Athletic Devilry

5 stars all the way for training and advice and an extra star for personality and character. Training with Alex is super fun. He knows his stuff! Listens to what you want to get out of the training and builds it all around your needs. I came in with a 2 year long history of knee pain. 9 month later my knee pain is gone. I just crossed the Alps on that knee! Brilliant More...

Short version… 


Alex is an absolute legend. I recommend his PT sessions without hesitation.


Longer version… 



An excellent osteopath I see recommended that I start training with Alex and I am so pleased that I did. 
 


When I first came to see Alex, I was really unbalanced. I have several injuries that were affecting not only my day to day mobility, but also my ability to exercise; weight bearing training was a no go. My body was habitually compensating for my injuries. I was also in a rut where I would injure myself, after basically any exercise and was therefore nervous of trying new movements and exercises for fear of further injury. Previous training had resulted in me injuring myself repeatedly and then being out of action for weeks at a time, dealing with severe headaches, numbness, backache, neck spasms, (the lot!) and spending a fortune on emergency physio sessions just to get by. 
 


Cue Alex. Alex is fastidious about movement and his knowledge about the intricacies of the human body is amazing. He also has a genuine interest in the field and continues to bring new exercises and training skills to his practise and our sessions. 
 


The sessions start with a comprehensive warm up that ensures you’re in the best place to begin training and leaves you feeling ready to go. He incorporates different ‘corrective’ exercises to help with any problem areas that you’re aware of on the day and also includes exercises designed to ‘increase range’ in areas focussing on at that time. After that, the body of the session then centres on completing rounds of (ever changing, ever developing) exercises. Each time he diligently records the exercises and reps that you’ve done. When you next return to the exercise again, it develops; perhaps it’s a more challenging iteration of the exercise, you’re using heavier weights, or completing more repetitions. Throughout the planned sessions, you are working on developing greater strength, mobility, control and flexibility which keeps you working hard and keeps you entertained! 
 


The specificity of Alex’s tailored sessions has allowed me to continue training through the early irritations and flare ups and reach a point now where my injuries are being managed. We’ve started to build on my weaker areas and balance out my body so that it can now tackle heavily weighted movements and more complex exercises. I can train and feel the reward of feeling stronger without worrying about hurting myself all the time and have gained a lot of confidence in terms of my movement capabilities. 
 


With just the right mix of encouraging and accommodating, Alex listens to you and pays close attention to your body; helping with even the smallest adjustments to get you working at your best, pain free. I’m not a fan of fitness trainers who make you push through and then you find yourself injured. With Alex, he’s a firm hand, not letting you shirk but keeping you training safely and encouraging you all the way.

 All the hard work helps in ‘real life’ scenarios, where being strong and adaptable is the aim of the game. I am just under six months in now and I can clearly see the changes in my body but more importantly feel improvements too. My posture is continually improving and also my overall strength, which is really noticeable when doing simple things like carrying my bike or heavy bags and has improved my skills in other exercise settings, like yoga. 
 
As I’m a freelancer who can’t necessarily train at the same time every week, Alex has been really adaptable and accommodating. The 1hr - 1hr 15 sessions fly by. The time is dependent on how quickly you go through the exercises. When you’re learning a new set of drills, for example, it may take you slightly longer, but he never rushes you. He’s also the sort of PT and person that is kind, fun and can demo all the exercises that he wants you to do and make it look really easy… definitely something to aspire to! 



I really look forward to our sessions, thanks Alex :) More...

Short version…

Alex is an absolute legend. I recommend his PT sessions without hesitation.
 
Longer version…

An excellent physiotherapist that I see recommend I start training with Alex and I am so pleased that I did.
 
When I first came to see Alex, I was really unbalanced. I have several injuries that were effecting not only my day to day mobility, but also my ability to exercise; weight baring training was a no go. My body was habitually compensating for my injuries. I was also in a rut where I would injure myself, after basically any exercise and was therefore nervous of trying new movements and exercises for fear of further injury. Previous training had resulted in me injuring myself repeatedly and then being out of action for weeks at a time, dealing with severe headaches, numbness, backache, neck spasms, (the lot!) and spending a fortune on emergency physio sessions just to get by.
 
Cue Alex. Alex is fastidious about movement and his knowledge about the intricacies of the human body is amazing. He also has a genuine interest in the field and continues to bring new exercises and training skills to his practise and our sessions.
 
