Testimonials

Since January 2021I have been fortunate to train and socialise with a fantastic group of people at InnerFight in Studio City. During the first 6 months I continued my focused training on functional fitness and was encouraged with the continued improvement. However, one thing I have learned over these last 3 years of self-improvement is to always consider different challenges and never shy away from new activities. When taking my daughters to their weekend class, I was always intrigued by the group of people who would meet early on the weekends under the watchful eye of coach Andy McTaggart – I would later find out these people were called the ‘Strongman’ group!  Taking large kettlebells for a walk around the parking lot, pushing sleds with enough weight to challenge that of a Sumo wrestler, and doing it under the Dubai sun each weekend was of immediate interest to me.  

I approached Andy about the class availability and suitability to someone with my skill sets, and as always, he was very encouraging and invited me along to the next session. I have never considered myself someone who could lift heavy, and certainly not a strongman!  However, like most things’ fitness in the last 3 years, I was immediately hooked. Andy has a great way of creating a positive environment, encouraging his clients when needed, and critiquing when necessary. Of course, it is easier to get carried away with these classes when the coach (Andy) himself is a Strongman and can demonstrate each movement perfectly, highlighting areas where you may need to scale accordingly, or conversely, push harder when necessary. 

With each class carefully programmed by Andy himself, it is hard to express through these words how impressed I am with the results being witnessed. Grip strength, explosive power, strength endurance, to name but a few, all of these have improved significantly. Of course, this has then led to every lift, with barbell and dumbbell, improving too, but it is the personal knowledge gains which I appreciate the most. Understanding what good technique looks like, and why it is required for such lifting activities to ensure you stay healthy and safe – this is the sign of a GREAT coach.  Andy not only makes you a stronger athlete, but a more informed one too! Here is to many more Strongman sessions with our weekend warriors!  

Robbie McArthur – Sep 2021