Testimonials

Comments and feedback from working with Alex as a professional colleague or as a client…

Testimonials

I am very passionate about what I do. I want to help people become stronger and fitter through physical exercise.

I want you to experience wellness. No one should just ‘put up’ with pain.

Going through a process of strength & conditioning and rehabilitation will help you become more robust and resilient and also help you reach your goals.

Below you will find some thoughts and experiences from clients and colleagues. I take great pride in helping people and hope that some of the thoughts below reflect this.

Some of the high performance athletes who Alex has worked with

Over the past 14 years, Alex has managed to keep group training, for a range of abilities and age, engaging and entertaining; no small feat particularly when dealing with a bright and challenging group. Her one to one sessions and her attention to detail in the preparation of my weekly individual programme has allowed me to, not only remain injury free, but also to remain at World Rugby’s “optimal” physical level throughout my career. Being in my 40s, support from Alex is essential to ensure I keep progressing and keep performing on the international Rugby Union stage.

Wayne BarnesWorld Rugby Referee of the Year 2019, Rugby World Cup Final Referee, Paris 2023. 111 International Test Match Caps.

'I worked with Alex at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club between 2003-2007 and throughout that time I have been extremely impressed with her application of strength and conditioning principals and professionalism with the players at the Club. During this time, Alex worked with great enthusiasm to improve the level of conditioning which helped us win the Premiership South Reserve League by a 12-point margin during season 2005-2006. In her role at the Club, Alex contributed to the success of the first team (5th in the Premiership) as well as her role in the rehabilitation and return to training of injured players. Her application and knowledge in the areas of speed, power, endurance and recovery strategies, I feel, contributed greatly to the physical development of the players and the results they attained'

Clive AllenTottenham Hotspur Football Club Reserve Team Manager and Former England International Footballer.

“Having been a professional referee with the RFU for ten years, Perform Fitness and in particular Alex Reid, develops my weekly programmes along with all monitoring systems to ensure that I am constantly progressing with physical levels. She has the expertise to tailor my training so I stay fit for purpose and peaking at certain key points of the season. In 2019 she helped me achieve my goal in being selected to referee at the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Without her ongoing support I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this. Here’s to the next four years of physical development putting me in the frame for France 2023”

Luke PearceProfessional Referee, RFU & World Rugby

'Due to horrific injuries sustained in a car accident, I spent every day of my rehabilitation working with Alex. Immediately after the accident, medical experts felt that I would be unable to walk again but with the encouragement, support and professionalism of Alex, my recovery went beyond expectations and I returned to play for my Club and Country once again. I feel that Alex helped me as much as anyone, if not more, in my rehabilitation not only physically, but mentally every day throughout this challenge.'

Chris ColemanProfessional Footballer, Welsh International Player & Manager and Football Manager at various clubs around the world.

'Alex was responsible for my rehabilitation and physical training for over 2 and a half years. In my first season at Fulham Football Club I experienced a hamstring injury. It was a potentially career threatening injury, but with the constant work that I did with Alex at the training ground, I returned back to competition stronger than I was before. Alex worked tirelessly with me everyday. This quality work enabled me to continue my professional playing career and I know this is the case for numerous other players at Fulham Football Club. Alex is one of the most knowlegeable people in her field and that I have worked alongside in my career, more importantly, she is motivational, mentally working on players minds, keeping them positive during difficult periods of their professional careers.'

John CollinsProfessional Footballer, Scotland International

So my thoughts about when I was first exposed to S&C that you introduced: How was it going to help me, I was pretty fit already? Would I improve as much as you said I would in reasonable timescales? Was it going to make any difference to me on the pitch? And how it has affected me professionally as a referee: Invaluable!!!! Improved my physical appearance, tone and shape Improved my movement and speed off the mark significantly Improved my confidence, physically and mentally (not only can I move more quickly and “be there” to referee, I know that I can be there, and so my focus is on decision making and accuracy not worrying about blowing out of my bum) Respect from players (male and female), Directors of Rugby and other coaches. I have enjoyed the challenge of the S&C which is specific to my needs, capabilities and ambitions. The sessions are enjoyable and not too long and I feel the benefits continually in my day-to-day life but also on the pitch. This 6 Nations (2015) was very successful for me, and I refereed 3 games, France v Scotland, Ireland v France and Wales v Ireland. Only one other referee had 3 games, all of the others had 1 or 2 games. I see my appointments as a reflection of the confidence of the selectors in me and my continued physical capabilities at the highest level.