The sessions start with a comprehensive warm up that ensures you’re in the best place to begin training and leaves you feeling ready to go. He incorporates different ‘corrective’ exercises to help with any problem areas that you’re aware of on the day and also includes exercises designed to ‘increase range’ in areas focussing on at that time. After that, the body of the session then centres on completing rounds of (ever changing, ever developing) exercises in a four week carousel. Each time he diligently records the exercises and reps that you’ve done. When you next return to the exercise again, it develops; perhaps it’s a more challenging iteration of the exercise, you’re using heavier weights, or completing more repetitions. Throughout the planned sessions, you are working on developing greater strength, mobility, control and flexibility which keeps you working hard and keeps you entertained!
 
The specificity of Alex’s tailored sessions has allowed me to continue training through the early irritations and flare ups and reach a point now where my injuries are being managed. We’ve started to build on my weaker areas and balance out my body so that it can now tackle heavily weighted movements and more complex exercises. I can train and feel the reward of feeling stronger without worrying about hurting myself all the time and have gained a lot of confidence in terms of my movement capabilities.
 
With just the right mix of encouraging and accommodating, Alex listens to you and pays close attention to your body; helping with even the smallest adjustments to get you working at your best, pain free. I’m not a fan of fitness trainers who make you push through and then you find yourself injured. With Alex, he’s a firm hand, not letting you shirk but keeping you training safely and encouraging you all the way.  
 
All the hard work helps in ‘real life’ scenarios, where being strong and adaptable is the aim of the game. I am just under six months in now and I can clearly see the changes in my body but more importantly feel improvements too. My posture is continually improving and also my overall strength, which is really noticeable when doing simple things like carrying my bike or heavy bags and has improved my skills in other exercise settings, like yoga.
 
As I’m a freelancer who can’t necessarily train at the same time every week, Alex has been really adaptable and accommodating. The 1hr - 1hr 15 sessions fly by. The time is dependent on how quickly you go through the exercises. When you’re learning a new set of drills, for example, it may take you slightly longer, but he never rushes you. He’s also the sort of PT and person that is kind, fun and can demo all the exercises that he wants you to do and make it look really easy… definitely something to aspire to!

I really look forward to our sessions, thanks Alex :) More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Sensational, thank you 🤩

I started training with Alex 1 year ago after requiring treatment post acl surgery. Also I was practicing parkour for several years and was carrying a baggage of numerous minor injuries which sadly I was accepting as is.

The experience I received was phenomenal. Alex displayed an immense knowledge of every possible injury (including of course the acl) and demonstrated hands-on experience on how to carefully handle all of them!

He tailors a training session which is extremely specific to each individual. I have noticed that every trainee follows a completely different and targeted program.
He adapts very intelligently in all dimensions: e.g. as you build strength his routines update in a completely different direction; if you have a sore day or a minor injury he adapts the exercises on the fly.

Also I have noticed how he often takes homes, rethinks and amends certain drills according to feedback, which displays incredible adaptability, true devotion and love in his practice!

In the end, I managed to cure every injury I had and my acl belongs to the past. I feel stronger and healthier then ever, and keep going! More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Thank you sir! 🤩

Alex's attention to detail and knowledge of the human body is unparalleled and his passion for movement makes him a trainer of the highest caliber.
He approaches coaching with intelligence and empathy, and is able to hone in the on particular imbalances and physical needs of each person.
I came to Alex with an injured knee following an ACL tear and he was able to identify the muscles that I had neglected in my previous training and has been helping me get stronger and more confident with my knee.
Because of his background in movement, Alex's focus is on improving strength for longevity and skill in a holistic way. I can't recommend him enough if you want the absolute best. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

I am delighted that you think so. Thank you for sharing 🎊

I've been training with Alex for over a year now. Here's my summary of the experience so far:

He's an attentive and shrewd coach with a wealth of knowledge which he expertly curates, applies and simplifies to make the training an optimal ratio of engaging, challenging and accessible.
He is transparent and succinct and his ability to field all manner of query and adapt to the changing personal circumstances of clients are some of the key reasons as to why I've happily placed my trust in him - also the sense of humour.

Alex' approach to training clients and the methodology he has created means that we have had no issue adapting the sessions as needed whenever I've injured myself in my other sports (or by sneezing too hard or sleeping wrong - I'm over 30). Which means that the only times I'm not training are when I'm abroad or have the flu - so this last year is the most consistently I've ever worked out.

