AJS Strength and Wellness

13/10/2026

🚨 Help!! New AJS recruits wanted!!

MUST be able to line up for a group photo 🤣🤣

Come and help me out. This weeks classes:

Bootcamp/Circuits - Tuesday 13th October - 6.15pm - 7pm

Tabata - Thursday 15th October - 6.10pm (sharp start) - 6.55pm.

£6 per class.

Location - Thainstone House Hotel - Ballroom

Please note - you do not have to be a member of Thainstone House health club to come to my classes. I just use their facilities.

Booking info in comments

06/10/2026

The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run - Half Marathon

And post number three from the GSR, Meet the COACH Amanda.
My training for this one definitely didn’t go quite to plan. Some issues with blood results meant being told to stop all training. right when I was supposed to be doing my longest training run. Nae exactly ideal! But sometimes you just have to adapt the plan.

A 5:15am start, a 158-mile drive to Glasgow and I made it to the start line. I settled into my target pace, running between the 1:50 and 1:55 pacers, and everything was going pretty well until around 16km.

My legs? Still strong.
My brain? Decided this was the perfect time to start overthinking absolutely everything.

There were a few stern “COME ON, AMANDA!” conversations with myself over those final kilometres, but I crossed that finish line in 1:58:45.

With half my training missed, I was absolutely chuffed to sneak in under 2 hours. And I know exactly what I need to work on next.
As for the official race photos… absolutely NOT!!
Apparently my running face says “I paid money to do this voluntarily?!” rather than “living my best life.” 🤣

So now my winter maintenance training begins, building my core strength, getting my general fitness back up and putting myself in the best shape I can for London and Stirling next year.

And this is exactly why I never want a training plan to feel like a tie around your neck. Life is real. S**t happens. Training gets missed, plans change and things crop up that you can't control. The important bit is learning how to adapt, rather than thinking the whole plan has gone out the window.

If you have a running goal, want to improve your running, build strength to support it, or just fancy giving running a go, drop me a message and we can chat through your training options.

The coach practises what she preaches, most of the time. 😆

06/10/2026

The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run – Half Marathon

So my second post from the run - Meet Gavin. Gavin started attending my Bootcamp classes this year and since then he’s been building up his strength training alongside being really consistent with his running. That has also meant going out on some training runs with me and for those who know what I'm like his lugs are probably still recovering from me yapping and speaking random sh*te! 😆

He’s also a member of JSK and regularly gets involved in the different running sessions, from intervals and hill reps to steady runs, all helping him build his strength, fitness and running ability.

Gavin has had a few issues with his back recently, which hasn’t made the build-up quite as straightforward as he would have liked, but he kept going, got himself to that start line and completed the GSR Half in an amazing 1:57:36!

And there’s no rest for the wicked. Next up for Gavin is the Turkey Trot, so I will definitely be working on building those leg muscles and getting him ready for those Lossiemouth hills! 🦵

If you have a running goal, want to improve your running, build strength to support your running, or even just want to give running a go, drop me a message and we can have a chat about your training options.

But for just now, I think Gavin deserves a HUGE congratulations on a fantastic half marathon! 👏
1:57:36 - brilliant running, Gavin! 🏃‍♂️

05/10/2026

The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run - Half Marathon

So my first post from the run - Meet Kate. Kate has been attending my bootcamp classes for a fair while now, but she recently enquired about PT, she wanted to do a bit of strength training and also wanted to work on her running.

So after her first session I sent her through a challenge, and that was the GSR Half. I knew she was training for the Beast race and I also knew that she was more than capable of it.

I created a workout plan that would build those muscles required for running, I educated about fuelling for a run! The thing that a lot of runners do not do. I researched products that would be suitable for her. She also got some very good fuelling advice from her brother, who is a total machine, having recently hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2,200miles!).

So fast forward to yesterday where Kate ran the GSR Half in 2.25.45, which is an absolutely amazing time.

