Why is strength training important during peri-menopause?

Strength training helps counteract hormonal changes that reduce muscle mass, bone density and energy levels during peri-menopause.

How often should women over 45 do resistance training?

Most women benefit from two to three strength sessions per week focusing on compound movements and progressive overload.

Does sports massage help with menopause-related fatigue?

Sports massage improves circulation, reduces muscle tension and supports recovery, which can help reduce fatigue linked to hormonal changes.

What should beginners expect in their first strength training session?

Sessions begin with movement assessment, technique coaching and confidence-building exercises tailored to each woman's needs.

Welcome to
The Fortabella Studio

I’m Rachel, Personal Trainer for one-to-one and small group classes, and Sports Massage Therapist. The perfect complement to a healthy life.

Join me at my private studio in the countryside nicely situated on the edge of Stoke Prior, in the Barnt Green, Bromsgrove and Droitwich area. You may be interested in Sports Massage, Personal Training or both.

A private studio in a quiet, rural setting

1-to-1 personal training

Sports Massage Therapy

Special Opening Offer

To celebrate the opening of The Fortabella Studio, I am offering a limited availability package of 3 x in person 1-1 PT sessions (60 mins) for just £100.

If you are ready to commit to the science and want to dive straight in, there are other packages and services available to suit a range of requirements. Contact me for full details and to secure your session(s) before spaces are fully booked.

Special Opening Offer

To celebrate the opening of The Fortabella Studio, I am offering a limited availability package of 3 x in person 1-1 PT sessions (60 mins) for just £100.

Contact Rachel

Welcome to
The Fortabella Studio

Work with me, Rachel, a personal trainer for one-to-one and small group classes, and a sports massage therapist. The perfect complement to a healthy life.

Personal Training Details

Sports Massage Therapy Details

Book a Session

Get in touch: rachel@fortabella.org

Hi, I’m Rachel, founder of the Fortabella Studio.

As a 50-something former triathlete, Ironman and GB Age Grouper, I know first-hand how tough exercising can feel when depleting hormones, life and ageing all collide and your body just doesn’t seem to be able to do what it used to.

For years I trained relentlessly, pushing on through exhaustion until I finally learned how to train intelligently, properly understand the impact of exercise on the body and rebuild my mindset around fitness.

That shift was a revelation for me, and it can be for you too.

Now, as a qualified personal trainer and sports massage therapist, I bring together experience, empathy and evidence based coaching to help you achieve your goals with confidence.

Hi, I’m Rachel, founder of the Fortabella Studio.

That shift was a revelation to me, and it can be for you too.

Now, as a qualified personal trainer and sports massage therapist, I bring together experience, empathy and evidence based coaching to help you achieve your goals with confidence.

What people are saying ...

Rachel gives the right level of encouragement and support

I really enjoy Rachel’s circuits classes. I had always exercised regularly before joining, but she teaches useful tweaks and new exercises that really improve my strength and help me do the exercises safely with the correct posture and weight bearing.

She always has good personal advice for how best to work out to avoid injury and strengthen muscles to help get rid of niggles and twinges. I highly recommend her as a trainer – she gives the right level of encouragement and support to push yourself and feel stronger, fitter and healthier.

Dorothea

It’s been a genuinely positive and motivating experience training with her

I can’t recommend Rachel highly enough as a personal trainer. She has consistently held me to account for my training, while pushing me to progress in a way that feels both challenging and achievable.

She regularly refreshes and updates my programme to keep things engaging and well‑balanced, and she’s always been accommodating of my schedule, capacity and appetite to train at any given time.

I really value her practical, pragmatic approach, her ability to challenge me appropriately, and her responsiveness whenever I need to adapt or refocus. It’s been a genuinely positive and motivating experience training with her!

Sarah

I have also been able to see clear progress

I have really enjoyed Rachel’s circuit sessions and would highly recommend them. Her instructions are always clear and easy to follow, and she uses a good range of activities, pictures and demonstrations so you know exactly what to do. I really appreciate that she provides easier and harder versions of exercises, which means the sessions work well for different levels of fitness and experience.
The sessions are always well organised, with a proper warm-up, cool-down, music and plenty of variety between activities, so they feel fun, engaging and purposeful. Rachel is friendly, supportive and motivating, and she creates a really positive atmosphere.
I have also been able to see clear progress. Before starting, I could only manage about five press-ups with effort, but I can now do around 25 much more comfortably, and I feel stronger overall. Rachel’s sessions have been varied, enjoyable and genuinely effective.

Get in touch: rachel@fortabella.org

Join me at my purpose built studio.
The Fortabella Studio offers:

- - 1-to-1 personal training
  - Small group personal training
  - Sports Massage Therapy
  - Goal setting: strength, ‘tone’, cardiovascular function, body composition
  - Nutrition guidance, progress review and full accountability
  - Additional training programmes, tracking and guidance via dedicated PT app