Since I started training a year ago, I've observed that injuries, niggles and limitations that I couldn't shake for years have been chipped away at and done away with.
All the while my strength, stamina and overall physical ability on all fronts have surpassed the expectations and goals I had when we started.
To wrap this up, I'll share four things from training with Alex that I am especially grateful for:

1. I have the ability to be athletically proficient in so many new areas of life. I can pick up most things I want. I can jump over most things I want. I can carry people and things. I can climb onto most things. I can join in on most sports and have fun and give opponents a challenge even where I'm a clueless beginner. I can just have fun and be athletically capable pretty much whenever doing pretty much whatever.
2. The physique that comes with this training looks pretty great.
3. Thanks to the muscle I've developed and the nature of the training, when I injure myself in whatever area of life in whatever activity, my recovery rate has increased by about 60% +. Injuries are no longer debilitating - they are short-lived, mild inconveniences.
4. This one ties in to points 1 and 3. Because I'd developed some weaknesses in my lower back over the years, I used to have a fear of getting injured. Because I can now do so much and because, if I do get hurt, I recover so quickly, I am no longer afraid of sprains and strains, and that has given me a sense of freedom and renewed joy in life that is psychologically liberating and feels simply amazing.

JMB More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

That consistency though 👌

Alex is an excellent personal trainer. He is attentive, skilful, and caring. Alex has his own philosophy of training that prioritises both long-term health and short-term performance improvement. You can always tell from Alex's notebook that you are on the progressive track. He also spotted trivial "weak points" that I have and adjusted the training accordingly. Alex always gives me practical advice to navigate me through the programme with minimal intervention to my study, work, and social life. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Thank you 😊

I used to hate exercising. I have joined all the gyms, tried ALL the classes, so many subscriptions, downloaded all the programmes and have tried a fair few PTs 😬 and then I came across Alex’s profile on Bark. I was really impressed by the great reviews and what others had said about his careful approach to rehabilitation and exercising. I have scoliosis and was eager to address the imbalance in the muscles that support my spine and work on any vulnerable or weak areas, so after reading the reviews I thought I’d give Alex a go.

Delighted!!!! He is super precise and technical and formulates a personalised plan making micro adjustments to my posture as I’m excercising so I know I’m doing everything correctly. His workouts are diverse and interesting and where I would usually get bored and zone out, I find our sessions really good fun with the right level of challenge. I love the way he explains everything so eloquently with such brilliant delivery. Three and a half months in and I am feeling strong, aligned and motivated! I’ve lost 8lbs too which I’m delighted about! Just in time for the summer 💃🏻

Thank you Alex for your enthusiasm and encouragement. I have never felt intimidated, nor felt my silly questions unwelcome. You are a total legend and a very kind human being. I really like the gym we train in, no one’s judging, everyone’s kind, there’s a good happy vibe with friendly faces. I look forward to our sessions.

I would totally recommend Alex to anyone looking for a PT, whatever fitness goals you have- you’ll be pleased with your choice I’m sure! 💪🤩💪🤩💪🤩 More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Absolutely blown away by this, thank you so much! Your effort in the sessions is wonderfully consistent and I am super grateful for that 🤩

Alex is a wonderful trainer - super experienced and knowledgable. He's incredibly supportive and brings bundles of enthusiasm with him, making each session feel fun and fresh. He doesn't just give you exercises, he explains why and how and finds a really personal way of delivering his programme. I'm only 3 months into our training but I can already see and feel results and our sessions are quickly becoming my favourite part of the week! More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Your quiet determination in the gym continues to impress me Karina. Your zen realisations mid-way through the most grueling workouts are both insightful and hilarious 😂

I found Alex on Bark while looking for a PT and he turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I started having hip impingement in the beginning of last year and was struggling to regain my strength since then. Alex is very knowledgeable and has helped me overcome my hip limitations and built back my strength. Since I started working out with him I have had a significant improvement in my hip pain and overall strength. He is also very enthusiastic about my progress and always pushes me to my limits in a good and careful way. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Hell yeah 💪

Definitely the best PT I ever trained with.
I had back and neck pain for years and a knee injury for months, everything vanished within less than two months training with Alex, he has a very unique approach that makes the training much easier and exciting.

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Thank you so much! Your passion for learning makes you super easy to teach. I'm delighted to hear that you are having as much fun in our sessions as I am 🤩

Alex is probably one of my favourite people on this planet. And he's an excellent trainer to boot.
It's rare for individuals in the fitness industry to both be fun and technically proficient.
He knows stuff, he knows how to convey said stuff in an easy-to-digest way and he can help you achieve your goals, no matter how stratospheric.
He's ever-ready to answer questions and his answers are astounding in their clarity and depth.
Here's a man and trainer who's lived his own advice and learned through experience.
If you see the name Athletic Devilry or Alex Pownall associated with anything - go for it, unhesitatingly. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Before thanking you for this immense review, I'd like to state for the record that I did not bribe Viren to write it. With that out of the way, thank you dearly for such glowing compliments, it means a hell of a lot coming from you🤘

I highly recommend Alex to anyone looking for a personalised program and strong results.
I decided to give PT a try after my own training had plateaued, and I was unsure how far to push my body after a few lingering injuries.
Alex really took the time to understand my situation and goals. He is helping me to overcome my weaknesses and improve my mobility, things I would have never achieved on my own. Alex has also developed a program that I can follow independently, in between sessions.
Alex is extremely dedicated and knowledgeable and genuinely gets excited about providing his expertise and seeing your progress. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Conversations during training so often revolve around the training itself or sharing stories, but obviously the meta of it all is of paramount importance. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this Jacinta 🙏 I'm delighted that you feel so carefully catered for and I will do everything I can to ensure that that never changes.

