The PT Studio Orkney

20/10/2026

🏆 ATHX GAMES UPDATE – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 🇵🇹

13 weeks ago, I accepted an Invitation to compete at the ATHX Games World Championships in the Women’s PRO Age Group Finals (40+)

8 weeks ago, I sustained a Grade 2 hamstring tear while sprinting. 😩

The goal of competing has never changed, but the route I’ve taken to get there certainly has!

It’s been mentally challenging at times, but I’ve chosen to use this experience as a learning opportunity and adapted my training along the way.

I’m not yet back to full strength on my squat and deadlift, or my previous running speed, but the needle is moving in the right direction 💪 I have improved my lung capacity, V02 Max and upper body strength which will have a positive effect for the Endurance Zone, Metcon and Strict Press .

A huge thank you to Karoline MacPhail (Physio Phix) for all the support she’s given me throughout my recovery. The Winback Therapy machine she uses has been extremely beneficial, alongside her knowledge and guidance allowing me the flexibility to continue training with my own modifications so early in the recovery process.

I won’t thank her for the acupuncture in my adductor muscles, though! 🤢😂

15 events already held across the UK, Europe and USA, there are just two more events in Amsterdam and Los Angeles before the World Championships in Lisbon at the end of November. 🇵🇹

5 weeks of training left!

I know I’m not where I originally planned to be at this stage, but I feel at ease with where I am right now and happy with my progress and looking forward to the event.

The focus now is on continuing to build sensibly to arrive in Lisbon ready to give it my best and enjoy the event/trip with my family members who are making the trip to support me 🥰

Road to Lisbon continues 💪 Same Goal different route and mindset 💪

Your reflective Coach Ruth 💚

20/10/2026

Good morning folks 👋

That is the PT Studio closed until Tuesday 27th of October. I hope you all have a great October break.

New class blocks begin when we return taking us to Christmas! Any available spaces I’ll post up.

Look forward to seeing you all in a weeks time 🤩

Thank you
Ruth 💚

10/10/2026

🔈🔈🔈 SHOUT OUT! 🔊🔈🔈

Huge well done to 3 of the Women’s Weights Group members, Ellie, Claire & Ruth, who hit PERSONAL BESTS in their deadlift this morning! 👏🎉

🟢 — 155kg (+5kg) ⬆️📈
🟢 — 150kg (+7.5kg) ⬆️📈
🟢 — 95kg (+15kg) ⬆️📈

This group doesn’t just grow stronger physically; they grow stronger together 🥰

Supporting, encouraging and celebrating each other every step of the way as they work towards their goals. 💪

An absolute pleasure to coach, and great to see you all getting stronger and smashing your goals - more to come next week the final week of the block 💚

02/10/2026

Had a great day at the Orkney Careers Fair 2026, showcasing The PT Studio and sharing more about careers and opportunities within the sport, health & fitness industry, my own experiences and answering all your questions.

It was fantastic to meet so many pupils, parents, teachers and other local businesses throughout the day.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a chat , took part in the SkiErg challenges and learnt how to do a simple overhead Squat assessments on their friends. I came away inspired I hope you all did too ☺️

📣 Shout out to winners of the Ski Erg Challenge

Peak Watts 💥
Tyler Fitzpatrick 442
Ruby Scarth 288

Maximum Distance 60sec 🥵
Tyler Fitzpatrick 288m
Ruby Scarth 249m

Well done to everyone who gave it ago. Really impressed 👏

Thank you
Ruth 😎

23/09/2026

📣I’m excited to be taking The PT Studio along to the Orkney Careers Fair on Thursday 1st of October at The Pickaquoy Centre. 9.30am - 6pm

ℹ️ The event is being hosted by Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney, with almost 70 exhibitors attending — including employers, universities, training providers and employability support services.

💡 Whether you’re a school pupil thinking about your future, a parent or carer, a teacher, or simply someone interested in a career change, there will be lots of opportunities to find out more about different career paths, education and training.

💪 Come and find me at STAND 50 for a chat ☺️

🟢 For those who don’t know me, my name is Ruth Pottinger. I’m an accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach and Level 4 Personal Trainer, with 17 years’ experience in the sport, health and fitness industry.

For the past 13 years, I’ve built and run my own business, The PT Studio, where I deliver 1:1 coaching alongside a range of weekly classes.

Over the last three years, I’ve also developed and run a Youth Performance Training Academy, supporting young athletes to develop their strength, speed, movement quality and overall physical performance.

💚 I’m passionate about helping people of all ages build confidence, develop their physical abilities and understand how training can support them to perform at their best within sport and life.

So if you’re interested in a career in Sport, Health, Fitness or Coaching, come along and have a chat with me!
I’m happy to answer any questions on various topics:

🏋️ Personal Training & Strength and Conditioning
🎓 Qualifications and pathways into the industry
🏃 Working with athletes and young people
👥 Coaching groups and running classes
💼 What it’s like running your own fitness business
🚀 Building a career in the industry
📚 Education, training and gaining experience

There are no silly questions! I’d love to share some of what I’ve learned along the way to help you.

See you next Thursday Ruth ☺️

11/09/2026

Absolutely delighted to be involved in this fantastic event 👏 It is going to be a great week😊

Be sure to keep an eye on the OIC Sport & Leisure page for when booking is open. I’ll be hosting a few sessions - get book in 💪

Something exciting is coming to Orkney this November...