Kate put the hard work in, she completed her training runs, she learnt how to fuel properly and she enjoyed the process.

She was also on holiday for a couple of weeks during her training oh and did the Beast race too.

If you have a running goal, you want to progress your running or you even want to give running a go, drop me a message to speak through your training options.

I think for just now though, Kate deserves a huge congratulations. Now lets see what one I can persuade her to enter next! 😆

29/09/2026

Who's all coming to bootcamp tonight?

2 classes to choose from

Class 1 - 5.30pm - 6.15pm
Class 2 - 6.30pm - 7.15pm

These are held on the ground of Thainstone House Hotel. PLEASE NOTE - You don't have to be a member of Thainstone gym to attend.

Booking available via Gymcatch or just drop me a message.

Classes will be held indoors if its raining. 😊

😎

21/09/2026

🚨 LAST CALL FOR BUSINESS SPONSORS! 🚨

I'm dropping my race vest off at the printers tomorrow, so this is your last chance to get your company logo on my vest before the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run Half Marathon on Sunday 4th October! 🏃‍♀️

My main event is the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2027, where I will be running alongside my brother to raise money for Marie Curie. 💛

You may have seen my previous shout out looking for businesses to sponsor me, but here's a wee reminder of how you can get involved!

👕 For a donation of your choice, you can have your company logo printed on my training tops AND race day vest!

The businesses who have already sponsored me will be running around Glasgow with me on 4th October (well, their logos will be! 😂).

So, if you would like to get in early and have your company running around Glasgow with me, TODAY is your last chance to secure your space on my vest!

💛 DON'T WORRY IF YOU MISS TODAY'S DEADLINE!

This is only the last call to get your logo on my vest for the Great Scottish Run in October!

There will still be plenty of opportunities to sponsor me and have your company logo added to my training tops and race day vest for the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2027.

So, if you can't get your logo over to me today, you can still get involved and have your business advertised while I'm out clocking up the miles over the coming months! 🏃‍♀️💛

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

💛 Make a donation of your choice through my JustGiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/amanda-smith-73

💛 Send me a JPEG/PNG of your company logo, or if your business is simply your name, I can get that printed on too!

💛 I will get your logo added to my training tops and race day vest, giving your business a wee bit of advertising while I'm out clocking up the miles! (Turriff Printing Services have very kindly offered to be the sponsor for the printing)

A massive thank you to my business sponsors so far:

💛 L.A. Massage Therapy, Oldmeldrum

💛 Laura & Mary at Beau Chic, Inverurie

💛 AJS Strength & Wellness Ltd, Inverurie

💛 Diane Harris CA – Accountancy and Taxation Services

💛 Turriff Printing Services Ltd

And a special thank you to Shirley Morrison for her generous donation! 💛

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far. Every donation, big or small, is hugely appreciated and will help us raise money for Marie Curie.

Fancy joining us? Get your donation and logo over to me today, and I'll take your company on a wee 13.1-mile tour of Glasgow! 😂🏃‍♀️💛

Please feel free to share and tag any businesses who might like to get involved!

Help Amanda Smith raise money to support Marie Curie

20/09/2026

🚨All you lovely ladies out there, let me ask you a question, how long are you going to keep saying…

“I used to feel fit.”
“I used to run.”
“I used to be strong.”
“I used to go to the gym.”
“I used to eat healthier.”
“I used to make time for myself.”

You don’t need to become the woman you were 10 or 20 years ago, but there is nothing stopping you from starting where you are and discovering what you are capable of doing now.

5 more spaces are now open on my 12 week Rebuild & Rediscover online coaching programme.

Let me introduce you to the progress of two women currently working through my 12 week Rebuild & Rediscover programme, each with a completely different starting point and different goals.

