Categories
Why We Train the Way We Do at POWER
(And Why We Don’t Just Make It Up As We Go).
At POWER, every session you show up to — and every move we ask you to do — has a purpose. Nothing’s random, nothing’s thrown in for the sake of it, and we’re definitely not making it up on the spot to keep you entertained.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why we stick to the same core movements (and why we don’t believe in ‘random exercises for the sake of variety’ workouts), this one’s for you.
We Train for Life — Not Just for the Gym
We’re not here to turn you into a bodybuilder, an Olympic athlete, or someone who lives for personal bests. We’re here to help you feel stronger, move better, and stay active for life — the kind of fitness that makes everything else in life easier.
That means everything we programme is designed to make your body work better for the stuff you actually need to do — like lifting your suitcase into the overhead locker, getting up and down from the floor without needing a helping hand, or keeping up with the dog on a long walk without paying for it the next day.
But it’s not just about making life feel easier today — it’s about future-proofing your body so you’re set up for the long haul. Strength training doesn’t just help with fitness — it helps with:
Body Composition & Weight Management (Especially As We Get Older)
This is exactly why we prioritise strength training over endless amounts of cardio at POWER.
As we age, we naturally lose muscle — and that slows down our metabolism. Strength training helps keep muscle on (so you burn more calories at rest), which makes it easier to manage your weight without having to eat like a rabbit. It also helps keep body fat in check — so if you’re looking to prevent or shift those love handles that seem to appear out of nowhere after 40, this is how you do it.
On top of that, keeping muscle and managing body fat reduces your risk of things like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and all those unwelcome health niggles that creep in with age.
VO2 Max – Your Heart & Lungs Matter More Than You Think
This is why we finish your sessions with a blast on the cardio kit or why we introduced our ZONES class — because improving your fitness (not just your strength) helps you live longer and feel better.
VO2 max is a fancy way of measuring how well your body uses oxygen when you move — and it’s one of the biggest predictors of how long you’ll live. Research shows people with higher VO2 max (better fitness) live 5+ years longer than those with lower scores.
Men — aim to keep yours above 35 mL/kg/min into older age.
Women — aim to keep yours above 25 mL/kg/min.
Not sure what that means? A 9-12 minute mile (or brisk walk equivalent) in your 50s or 60s puts you in a very good place.
Balance & Stability – The Silent Superpower
This is why strength training plays such a huge role in what we do at POWER — because strong muscles = better balance and stability.
It’s also why you’ll see us include stretches and mobility work at the end of your sessions, or in our Stretch class — because staying strong and mobile is the ultimate combination for keeping your body moving well and feeling great for the long term.
Most people don’t think about balance until they start losing it — but good balance is one of the biggest indicators of healthy ageing.
You should be able to stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds — that’s a simple but powerful sign your balance is where it should be.
And being able to get up off the floor without using your hands? That’s a brilliant marker of strength, mobility, and future independence.
We’ve Seen It All — And This Works Best
Between us, we’ve spent the last 16-18 years working in the fitness industry. We’ve read almost every book, attended the courses, followed the experts, and spent far too many hours down rabbit holes looking for ‘better ways’ to train people.
We’ve tried the trends, dabbled in the fads, and even had a flirt with workouts we’d rather forget.
And after all that? You always end up back at the basics done really well — because that’s what actually works. It’s not fancy, it won’t make the headlines, but it delivers every single time.
The Big 6 — What Your Body Actually Needs
Every session at POWER is built around 6 key movement patterns. Why? Because these are literally the only ways your body can move. That’s it. There’s no magical 7th move waiting to be discovered.
So rather than reinvent the wheel, we just help you get really, really good at these 6 — because if you’re strong at these, life feels easier.
Here’s what they are:
Squat – For sitting, standing, and tackling stairs without needing a handrail like it’s your best mate.
Hinge – For picking things up without pulling faces or grabbing your back.
Push – For arms, shoulders and chest strength — and opening those heavy doors without muttering under your breath.
Pull – For a strong back, better posture, and looking like you know what you’re doing.
Carry – Because life is full of things to carry (and we’d rather you do it without needing two trips).
Core – For balance, stability, and keeping you solid through life’s twists and turns — not for the kind of six-pack you only see on Love Island.
The Latest Trends — Do I Actually Need Them?
Hyrox, Cold plunges, Red light therapy, Reformer Pilates,… the list goes on.
We get it — it’s easy to get sucked in by shiny new fitness trends that promise to fix everything. But here’s the truth: you don’t need any of them to get strong, toned, fit and feel great for life.
We’ve seen them all before — first it was vibration plates, then CrossFit, now Hyrox (basically CrossFit with a rebrand). And Reformer Pilates? It’s been knocking about since the 1920s. There’s a reason these come and go — because trends fade, but strength training always stands the test of time.
Want a stronger core? Every lift, squat, row and carry we do at POWER works your core properly, not just lying on a mat squeezing your abs and hoping for the best.
Want better posture? Strengthen the muscles that hold you up — glutes, back, core — instead of spending hours trying to stretch yourself straight.
Want flexibility? Strength training through full ranges of motion builds strength and flexibility at the same time (double win).
Want to tone up? Pilates doesn’t ‘tone’ anything. Toning = keeping your muscle with strength training + managing your body fat with nutrition. That’s it.
And Hyrox?
Sure, running around in circles and beating yourself up to shave a few seconds off your time feels satisfying — but is it actually making you stronger, healthier or more capable in everyday life? Not really.
Why Training for Life Always Wins
At POWER, everything we do comes back to this — we train you for real life, not just gym life.
We want you to:
Keep up with your family (and the dog)
Feel strong, capable and confident — now and in 10 years’ time
Move well and stay pain-free
We’ve seen every fitness fad under the sun — and after nearly two decades in the industry, we know this: fads come and go, but smart strength training always delivers.
The flashy stuff might look exciting, but it won’t keep you strong for life.
Any questions? Curious how this works for you?
Just ask — we love chatting about this stuff, and we’re always here to help you feel stronger, move better, and enjoy life more (with a few laughs along the way).
See you in the gym,
Team POWER