From 2-6 November, we’ll be hosting a week of events focused on sport, health, confidence and leadership for women and girls of all ages. Activities will include inspiring athlete talks, women’s health sessions, discussions around menstrual health and menopause, coaching and leadership workshops, networking opportunities, and fitness classes for all ages and abilities.

Whether you’re already involved in sport, looking to become more active, or interested in coaching or volunteering, there’s something for everyone.

🎉 We’ll round off the week with a special 10-year celebration party, bringing together athletes, coaches, volunteers and the wider community. The evening will feature inspiring keynote speakers, local food and drinks, a live band, and a chance to celebrate the women and girls who make sport happen across Orkney.

📅 2-6 November 2026
📍 KGS

Save the dates. More details coming soon.

A huge thank you to our sponsors who are helping to make this event happen. Leask Group as our title sponsor. Cooke Scotland, Lows, Sheila Fleet, The Orcadian and Kirstin Shearer Photography.

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to get involved in this event

19/08/2026

💪 CLASSES ARE BACK! 💪

I hope everyone has had a fantastic summer and managed to enjoy some well-earned downtime 😎

It’s now time to get back into routine, and I’m really looking forward to getting everyone back in the studio for our next 8-week block! 🔥

Whether you’re joining or returning to Workout45, Women’s Weights, Youth Performance Training Academy or Hyrox, I have great sessions coming up over the next 8 weeks to get you all stronger, fitter to see progress 💪

📅 Classes start back this week — check out the timetable below for all the days and times.

Let’s get back at it! 💪🔥
8 weeks. New block goals. New progress🏋️‍♀️

Look forward to seeing you all in the studio again and hearing all about your summer ☺️

💡 If you are interested in joining any of the classes in the future just send me a message and I can let you know when spaces become available.

Thank you
Ruth

04/08/2026

💪 Studio back to full swing & Class blocks restarting in the coming weeks 😎
Let’s get looking fresh 🤩

🟢 PT Studio Clothing Order 🟢

I’ll be placing a clothing order at the end of the week. If you’d like to order any PT Studio kit, send me a message before then and I’ll get you added.

▪️Hoodies, Electic coloured hoodies
▪️Sweatshirts, regular or cropped
▪️T-shirt cotton or quickdry
▪️Vests tight or baggie
▪️Cuffed joggers
▪️Hot pants shorts 🔥
▪️Draw string bag

Add your Initials, add your Hyrox/Athx dates make it personal to you 😎

Give me a shout

Cheers
Ruth

24/07/2026

“Pack you’re gym gear”
When your pal comes to visit 😎
Fri - Yay session 💪
Ready to celebrate Eliz 50th tomorrow night 🎉 🤘 🎸

22/06/2026

ATHX Glasgow 2026 🏁

First time competing in the ATHX Women’s Pros division - a challenge I set myself going into my 40+ years!! My goal was to see what was possible sticking to my usual 3-4 training sessions per week and designed my training plan accordingly. Here’s how I got on.

Strength Zone 1️⃣
Strict Shoulder Press 1 RM (rep max)
47.5kg ✅ 50kg ✅ PB 🎉

Back Squat 3 RM
105kg ✅ 113kg ❌ (silver lining happy with my technical ability to ditch the bar 🤪)

Deadlift 5 RM
130kg ✅ 135kg ✅ PB 🎉

Total weight = 290kg
Placed 5th / 12 overall

Endurance Zone 2️⃣
1KM Run into 1KM Row then back to 1KM Run continuous until 22min is complete.

🏃‍♀️ Run total distance = 2.081KM
🚣‍♀️ Row total distance = 2.014KM
Total = 4.095KM
Placed 10th / 12 Overall.

My weakest zone, but one that’s improving. Happy with my pacing, strong on the row, and room to improve on the runs.

Metcon Zone 3️⃣
Complete Metcon within 25min time cap.

1. 30cal Ski Erg
2. 30 reps Ground to Over Head Duel DBs 15kg in each hand
3. 30m Sandbag carry 40kg
4. 30 reps Box jump overs 24”
5. 30m 15kg each side Duel DB Front Rack lunges
6. 30m Broad Jump Burpess
7. 30cal Ski Erg

Total Time = 14.44 ✅ PB 🎉
Placed 5th / 12th Overall

To finish in full send at such a high intensity is mostly a mental game for me. Elizabeth thought I was going to die & I thought there was a possibility 😆 but head down all the way and got the job done.

Overall Result 🏆

6th / 12 in the ATHX Women’s Pros division

Pretty cool seeing my name on the leaderboard with Top UK CrossFit athlete Jennifer Muir 😎

⭐ Stats & Highlights:
▪️ Oldest female in the Women’s Pros field (everyone else was 34 or younger! 😂)
▪️ Currently 3rd overall in my age category across this year’s ATHX Pro events worldwide 🌍
▪️ 1st for Squat & Deadlift 🔥
▪️ 2nd for Shoulder Press 💪

⭐ It been an amazing weekend with fab company. I would just like to give a huge shout out to Elizabeth 🥰 she’s always 100% behind me and supportive with all events I do. Head coach, cheer leader, social media, calmer downer she’s got me covered!! 🤪