What our clients have to say:
Sam Fairbairn, 28, Key Account Manager, Edinburgh, UK
What was your reason for joining Thrive Membership?
I have always been interested in functional fitness and ensuring that my body is ready to cope with the demands of any situation. Mobility was always a facet of my fitness that I had neglected for years because I never really understood how to improve it and how to do it safely. Therefore, my main reason for joining Thrive was to improve my mobility and “prop-up” my other pillars of health like strength and aerobic fitness. Also, I knew from watching Alex’s videos that he was trying to get a different message across, one designed to cut through all the noise in the fitness advice you see on the internet. It really resonated with me because of that.
What hesitations did you have prior to signing up?
The main hesitation I had was not knowing what to expect but I don’t believe that was from any lack of clarity but more so that mobility and strength training was such an alien concept to me. I had no idea about what progress to expect but those hesitations were settled quickly once I began to take a few classes.
How has the membership helped you?
The main benefit of the membership I’ve experienced has been a significant increase in my range of motion during my gym workouts and, far less injuries when going for my runs. I used to experience a lot of calf strain, for example, when I would run more than 10K in a week but since taking Alex’s post and pre-run sessions I’ve experienced next to know pain or strain. I feel less injury prone over all and far more mobile even in daily activities like standing up and sitting down. My body feels healthier and full of vitality. It’s hard to explain but it feels almost like the dust on my bones, joints and all the bits in between has been cleaned off.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?
I can confidently train all the major muscle groups without fear of injury or strain. This comes from learning with the Thrive membership how to properly warm up my joints and muscles and how, with the CAR routines, to keep them healthy. I feel safer when I train and believe I can hit the goals that have eluded me for so long. Alex truly has helped me develop a whole new appreciation for mobility and it now forms an integral part of my functional fitness. I’m so grateful Alex set up the Thrive membership and the work he continues to do to improve it.
Gord Litster, 66, Endurance Cyclist, Victoria, Canada (1-to-1 Client)
What was your reason for training 1-to-1?
Achilles, general flexibility.
What hesitations did you have prior to starting a programme?
I was very hesitant to try an online session. However it proved to be easy and provided me with better feedback and instructions compared to previous in person sessions.
How has training 1-to-1 helped you?
I have gone from wondering if I would ever get back to where I was to believing I will surpass where I was in just over 12 weeks.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?
I can once again join challenging group and club rides. I am now planning to return to do Paris Brest Paris in 2023.
Anything Else?
General awareness of what I need to do for a better quality of life. Alex has given me the necessary tools to age much more gracefully.
I really appreciate his patience, knowledge and ability to communicate....even to an old dog. I did learn some new tricks.
Anna, 26, Sustainability Consultant & Newbie-Wild Swimmer, Edinburgh, UK (1-to-1 Client)
What was your reason for training 1-to-1?
I'd had issues with my shoulders for years and had never quite managed to resolve the problem - an upside to lockdown was that I slowed down enough to want to properly resolve the issue, without giving up on having a desk-based job forever!
What hesitations did you have prior to starting a programme?
I've seen physios, chiropractors etc.. before, all without creating long-term change, so I wasn't 100% convinced this would help either.
How has training 1-to-1 helped you?
I've built shoulder strengthening into my weekly routine, and for the first time in years have gone days without any discomfort at all. I also now understand that looking after my body can't be a tick-box exercise, but rather has to be maintenance! I am so much stronger now, know what I need to do when they flare up. I especially love the 'shoulder snacks' - a couple of movements to do when I'm boiling the kettle or taking a quick break to keep myself comfortable at my desk.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?
Use gymnastics rings! And go whole days without getting distracted about shoulder discomfort - it doesn't sound like a big deal but it's upped my quality of life, so thank you!
Anything else you would like to add?
Alex is also just lovely to be around and such positive energy to be around and learn from.
