Training plans
“After struggling over the past few years with injuries, I wanted to focus on enjoying running and exercise again. I found Jill through some fellow running friends who recommended her for a variety of programmes. I got in contact after signing up for a marathon in spring and she set me out a great 16 week training plan consisting of a variety of different focused blocks, strength training, and stretching exercises. She also regularly checked in with me and adapted my plan to work alongside my schedule. Through Jill, I managed to get PBs in both a half marathon and full marathon this year. Most importantly I’ve come back to enjoying running again, and I thank Jill for all her advice and help. Jill has a huge background of experience and advice and I’d recommend her to anyone needing some help with their fitness. Thanks Jill!“
Amanda Gibson, Glasgow
May 2024
Online S&C class
“I’ve always struggled to keep up any S&C but Jill’s class have made it easy to keep the routine, the classes are fun and challenging and her exercise repertoire is brilliant. I’ve been doing the online classes for over a year, mainly for running but was surprised at how much stronger I felt for climbing and biking too. I couldn’t recommend the classes more. Thanks Jill!”
CJ MacPhail, Glasgow
April 2024
Aboyne S&C class
"Jill’s classes in Aboyne have created a great weekly routine for me to include S&C in my training. Previously S&C isn’t something I had spent time on, and already after having attended classes with Jill for the past 2 months I feel benefits. I really like how the class covers all areas of the body with a section of time spent on each per class. Jill is excellent at explaining each exercise, and there are always options to make the movements easier or more challenging depending on what you have been up to that week/have planned for the weekend. Excited to keep up the classes and enjoy the benefits for my hill running and racing. Thanks Jill!
CJ Irvine, Finzean
March 2024
Online and in-person S&C class
"Quite often the S&C sessions will be the first to be dropped in my training schedule if I have a busy week, but Jill's online classes make it easy to ensure I keep it as a staple in my routine! The variation in class to class, and the weekly progression in each exercise make it really interesting and challenging along the way. Jill always takes the time to explain clearly the exercises, why we do them, and what benefits we get from them. It's been a great addition to my training and every week I look forward to taking part in the class!”
Andy Douglas, Edinburgh
October 2023
Training plan
“After a slow start to 2023 due to some injuries, I wasn’t sure how the rest of the year would pan out. I started following a training plan by Jill in spring 2023 and it helped guide me to gradually build back up to where I was, and eventually even knock minutes of previous PB’s. Most importantly, I’ve been enjoying running much more again! I highly recommend speaking with Jill about getting a plan or some coaching, her advice and experience has been invaluable.”
Kerr Mackinnon, Dunkeld
December 2023
Online S&C class
"I discovered Jill’s classes when I started training for the 100K road championships (Anglo Celtic Plate) earlier this year. I believe without a doubt that attending the classes increased my strength and helped me to avoid injury both pre & during the race (which was quite tough on my body). Knowing that Jill is such a strong runner herself made the classes really attractive, and you just know you’re looking after your body by attending these.”
Catherine Cowie, Edinburgh
October 2023
Online S&C class
“I began Jill’s weekly morning online strength & conditioning class in winter, and continued until the summer break. The classes combine strength, mobility, balance & core exercises. Including lots of one leg and balance work - all the essential exercises for running and drills which physios tend to prescribe. The programme progress throughout the block & it’s impressive to see how conditioning improves each week. The classes are tough, fun, and extremely time efficient. The online classes are available on catch up for when I’ve been away. I really think the regular sessions have made me more robust, stronger and helped avoid injuries/ niggles. I’m pretty sure I’d not do any of the S&C by myself...Looking forward to the next autumn block!! "
Tom Owens, Fort William
September 2023
Training plans
'I’m now in my mid 60s and started running more regularly 10 years ago. At the beginning of 2022 I was persuaded to enter a 100km run. This was going to be such an undertaking, I knew I needed a wise advisor, and Jill Stephen of Ascent Fitness was recommended. That run was cancelled, but I completed The Cairngorm Ultra instead and this year have run the Devil O’ The Highlands and other shorter races.
Jill’s personalised training plans and advice have transformed my running. Her plans are realistic and flexible. I print them off, and it is so satisfying to be able to tick off a session. I now do fewer kms a week, go out less often, long runs are at a slower pace, weekly hill rep sessions are suffered, but (usually) done, and the regular S&C classes and exercises on my plans have all contributed to make me fitter, stronger and more confident too.
Jill contributes positivity, encouragement with a good dollop of realism, and a sound knowledge of what a balanced training programme should contain. If I’m not sure about a training session, I ask myself ‘What would Jill say?’ and I listen. She is also very conscientious in checking up on how things are going. She is also a lovely, fun person! Jill got me thinking about joining a club and doing other hill races. I've now joined Carnethy, have competed in a few hill races, and I’m doing OK!
She’s taught me to recognise my limits, but also shown me how to realise my running potential and I’m definitely a better runner, and really enjoying the challenge and the feeling of satisfaction I get from a good run.”
Anne Craig, Edinburgh
August 2023
Training plans
'Working with Jill gave me not only the fitness I needed to get round the Snowdon Skyrace, but also the confidence and self-belief to actually enjoy it! Her plan was easy to follow, tailored to what I was doing and easy to fit round everything else going on in life.'
