Lowden Coaching

26/03/2026

As the CrossFit Quarter finals start, I found this letter.

Back in 2016, I was told I had osteoarthritis in both hips. The outlook? Manage the pain, avoid running and any thing that caused pain, and prepare for the possibility of major surgery and being told I would have this before I was 40.

At the time, that felt heavy. Limiting. Final.

Fast forward to today — I’m 44, and things look very different.

Instead of accepting that path, I committed to rehabbing, training smarter, harder and strengthening my legs. Slowly, consistently, I built strength, stability, and the pain reduced.

Now I have no pain, I have the freedom and believe they can do what ever I want them to.

This wasn’t about ignoring medical advice — it’s about what can happen when I decided take action and believed I could fix it, I have stayed consistent, and focus on the boring stuff, rehab, recovery, strength work and mobilising.

The goal is never about what you do in the gym, it’s to create a body that can do anything I want and need it too. The training is simply gets better because of this.

19/02/2026

Here’s the sports journey that lead me to

I have been asked what I did before doing CrossFit and opening SaolFit, so here is a little bit of what I did before.

I played Rugby Union for 18 years 🏉

Representing:
INSTONIANS
University of Central Lancashire
Fylde Rugby Club
Preston Grasshoppers
Blackburn

Only stopping when my first kid was born.

But alongside playing, I’ve always been coaching.

I started volunteering at 16, which led to working professionally as a Community Coach and Coach Educator with England Rugby for 10 years. That journey gave me the opportunity to learn from — and coach alongside — some incredible people.

About 10 years ago, that path introduced me to CrossFit.
What started part-time alongside England Rugby turned into a full career change — becoming a full-time coach and personal trainer.

20+ years of coaching experience has led to where we are now… SaolFit Gym still coaching still loving it 💪

If you’ve got any questions or want to know more, drop me a message 📩

04/10/2025

in house mix pairs comp.

Organised chaos in the very best way. 3 workouts, over 60 people competing, over 80 people at the gym and a full day of fitness.

The day goes in a flash but even in the chaos there were moments I could stand back and take in just what was going on.

It’s means so much to see so many people trying so hard and doing more than they thought they could do but this comp was even more special as I got to compete with and Thomas back doing what he loves after his broken arm.

The word community is thrown about by lots but you cannot fake or buy what this gym and its members have created and on days like this, I am incredibly proud.

💛🖤

18/09/2025

On the 18/9/14 life changed, Thomas was born 10 weeks early, 3lbs 10oz, no bigger than my hand.

For the next 6 weeks life stopped, nothing else matter bar Marie recovering and him surviving.

Everyday spent watching, hoping, praying.

Each day seeing him get stronger, growing bigger, still hoping, still praying, just watching.

He did not stop growing and fighting, they told us he would be 10 weeks in hospital, he was out in 6.

People see him now and say he is strong, tough, determined when he trains and plays sport but he has never known any different. from day one he fought, from day one he has been tough and from day one he had to be determined, but this was just to live.

Why do this on his birthday, when he is turning 11 which blows my mind, he is big, strong and a smart arse but for six weeks I dreamed of seeing him like this, forever proud, forever thankful.

He is and always will be the strongest person I know and is our little miracle.

Happy birthday 🥳

Sometimes the smallest foot prints leave the deepest impression

26/09/2024

Hyrox prep and progress:

I have been working with for 5 months in prep for her hyrox race in 2 weeks and the potential to qualify for worlds again.

Above show her time and heart rate for a full hyrox sim in August and September (5 weeks apart). Same test each time to make them comparable.

Stats: 4 mins quicker / 30 mins less zone 5. So she is faster and the intensity (determined by heart rate not effort) during the workout was less 😃

What we did:

Focused on making her stronger, more comfortable with the hyrox skills meaning her body was able to handle the stresses of the event better, she moved through all the stages quicker with less rest and this resulted in a huge PB.

She also ran less but still managed a 10km PB the week before this.

It all comes down to her being stronger, her body is more capable of handling the stress of the event, therefore it’s less fatiguing and then the results look after themselves.

We discussed her plan, I put it together but then she did the hard work and ticked the boxes doing what needed done. The results are above, but it comes from her hard work and commitment.

Interested in know more or looking for some help drop me a DM we can have a chat.

04/12/2023

Get booked on and beat the January rush 🤩

FREE TASTER CLASS

Looking for a new challenge?
Want to start the new year right?

Get in touch today and come try one of our classes for free.

DM for more info or email: [email protected]

01/12/2023

Free SaolHIIT taster class at SaolFit Gym come see what we do 🤩

Email: [email protected] to book your space.

Beat the January rush and come down for a FREE taster at SaolFIT.

Our SaolHIIT classes are high intensity interval classes, working on strength, power and endurance. We run group classes but everything can be scaled and adapted as needed to make sure everyone gets the most out of their own training.

If you’re looking for a place to train, where you feel safe, see progression and have fun then come give us a try.

Book your space today and be all set to go for the New Year 🤩.

Email: [email protected] or DM to book on today.

29/11/2023

Had a few question about early morning breakfast, every morning, I have been having this - grapes, 2 bannanas, blueberries, creatine and Whey and 300ml of whole milk.
quick easy and gets me through the mornings, as well as a coffee equally as important.

02/11/2023

two comps and in a week with two fantastic partner and

💪

26/10/2023

to before and after the comp with

supplements keeping me going during the day and their new clear whey is 👍.

Great comp, some serious athletes but fuelled the 🔥 to push on. Next up this weekend.

Thanks to for all the support and for making an old man look good when out there competing.

24/10/2023

New Classes starting Monday. Join the Team 🤩