench Press Champion)
World Bench Press Championships (Pilsen, Czech) 6th in the World for Sub-Junior (63-72kg category)
Scottish Open Championships – (combined weight of 290kg)
Britain’s Strongest Woman u75kg category – placed 6th
Current lifts:
Squat 100kg (raw)
Deadlift 145kg (raw)
Bench 65kg (raw)
Equipped Bench 90kg

Bronwyn trains at the Forge Gym in Inverness.

Jon Bond - Triathlete

on Friday, 05 October 2012. Posted in Endorsements

Jon BondJon started his training in 2009. His first race was a charity place in the London marathon and did a fantastic time of 3 hours 46 minutes! From there he joined a local running club the Maidstone Harriers and the SRC (Sweatshop Running Club). He entered the club championships which consists of nine races - distances between 10km up to half marathon. By the time Jon had ran seven of the races he had a massive lead and could not be caught and so won the championship!

Jon's first Duathlon was in London, Richmond Park. Jon entered the standard distance which consists of 10km run, 20km bike and 5km run and achieved 16th overall and 4th in age Group from over 1500 starters, again a massive achievement for his first duathlon.

Over the past three years he has competed in over 100 races across the UK and Europe, achieving two wins and over 20 top ten finishes.

Achievements

Triathlon

East Grinstead Sprint Tri (first ever race) 25th overall 11th in A/G.
Team Outragous Midweek Sprint (2nd race)-  12th overall 8th in A/G.
Tri-Star Estonia 111 1km swim 100km bike 10km run - 39th overall 3rd in A/G.
The Windfarmer Sprint Lydd - 1st in A/G 2nd fastest bike 3rd fastest run 4th Overall.
Marshman – 3rd overall
Ironman UK 70.3 – 20th AG, qualification for World Championships

Duathlon

Dorney lake winter series - format 5km run 20km bike 5km run.
Round 1 - 9th overall.
Round 2 - 7th overall.
Round 3 - 6th overall.
Round 4 - 5th overall.

Top 10 finishes for the whole series.

Chilham castle Duathlon – 2nd overall.

Personal Bests

5km – 16.47
10km – 34.01
10 mile – 60.02
Half Marathon – 1.19
Marathon – 3.06

Planned Races for 2012

September - Ironman 70.3 World Championships, Las Vegas

Follow Jon

Alejandro Ayerra Vives – Personal Trainer & Bodybuilder / Model

on Friday, 05 October 2012. Posted in Endorsements

Alejandro Ayerra VivesBorn May 15, 1991 in Pollensa, Mallorca - Alejandro is currently working as a personal trainer to help people the develop the body they want, passing on his knowledge and doing what he loves. Alejandro has had an interest in sports and well-being from a very young age, having been involved in judo and also football. However it was from the age of 17 that he started taking this training to the next level and discovered the world of bodybuilding fitness and self-discipline.

He went on to include his enthusiam for training and diet into his career. Studying Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Vic (Barcelona) he also qualified as personal trainer. During this time although very busy he did not neglect his own training and competed in the IFBB Muscle Beach Gym Tonic 2011 and finished 3rd in his very first competition.

In 2012 Alejandro's professional modeling career began. Although a novice in the modelling world, many brands and agencies have expressed great interest. With much competition the road will not be easy, but his enthusiasm and determination will allow him to look forward to a successful and exciting future.

Alejandro Ayerra Vives

Alejandro Ayerra Vives Alejandro Ayerra Vives

Alejandro Ayerra Vives

Thomas Parkes – Strongman / Powerlifter

on Wednesday, 08 August 2012. Posted in Endorsements

Tom Parkes

Tom is the newest up and coming strength athlete in Scotland right now. Tom from Point on the Isle of Lewis has achieved so much in a such a short space of time. Training from just his garage he has forged himself a very promising career. At just 21 years of age and after just 2 years of training Tom competed in the North Midland Powerlifting Championship. He won his category on the day and his raw bench press of 145kg broke the current Scottish Bench Press Record for his age and weight. Tom qualified for the British Finals in July 2012. Since then, he has competed in the Scottish Open Championships in which he won his section on the day and won the Scottish Under 23 Title.

After this performance Tom was selected to represent Scotland as part of the Scotland Squad for the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in October 2011 where he won four gold medals. Gold for each individual discipline (Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift) as well as the overall Gold and the Commonwealth Title.

Tom then wanted to try his hand at Strongman. Strong man is very different from Powerlifting. It requires not only all out strength for one repetition, but also strength endurance, power and cardio vascular fitness and is very demanding on every part of the body. So far Tom has won is first competition in Strongman (Crayford Mazda Classic Novice Strongman). His new goals are Scotland’s Strongest Man and UK`s Strongest Man.

2010 - Scottish Junior Powerlifting Heavyweight Champion
2010 - Scottish Junior Powerlifting Bench Press and Total Record Holder
2011 - Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Powerlifting Champion – Gold medallist
2012 - Winner of the Crayford Mazda Classic Novice Strongman
2012 - UK North Strongman Champion
2012 - UKSC Scotland's Strongest Junior Strongman

Upcoming Comps - UK's Strongest Man

You can keep up to date with Tom`s training, comps and results by following him on twitter @tomparkes01

Mailing List

Secure Site

Wildcard SSL Certificates

Contact Us

Sports Performance & Technology Centre
1 Carsegate Road North
Inverness, IV3 8DU, UK

0843 28 98 120

Full Details