Head Coach - James Ainley
James Ainley is a strength & conditioning coach and graduate of Loughborough University, the world’s number 1 sport science institute.
James previously coached Team GB Para-Powerlifting who went on to compete in the Paralympics, and he is a highly competitive British powerlifter holding the following qualifications:
MSc Strength & Conditioning, Loughborough University
BSc Sport, Exercise & Health Science, University of Birmingham
Active IQ Level 3 Personal Trainer
Coaching Experience
3 Years Powerlifting Coaching
Team GB Para-Powerlifting Coach 2022-2023
Multiple years coaching at the Gym Group and Everyone Active achieving successful outcomes with a wide range of demographics.
Photo -Spotting Liam Mcgarry during a Team GB Para-Powerlifting Training Session
Photo - Handling Austin at the Sub-Junior UK Powerlifting Nationals
Academic Experience
1st - Sport Exercise & Health Sciences - University of Birmingham
(Top 10 Ranked Sport Science University Worldwide)
Distinction - MSc Strength and Conditioning - Loughborough University
(Number 1 Ranked Sport Science University Worldwide)
Athletic Experience
Athletics - County and District Levels in Sprinting and Cross Country.
Football - Academy (Man City & Everton) + District Level.
Powerlifting - Currently Competing at the National Level. (Top 80 ranked 93kg Junior of all time in the UK).
Over a Decade of Resistance Training
Photo - British University Powerlifting Championships 2023
10 Years Natural Physique & Strength Progression
Something I pride myself on as a coach is that i practice what i preach. Everything i say here about health, fitness and lifestyle i truly believe and I know this can be seen in my own results and consistency. I am on the same journey as everyone else just trying to improve and progress over time.
Physique Progression
Over 1 Year into training - 16 - 60kg
10 Years into Resistance Training - 23 - 94kg
Strength Progression
I also did perform the squat, bench and deadlift before i competed. Although my focus was more bodybuilding focused up until the age of 20 i have always performed these movements as i really enjoyed them. A few transformation videos i have linked below which show my progress between 16/17 and 22 for each lift. For reference i started resistance training at 14 so had a couple years under my belt these were the first videos i could find for each.
Squats - 140kg @16 > 240 @23 - Instagram
Bench - 115 @16 > 172.5 @23 - Instagram
Deadlift - 200 @17 > 277.5 @23- Instagram
Coaching Philosophy/Approach
I take an individualized approach, in my programming but also in the ways i communicate with my clients where I aim to establish and maintain strong coach-client relationships. I have solid principles and science to back my approaches but am also flexible and can adapt my programming to the given individual in front of me. I like to give the client choice and don’t believe coaching should be a dictatorship but can work really well as a collaborative effort if desired.
Often times i feel components that contribute to long term results are neglected such as sleep, nutrition, stress management etc. which i encourage my clients to pay attention to and educate them on how they can build healthy, sustainable habits specific to their lifestyle improving their training results and overall wellbeing.
I emphasize the importance to my clients of staying in their own lane focusing on their process and trying to block out the noise when they can which is ever present fitness industry with many charlatans talking nonsense.
Who Have I learnt from?
I have learnt from 2 world class sport science and strength and conditioning programs at Birmingham and Loughborough Universities which included professors/doctors such as Leigh Breen, Gareth Wallis, Richard Blagrove, Jonathan Folland and Bill Hague to name a few. I have been fortunate to learn under Team GB Para-Powerlifting head coaches Ben Richens and Tom Whittaker, also personally being coached by Team GB IPF Powerlifting Coaches Luke Rogers & Alex Pearson-Jones Currently. Others i have learnt from have been Renaissance Periodization, Eric Helms, Data Driven Strength, Reactive Training Systems, Jeff Nippard, AJ Morris and TrainedByJP who are leading scientists and/or practitioners in their respective fields. Along with the Powerlifting Now crew which is one of my favorite powerlifting specific resources.
More about Me
When i am not training or coaching other interests i have are seeing friends, meditation, walks and coffee. I also really enjoy horror/thriller films and series - specifically murder mystery with slasher being my favorite of all time. I also enjoy reading none-fiction and have been a big UFC fan for around 10 years at this point.