Charlotte Newman, Edinburgh
June 2023
Strength and conditioning classes
"I started going to Jill's classes around 18 months ago, primarily to integrate some much needed S&C into my routine to help stave off injuries, and also improve my running performance. They have achieved that and much more! The classes are really varied which keeps things fresh and my motivation high, and going to the classes relatively consistently has given me so much insight into my strength and weaknesses strength wise. The classes are designed to be progressive, and are easily tailored to your own needs, and Jill always makes sure you are able to get the most out of each class if the exercises are either too hard or easy."
James Dunn, Edinburgh
November 2022
Personal Training
I’ve been working with Jill for over a year now with the aim of improving my strength and conditioning, primarily for running, but also for general life as I get a tad older…. The sessions have been great, with Jill adapting the sessions to my goals and proving a voice of reason when I have the usual runner concerns! I’m feeling much stronger, and I’ve no doubt this has helped me stay injury free, and PB at both the 5k and the marathon, despite my advancing years! I would thoroughly recommend Jill’s sessions for anyone who wants to improve their strength and conditioning for whatever goal they have (and to get some good chat….).
Stuart Johnston, Edinburgh
October 2022
Personal Training
Jill has been brilliant to work with. She is motivating, thorough and invested in my performance and outcome. Every session with her is different and planned with precision, allowing me to focus on different aspects of my end goal. Not only did I manage to succeed in my initial target of completing the Ring of Steall, but I ended up placing 33rd woman overall and 223rd out of 749 entries. I couldn’t have done it without the rigour put in place with Jill’s training plan and PT sessions. Thank you Jill - I will be back!
Mairi Drummond and John Martin, Edinburgh
September 2022
Personal Training
Working with Jill over the last 6 months has been transformative. She has guided me from post injury recovery to completing my first 10K in over 10 years. Her sessions are a mix of well structured strength work and hill reps, which I would never achieve if I trained solo. I've noticed a significant improvement in my running technique and no further injuries since I started working with Jill.
Her sessions are such an important part of my week and I have regained my running confidence, and know that I can build up to longer and more challenging runs with Jill's ongoing coaching.
Yez Ayalew, Edinburgh
August 2022
Personal Training
I decided to find a personal trainer as I needed to address my lack of fitness, which had declined over the last few years. I was quite apprehensive about the whole process, but on meeting Jill my concerns proved to be totally unfounded.
Jill is a fabulous personal trainer. She has given me the confidence to try and achieve my fitness goals, which are mainly body strengthening, and also to introduce some jogging.
Jill is so cheerful and upbeat and always makes our sessions varied and lots of fun.She puts a lot of thought and planning into each session and they are clearly tailored to my needs and abilities. Her attention to detail and ensuring ‘correct form’ for each exercise is spot on.
Jill is so encouraging, patient and reassuring and is very aware to how I am feeling and coping with the session.
I would definitely recommend Jill as a personal trainer.
Shona Bond, 61, Edinburgh
March 2022
Personal Training
Jill's confidence in me has made a massive difference this year and I have achieved my highest position in the senior 2021 SHR championships (19th) and 4th in the highly competitive MV50 class.
She used her experience in downhill and her sessions in this area have given me a lot of confidence and stronger downhill. Her pacing sessions made me feel like an advanced runner and her coaching has given me new race tactics that mean I have been taking control of the races.
With Jill's enthusiasm she can get the best out of me in her classes (including strength, conditioning, and balance). I feel a stronger athlete and able to keep to my very consistent training plan.
I am looking forward to continuing to advance as a runner in the XC season and with Jill's help I will target the XC Masters early 2022!
Neil McLure, Dalgety Bay
October 2021
Personal Training
Consistent weekly training with Jill over the last year has helped me become fitter and faster. She keeps me and my running buddy focused and on task - but her lively and positive character means that we also have loads of fun. She has exactly the right supportive approach for me as an FV60 who is new to competing; inspiring me to have a new belief in my ability to improve my strength and fitness, enter events and chase PBs that would otherwise have seemed out of my reach.
Shelia MacAlister, Edinburgh
September 2021
I am not a natural runner, I only started running in my late 50s with ‘couch to 5k’
Having signed up for the Tiree 10k, my friend sheila and I started weekly training sessions with Jill. She kept us motivated with fun, focused workouts on the Meadows. There’s no way I would choose to sprint or run up hills, but with Jill’s encouragement we have done both and enjoyed the challenge. Tiree is ticked off now but we plan to keep training with Jill to be ready for our next venture.
Rhona Grieve, Edinburgh
September 2021
Personal Training
Just under a year ago, Jill and I sat down together to talk about my hill running goals and begin making a plan for how to achieve them. I knew I wanted to do the Glencoe Skyline, and Jill encouraged me to try for a Tranter as well. I thought the Tranter was way beyond my ability, but we started with a simple training plan that felt achievable. Jill encouraged and challenged me, pushing me through the lows of winter and tiredness and launching me toward an amazing summer. In June I finished the Tranter in 16:43 and on Sunday I placed 3rd in the Glencoe Skyline with a time of 11:06:49. Thanks Jill!!
Cat Magill, Edinburgh.
September 2021
Group Sessions
I’m a runner who has been attending Jill’s classes for leg, core-strength and mobility for a few weeks now. I formerly carried out my own weight’s sessions in the gym, but since starting Jill’s classes I certainly feel more robust, and that her sessions are more relevant to my running goals. She certainly knows her stuff, and can adjust any exercise to dial down, or ramp up the pain, whatever it is you want!
She also likes to have a laugh with the group while dishing out the pain ;-).
I happily recommend her sessions.
Andy Macrae, Edinburgh
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