Strongman Training with #SquatbotSquad and Biceps & Bronzer

As you guys know, I started personal training sessions with That Squat Bot earlier this year. It has opened up a side of me that I never really engaged with before (or enjoyed) and has helped me learn about keeping fit and healthy. I’m not the only one that’s been on a journey this year, as Sarah (the Squatbot herself) has also been on the path to becoming a full time personal training. As part of her journey, Sarah has started to put on women’s only events to help build a positive girl power fitness community – and her latest one was a strongman training class with Biceps and Bronzer.

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Laura Hoggins of Biceps & Bronzer is head trainer at Ministry of Sound Fitness in London and is an absolute Insta Fitspo star! As featured in Women’s Health, Laura is well respected in the fitness industry and so I couldn’t pass up my body functionally. So, on a Saturday afternoon (after a morning session of PT might I add!) I headed along with a group of other strong women to Train Heald Green in South Manchester to take on the latest #SquatBotSquad challenge.

As soon as we arrived Laura had our workout written out on the white board (proper crossfit style apparently) and got us into a warm up. During the warm up we were all asked our names and why we love fitness, and took part in some fun tasks like pairing up with a stranger and trying to tap them on their hips and ankles whilst trying to avoid being tapped ourselves. It was a fun ice breaker and helped us to get all nice and warm alongside some more traditional exercises including squats and burpees.

For the main part of the event, Laura showed us some classic strongman moves, like how to pick up a log (that really heavy weird shaped pole thing) and although I couldn’t quite do it myself, it was fun to try and really cool to see all the other girls achieve it and cheer them on!

We also did 20 minutes of circuits with 5 minutes on four different cycles, taking part in activities such as deadlifting – where my attractive double chin was able to lift heavier than I ever have so far! – and sledge dragging. We also learnt functional ways to lift sandbags, lift super heavy tyres and use a sledge hammer type thing (there must be a proper fitness word for this!) alongside exercises that I know and love (kinda) such as Goblin squats.

After the workouts, we all gathered round and had the chance to chat together with Sarah and Laura over a post-workout shake from Whey Box, who provided us with Blueberry Vegan Protein Shakes and were treated to goodie bags including sachets of protein, info from local charity and good cause Millie’s Trust and the most adorable fitness themed mirror trinkets from AMWRAP (who I am now obsessed with on social!).

It was an amazing afternoon and so inpsiring to see so many strong women in one room, both experts and beginners. It was a day filled with good vibes and ladies cheering on other ladies and it was so great to be able to shout ‘yaaaas queen’ to so many different types of girls! Honestly, if you get a chance to attend a #SquatbotSquad event I would totally recommend it, whether you are already a #fitspo convert or a beginner like me, as everyone is so friendly, welcoming, and inspiring.