Karen Fotheringham PT

Home
United Kingdom
Forfar, Scotland
Karen Fotheringham PT

Simple approach to strength and wellbeing
Beginner friendly personal training
Private gym space Forfar

28/10/2026

5 years ago I probably wouldn’t have been able to identify a barbell from a dumbbell 🤷‍♀️

It’s easy to think that when you step into the gym that everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing and you’ll stick out like a sore thumb - but I can assure you that’s not the case…

Everyone is at their own stage, and even the ones who’ve been training for years there’s still always something to learn…

There’s no one right way of training (there is often only one way of getting things done safely though!)

You don’t have to be doing the fancy exercises you often see on social media promising the results (they’re usually nonsense anyway)

You don’t have to be sweaty or sore to be working effectively

You don’t have to be using all the kit, keep it simple, stick to equipment you feel comfortable using to start and build a strong routine over time

Learning the basics, keeping it simple and consistent, giving your body time to adapt and your confidence time to grow is key…

If getting started is stopping you from getting started that’s where I can help, one to one time in a private space, helping you get to grips with how strength training works, and mastering the movements 😊

25/10/2026

It’s really hard to know what might help whist navigating perimenopause, at 44 and recently having had a hysterectomy there’s no denying some of the classic symptoms….

There’s a lot of info out there, and a lot to think about, and what’s right for one person might not be right for another… and I don’t know about you but if I see another ad on my feed for gummies, a belly busting workout or crazy diet I’m gonna scream (or cry, depending on what my hormones fancy doing that day)

There’s a lot to think about, with evidence ranging from pretty encouraging to just complete bu****it 🤷‍♀️

It’s big business!

But one thing I’m 💯 certain of is that carrying on focusing on the foundations of what we need at any time in life is still key…

Sleep - finding routines to make the most of it even when there’s disruption
Nutrition - proper nourishment, not some fad
Strength training - your absolute best weapon against menopausal muscle and bone loss
Cardio - not to burn calories, but to support heart health
Stress management - a tough one, I know

Nothing fancy, just doing these the best I can ❤️

What else would you add?

16/10/2026

Mum + 1 in the gym space this morning….

I’ll always encourage my clients to still come in when they’re struggling for child care, one of the benefits of having your own space to train!

Sure, it can take a little longer, we might not get quite as much done and have to adapt the session to keep it safer but that’s real life…

Little boy who came in with mum this morning had a blast, and was lovely to see him getting excited watching mum work hard 💪🏻❤️

08/10/2026

One thing I think gets misinterpreted far too often is the old mantra ‘the only bad workout is the one that didn’t happen’

Now I get it, good intentions, trying to push yourself when motivation isn’t there, and totally applicable when that’s the only thing stopping you…

But there are plenty of times when pushing yourself to get it done isn’t the right move, when you’re injured, unwell, mentally fragile in a way that it serves no benefit to add that, there are times when genuinely getting that workout done isn’t in your interest…

The caveat I guess is that what’s required is a real honesty with yourself, are you in a position where it’s not the best move or are you bending things as part of a self serving bias simply because you can’t be assed

So it’s a bit more complicated than ‘no excuses’

Right now I’m still in the deeper recovery phase of my surgery, and yes I have started slowly and carefully back in the gym and other activities - but this week for me the kids are off school, my body isn’t functioning at its full capacity yet so I chose to spend the energy and movement on activities with the kids….

I get what it’s like to live a life, and especially when your body isn’t fully cooperating the way you’d like it to, so as a coach I’ll always consider the full picture (but also call you out when you just can’t be assed 😆)

01/10/2026

This is something I am so excited to offer, I have very limited availability but a few spaces (mostly around midday) for home based sessions locally.

If you’re keen to start strength training but feel really overwhelmed at the idea of stepping foot in a gym just yet this could be perfect for you.

Working on learning the fundamental movements, principles of training, how to adapt things safely and make progress, along side other factors which would support strength and well-being this would be a solid start in building confidence and a routine that works for you…

If you’re interested DM for more info

12/09/2026

6 weeks post hysterectomy and managed 20 mins on the bike feeling like a big win 🥳

It’s really hard to know how much to push things and everyone’s recovery is a little different…

Earlier in the week I tried a little session in the gym and it felt awful, my core really felt it even though I was sticking to really light weights and safer movements but it still felt off! So I stopped before I’d finished all I’d planned to do 😕

So it really is at this stage a lot of careful trial of things and listening to the feedback my body is giving me..

But today the bike felt good, I picked a flat, easy route and took it slowly 😊

It would’ve been easy to get carried away and do a lot further but it’s about building it up gently, frustrating and easy to forget on days when I am feeling pretty good.

Can a 20 min cycle feel like a spiritual experience? 😆😆 I feel like it can, feeling a little more trust in my body’s movement again after it feeling so foreign to me recently, the fresh air, muddy paths, autumn feels, honestly felt great to get back out ❤️

06/09/2026

Slower finish to the week, feeling as though I overdid it with Glasgow for a concert Friday, still having to pace myself so cat cuddles and a good book today, had a little visitor in the garage gym this week too 🦇

Address

Forfar

Website

http://karenfotheringhampt.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Karen Fotheringham PT posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.