One wanted to build consistency, improve her relationship with food and build her confidence as a runner. In four weeks, she has followed a structured plan, run her fastest 5K, completed the 10K Beast Race and has now started training for a half marathon. 🏃‍♀️

The other wanted to feel healthier, build strength, return to healthier eating and run 10K continuously without stopping. With a personalised and progressive plan, she achieved that running goal in just four weeks. She also reached her original weight goal and reduced her waist measurement by 8 cm. 💪

But this is about far more than weight or measurements.

They are becoming more consistent, learning how to fuel their training, building confidence and discovering what their bodies can do.

I create their personalised plans, make adjustments as they progress and provide the education, support and accountability, with the occasional wee kick up the backside when required! 😆

They put in the work and deserve the credit for every result.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but by God, these two have given their first four weeks everything they’ve got and I'm incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far.

Have you been seeing my posts and thinking this sounds like exactly what you need, but still sitting on the fence about getting in touch?

Or perhaps you have spoken to me before, but the timing just wasn’t right.

You haven’t missed your chance. You are always welcome to come back and have another conversation.

If you are ready to stop saying “I used to…” and start saying “I’m doing it again,” message me the word REBUILD and let's have a chat and see how I can help you. 😎

Individual results will vary. Every Rebuild & Rediscover plan is personalised to the individual, their starting point and their goals.

20/09/2026

🌊 HOLIDAY MODE OFF… BACK TO WORK MODE ON! 💪

After a lovely two weeks off, it's time to swap the beach for the gym again! ☀️

The gym has had a good clean, the equipment is ready, and I'm looking forward to welcoming everyone back for PT sessions from tomorrow!

I have enjoyed the break, but I am definitely ready to get back into the swing of things and see you all again.

A wee update on this week's classes:

❌ Monday – Core Conditioning - NO Core class this week.

💪 Tuesday – Bootcamp

⏰ Class 1 - 5:30pm – 6:15pm
⏰ Class 2 - 6:30pm – 7:15pm

📍 Thainstone House Hotel, Inverurie

🔥 Thursday – Tabata

⏰ 6:15pm – 7:00pm

📍 Thainstone House Hotel, Inverurie

All classes are available to book through GymCatch, so get yourselves booked in and let's get moving!

Whether you have been keeping up with your training while I have been away or you have had a wee break yourself, I'm looking forward to seeing you all back at it this week.

16/09/2026

💪 NATIONAL FITNESS DAY 2026 💪

Last week, while I was on holiday, a few of my Bootcamp regulars chose to get together for their own workout, because apparently even my holidays don’t get them out of exercising! 😂

My online Rebuild & Rediscover clients were also following their individual plans, completing their weekly check-ins and still getting their weekly feedback whilst I was away.

That’s what I love about : people building the confidence and habits to keep moving, while still enjoying plenty of laughs, and the occasional post workout sausage roll! 😂

As for last night’s group photo, well the session was considerably better organised. 🤦‍♀️

Whether you are looking for Online Coaching, 1:1 Personal Training or Fitness Classes, message me TEAM and we will find the right option for you. ❤️😎

01/04/2026

💜 THAT’S A WRAP FOR OUR INDOOR WINTER SEASON 💜

And just like that… the indoor season comes to an end.
A huge thank you to every single one of you who has come along to classes over the winter months. You have all worked incredibly hard and I am honestly so proud of the progress you’ve made — strength, fitness, confidence… it’s been brilliant to see 💪

There’s also been some amount of chatting and plenty of laughs along the way, which is exactly how it should be.

Numbers were a bit quieter tonight, but that’s Easter holidays for you, the effort from those who came along definitely made up for it!

A big thank you as well to St Andrews Church and St Mary’s Church Centre for the hall use over the season, it’s been very much appreciated.

Now… we head back to where bootcamp belongs.
If you fancy joining us this week:
📍 Kellands Park, Inverurie
🕕 Thursday – 6:15pm
🕣 Sunday – 8:30am

Fresh air, more space, and a new season ahead. I’m looking forward to getting you all back outside 😎