Claire HodnettInternational Referee, 2014 & 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup, 6 Nations and the first female National Panel Referee for the RFU

”I was a keen runner having completed 14 marathons (11) London, New York, Paris and Venice with a best time of just under the magical 3hr mark so ‘good for my age’ as the organisers would say up until five year ago. Since 2009 I have had to put up with running with the pain of an Achilles problem in my right foot, which whilst it undoubtedly compromised my performance, like many I am sure I was able to tolerate, so persevered with the problem rather than getting it treated. If I’m honest I thought it was just another thing to put down to age. Towards the end of last year however the pain intensified and I finally sort advice meeting up with a Sport Physician who told me I had Achilles tendinopathy from which my right leg had deteriorated quite badly in terms of leg movement, strength and control. The specialist’s advice was simple: a proper rehabilitation programme with a strength and conditioning specialist would sort this out once and for all and he recommended Alex Reid. Alex and I have been working together now since October 2013 and I am delighted to report that I have now been running completely pain free for some two months, my leg strength, movement and control have also all improved dramatically, can you believe I’m even thinking of doing another marathon…” (March 2014) ”I still see Alex every week and she adapts the conditioning sessions to my training goals: motor racing, cycling, running. The sessions are challenging, intense and fun and I feel really physically capable as a result”.

Lee MowleBritish GT3 Racing Driver, Private Client

Some of the private Clients who Alex has worked with:

For almost three years, I battled with knee pain due to arthritis and past injuries. Walking and stairs were a struggle, often accompanied by excruciating pain. Sideways descents became my norm. I finally found the right medication and turned to Alex for rehab. Her knowledge, diverse exercises, and uplifting encouragement have been life-changing. Rehab isn't just a task; it's kinda fun now! I can walk without a limp, conquer stairs, and feel stronger. Thanks to Alex, muscles are making a comeback. Confidence restored — I'm even hitting the slopes in four weeks!

"I’m a keen marathon runner (37 completed to date) but had to stop all running for over a year due to the pain brought on by a plantar fasciitis injury in my left foot. Having sought various treatment over several months I still could not get back to running. As soon as I spoke to Alex about it, things started to change! She prescribed a tailored programme for me involving strength and stretching exercises and, probably more importantly, provided tons of encouragement and motivation to being disciplined about sticking to the programme. Alex conveys her expert knowledge in a way that makes it easy for me to understand why the pain is there and how the programme is helping me to heal. The end result: I’m pain free for the first time in over a year and am back on the trails, in running shoes, following a gradual return programme provided by Alex. I’m all the happier for it - thanks Alex for getting me over the line!"

"Alex has transformed my fortunes as a runner. I came to her with practically chronic knee pain (and, it has to be said, a few less successful stints with other physios) caused largely it seemed, by ITB syndrome. Thanks to Alex’s unfailingly positive, patient and encouraging approach, and by following the detailed training programme she put together using in-depth knowledge, to strengthen glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves, I now run pain-free. I trust my muscles much more than before, and my Park Run and half-marathon PBs are improving. It is confidence-boosting to know that I am being trained by someone who has spent time both on the bench at White Hart Lane looking after footballers, and on-field at Twickenham training referees. In short, she has improved my life!"

Max BarleyPrivate client, 2019

I brought my 18yr old elite basketball-playing daughter to Alex on recommendation, following months of agonising knee pain. I cannot begin to thank my lucky stars for the introduction: her knee tendinopathy had been crippling her game and she had been in pain for months, despite us seeking help elsewhere. It was Alex’s attention to detail, determination to succeed and relentless belief that she could help her that led to a fantastic outcome which has resulted in a stronger, more protective and resilient set of muscles which will hopefully now go a long way to reducing her risk of further injury. Alex devised a clear and logical strengthening programme which my daughter found easy to follow and rewarding to complete. We had several face-to-face appointments after which Alex was able to adapt and push the programme to meet her changing needs. But it is not only Alex’ professionalism and vast knowledge and experience that I want to acknowledge. Alex related so well to my teenager: when she was at her lowest and couldn’t see a future in basketball due to her knee pain, Alex picked her up with unending encouragement, promoting her self-belief and giving advice that helped her far more than I could have done as a mother. She goes above and beyond in her role as an S&C expert…and it’s for that very reason I will be keeping her contact details very tightly held! Thank you so much Alex.