Natalie, Administrator/Cinema Enthusiast, Edinburgh, UK (Online Member)
“Having never exercised much, deciding to get fit during lockdown was a daunting prospect. I was worried about causing damage to my neck and other joints which I've had problems with over the years. But Alex's clear, easy to follow CARs tutorials and fun, engaging classes have been phenomenal in improving my mobility and getting my body into better condition, making my workouts and yoga practices safer, more comfortable and more effective. I can push myself further in the movements, and achieve more. I'm so grateful for his excellent instruction, generous support and eternally cheerful personality!"
Daniel M., Wind Turbine Technician, Sweden (1-to-1 Client)
What was your reason for training 1-to-1?
At the end of 2017 i had a serious accident that nearly crippled me, nearly caused me to lose a limb, nearly caused me to lose the function of my right hand and took me 3 years to recover from. I had problems with pain in my ankles, pelvis/hips and right shoulder. I also had minimal core strength, and poor stability. Walking for more than 5/10 minutes would lead pain in my ankles, and then also my lower back as i would tire quickly. Previous to my accident i had a job in engineering and spent most of the day on my feet moving around. I was a body building, and i loved hill walking. I was dealing with a serious bout of depression as i thought i would have to give up on my former lifestyle.
What hesitations did you have prior to starting a programme?
Before starting with Alex, my only real hesitation was that my outlook on life would still be limited by what had happened to me, and that despite the training my life would still look the same.
How has training 1-to-1 helped you?
Working with Alex has changed my life again. Hopefully nobody cringes when they read that sentence, but i really cant overstate the impact working with Alex has had. I am fitter and stronger post accident than i ever thought i would be, and the advice and guidance Alex has given me allows me to lead a virtually pain free life. This is something that astounds me, but not as much as it astounds the surgical team who wanted to remove my leg.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?
Following my accident, my pain issues and poor mobility made me feel like i had very few options. I gave up on my old life and old self, and suffered a consequent depression which i feel i am finally climbing free of.
Several weeks ago, after working with Alex for around 6 months i climbed my first Munro since 2017. In the years since my accident i had desk based office jobs which did not fulfil me. I now have a job building Wind Turbines, and spend most of my days on my feet. This job involves lots of walking, lifting, moving and generally being active. I exercise around 5 days a week on top of my job, and walking to the shops, taking the dogs for a walk, or going into town to meet friends no longer worries me. I no longer have to be concerned about how im going to get from A to B without a car.
Anything else you would like to add?
In an indirect way, Alex has helped me significantly with my mental health. Serious injuries can have an untold impact on your mental wellbeing as much as your physical, and without a doubt i seriously struggled with mine after my accident. Training with Alex, and my subsequent physical recovery has been foundational in the overall improvement of my mental wellbeing. I feel i can now achieve the goals in life i dreamed of before hurting myself. Being in a position to achieve those goals after having previously given up on them is priceless.
If you’ve suffered a serious injury that is interrupting your life and your struggling to recover from, whether your a professional footballer, or you work in an office, Alex is the man you need to speak to. He is 100% the right choice.
“Sharon Iacono, 48, Movement Teacher, Sports Massage Therapist, FRCms” (Online Member)
What was your reason for joining Thrive Membership?
I joined Thrive Membership as I was looking for a Mobility class to compliment my fitness regime. I did Yoga and Cycling, but felt I was lacking strength and stability.
If you had them, what hesitations did you have prior to signing up?
I had no hesitations. I did a trial class with Alex and loved it. Also, the membership is really reasonable. You get 2 live classes per week, 1 pre-recorded and also access to the on demand library where there are classes for everything. Such good value, I have been recommending it to all of my friends and clients.
How has the membership helped you?
The membership has helped me find a routine. I now start each day with my morning CARs. This alone leaves me feeling looser and happier in my body to start my day. And I make sure I set time aside to do at least one live class and one pre-recorded per week. Functional mobility is a great compliment to the stretching of yoga and I also feel stronger and more balanced on my bike. I have also now started my own journey into Functional Mobility. Since training for my FRC qualification, I now add more functional movement into my classes.
What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?
I have better balance and control of my body. I feel happier, stronger and my movement feels easier, yet more connected. I’m gaining more range of motion in my joints, but in a good way. Instead of the laxity I felt with sometimes over stretching in yoga, I feel that I have more control.