It’s been great working with Alex! Before starting with him, I knew little about the mechanics of my body and what training regime would be needed to develop greater stamina and become more athletic.

Through a meticulously designed plan which works out all facets of my body, I have noticed a quick increase in my strength, flexibility and overall endurance levels. Alex has an excellent presence and I look forward to developing further with his help and knowledge! More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Even I'm amazed with how well you've done mate, though I'm certainly not surprised! You made it clear from day one that you were ready to put the work in, rain or shine and I can't wait to see what you're capable of 🤩

I have worked with Alex on and off for the past 3 years in Parkour and now in personal training.
His attention to detail is brilliant when it comes to correcting technique.
His knowledge is various sporting fields allows him to train his clients to the highest possible standard to reach their respective goals.
I would highly recommend using Alex to reach ones goals. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

You're no stranger to hard work (our last session was a perfect example) and I'm geniunely grateful that even after all this time, you're still willing to be coached even further. Rock on🤘

Athletic Devilry concocts a simple recipe to give you the biggest returns on your time investment.
Alex has a vast wealth of knowledge at his disposal, but it's his shrewd application of it that is especially impressive.
I have a collection of injuries and pains from past sports and years of desk-working. With Alex, I'm getting stronger, feeling & looking better, and moving pain-free - Wish I'd sold my soul to this devil sooner.
Great vibes, immaculate humour, encouraging atmosphere, a meticulous and attentive PT - highly recommend.
JMB More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Thank you kindly, good sir. I've tried to share as much of my knowledge as possible since you're always so keen to learn (it's sickening really) but eventually your body will be as tough and adaptable as your mind and I can't wait to see how THAT turns out...

Alex's programming has completely revolutionised the way that I train. 5 stars isn't nearly enough!

The idea of training at a gym was always mind-numbing, but with the blend of outdoor/indoor training and exercises that compliment my sporting disciplines, I get excited about my performance and improvement every time I train.

I've certainly been guilty of having an over-inflated perception of how robust my body is and of what it is capable, but it's only now that my body is starting to prove that it can do everything I want it to. I used to get injured so frequently and I'm so grateful that now I can walk the streets, train BJJ, MMA and even Parkour with a sense of confidence in my body.

I've always had this fear that if I trained too much or got too strong I'd look less feminine. I'm blessed with a fairly broad set of shoulders and narrow hips so this was always something lingering at the back of my mind. Turns out it is ridiculously hard to build muscle mass as a woman and the efforts I have put in have not only made me feel better but also (in my opinion) look better. I'm curvier, more "toned", healthier skin, bigger, stronger glutes, slimmer thighs and a back that I'm looking forward to showing off in vests.

I'm feeling more supportive of other women and encouraging them to pursue strength feels a heck of a lot healthier than chasing looks for the sake of it.

I'm really proud of the work I've done with Alex and how far I've come both physically and mentally. I've learned that my old style of training was costing me time and many injuries, but now my training is more efficient than ever and gives me back more of my day to focus on other interests.

If you give even the slightest damn about getting better, this is the person to do it with. More...

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Reply from Athletic Devilry

Thank you Freya! Your work ethic is a real credit to you and it's been a real pleasure to watch you go from low-key gym hater to barbell whiz 💪

Athletic Devilry concocts a simple recipe to give you the biggest returns on your time investment.
Alex has a vast wealth of knowledge at his disposal, but it's his shrewd application of it that is especially impressive.
I have a collection of injuries and pains from past sports and years of desk-working. With Alex, I'm getting stronger, feeling & looking better, and moving pain-free - Wish I'd sold my soul to this devil sooner.
Great vibes, immaculate humour, encouraging atmosphere, a meticulous and attentive PT - highly recommend.
JMB More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Having worked with Alex in the past, I can guarantee he will get you results way beyond what most can offer. If you're serious about levelling up in athleticism or aesthetics, Alex is the man. 😈

Reviewed on Facebook

Quite honestly the most knowledgeable PT I've ever met.

Reviewed on Facebook