Claire Black, Mother.Private Client, 2021

I ruptured my Achilles tendon in December 2016. After consultation with the Orthopaedic Surgeon, I decided on conservative treatment rather than surgery. I finally started physiotherapy in March 2017 and by the end of the year, I had substantially returned to normal. I started seeing Alex in early 2018 and what Alex has done is help me take my recovery to the next level. She has tailored exercise plans to support my aim of strengthening and rebuilding the tendon and muscles, whilst setting achievable programmes and targets that fit into my lifestyle. She has also been enormously encouraging and supportive. The most important thing for me is that as my training has progressed, my confidence has started to return. I now feel able to push myself whilst exercising without fear of injury. My journey is not over yet but with Alex’s support, I am sure that my next 10k is just around the corner and maybe just maybe Alex will be running with me.

Emily WoodPrivate client, September 2019

"I had suffered from hamstring tendinopathy for almost two years and frustratingly found myself still struggling to resolve the problem. As a consequence, I have made a number of attempts to return to running, all of which ended in failure. I consider myself to have been most fortunate in having been referred to Alex Reid and have never looked back. Alex put together a comprehensive strength and conditioning training programme that addressed the underlying problems and built the necessary strength. She ensured that the programme progressed continuously so I was always challenged and gained maximum benefit from my effort. After six months, I was back running and the happiest person in the world. Her knowledge, professionalism and understanding is unrivalled and she is a lovely person to work with as well! I am enormously indebted to Alex and have no hesitation in recommending her."

Diane MillsPrivate client, February 2020

I had incurred a high hamstring tendinopathy - and had been unable to run for 5 months despite adhering to physio exercises and expensive electric shock therapy. Alex's Strength & Conditioning Program led to a dramatic improvement and after 5 months I was running again. Now 8 months on I feel no twinge or pain at all. The sessions were very enjoyable, as Alex is great company - and she provides a program via software that enables and guides interim exercises that are a critical part of the success. I would recommend Alex to anyone looking for help in dealing with an injury. Alex is very knowledgeable; has a helpful, friendly yet authoritative style and is so much fun to 'suffer' with as she takes you through the hard work that leads to recovery. I highly recommend her input.

Jane WileyOld Triathlete, Private Client 2021

Over the past few years I had developed sciatica, knee problems and plantar fasciitis. However, I had longed to go to the Himalayas for many years and so I sought the advise of a sports medicine doctor who then referred me to Alex. I first met Alex in December 2017 and she took a very detailed medical history followed by a thorough physical assessment. She then liaised with my physiotherapist and came up with a balanced and complete programme for me to follow. I met her once a week and trained on my own twice a week to her programme. Throughout the 6 months that I was involved with Alex, she held my hand every step of the way. I could barely walk about a year prior to meeting her, and hence I had lost of a lot of my confidence, but she was instrumental in keeping me motivated with tremendous patience and encouragement. And thanks to her support, I successfully completed my trip to the Himalayas last month. I’ve returned to my old gym after a 6 months break and my personal trainer has been very impressed with the progress that I have made with Alex and has been pushing me harder than ever. I am extremely grateful to Alex for her professionalism, knowledge and empathy, because of which I was able to make my long standing dream into a beautiful reality.

SBPrivate Client, 2018

A friend recommended Alex to me as I suffer from abdominal pains after a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction using tissue from my abdomen. I have to admit that I wasn’t sure about going to Alex – I have been through a few Pilates teachers who lacked the stamina to cope with me. I’m delighted to say that Alex not only has stamina but also patience and diplomacy skills to see even someone like me through an exercise programme. She convinced me that even, if at worse the pain did not subside, the core area we were addressing would be stronger to cope and that overall my posture and fitness would improve – a positive thing in itself. Even after the first week I felt a benefit and of course success breeds success and the better I felt the more inclined I was to believe in and do the exercises. Whilst not out of pain, it has certainly decreased and not only do I feel physically better but I’m also mentally better at dealing with it. Alex is always very encouraging and her positive comments keep one motivated. I think one of the main differences with Alex (compared to the Pilates/exercise people I had before) is that because she does rehabilitation she is used to dealing with people in pain and understanding their needs rather than a regimented fitness programme with a “one size fits all” approach. She cares about the individual and wants to make us better. Anyway I’m absolutely delighted to find that a fitness programme can help with my pain – much to my amazement – and that it just gives me such a lift. Thank you Alex.

LMBPrivate Client 2014

Alex would be delighted to help you become fitter, stronger and recover from injury. Please get in touch to discuss your goals and requirements further.