About
Our Gym

At The Athlete Academy in Edinburgh, Lothian, we coach kids aged 10-18 to build confidence, move better, get stronger and build lasting healthy habits. Whether your child’s goal is to increase speed, improve strength, or prevent injuries, they’ll make amazing progress in a focussed, supportive space.

Rob Anderson owner of The Athlete Academy

FOUNDER CIRCA 2020

MSc Applied Sport & Exercise Physiology

BSc Strength & Conditioning Science

UKSCA Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach

EXOS Performance Enhancement Specialist

Precision Nutrition Level 1

ISAK Level 1 Anthropometrist

Level 2 NASM Fitness Trainer

Level3 NASM Certified Personal Trainer

Level 3 Advanced NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist

Rob Anderson

Founder

Rob is the founder of The Athlete Academy and one of the UK’s leading specialists in youth athletic development. With over 15 years of experience working with young athletes across schools, clubs, and national governing bodies, Rob has dedicated his career to answering one question: how do we give every young athlete the best possible chance to reach their potential?

Rob’s coaching career has included working within the Scottish Rugby Academy across national youth pathways and helped develop athletes who have gone on to play for Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh Rugby, the Senior Scotland International Squad and even the British Lions. He has been an Accredited Strength & Conditioning Coach through the United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association since 2010. In 2024 he was awarded the UKSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year for Youth Sport, the highest honour in youth S&C coaching in the UK.

He founded The Athlete Academy in 2020, which has helped over 300 athletes achieve measurable improvements in key performance indicators like speed, strength, power and physical resilience, within their first six months of training.

Rob has built a reputation as a genuine thought leader in the field not just as a practitioner, but as an educator and presenter trusted by some of the world’s leading sporting organisations. His professional network includes a long-standing position with Collaborate Sports as a Coach Mentor leading on their “Effective Long Term Athlete Development” pathway, through which he has mentored over 30 coaches working in schools, clubs, national governing bodies and businesses from the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, India and beyond!

Rob has been invited to present at international conferences, including the 2025 ASCA International Conference on Applied Strength & Conditioning, the 2026 Coaches Congress Conference in London, and has presented multiple times for the UK Strength & Conditioning Association Conference.

Rob has previously delivered workshops and presentations for:
• La Liga
• Scottish Rugby Union
• UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA)
• Australian Strength & Conditioning Association (ASCA)
• Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)
• Highlands & Islands Sports & Health Science
• LTAD Network
• Stewarts Melville College
• George Heriot’s School
• Accelerate Rugby
• Edinburgh Community Sports Hub
• East Lothian Council
• Jersey Sport Foundation

Rob’s expertise has also been sought by leading sports performance and coaching podcasts, including: UKSCA Coach Considerations, ASCA Podcast, The Athletic Edge, The Performance Gap, Little Boots Big Dreams, Women’s Football Hub Podcast, Athletic Skills, PA Chalk Up, Progress Theory, The Racquet Athlete, Lift the Bar, Platform to Perform, 245 Raising the Bar, The Curve Mindset, and Growing Up Strong.

Learn About
Our Coaching Team

The coaches at The Athlete Academy are all about helping your child move better, stay consistent, and reach their goals. With expert support and real accountability, your child will have everything they need to succeed.

Ben Parkes

Coach

Ben obtained his BSc in Sport & Exercise Science and began working with the Scottish Rugby Union academy system where he began developing the practical elements of coaching across both the Borders and Edinburgh regions. In 2017 he took an opportunity to move to New Zealand where he spent four and half years working with professional rugby union players in the National Provincial Championship for both Northland Rugby and Southland Stags regions. He has returned to Scotland and is in the process of studying clinical nutrition whilst upskilling in performance psychology. His belief is that even a basic understanding of strength and conditioning is a benefit to absolutely everyone, whether a health conscious individual or a professional athlete.

Qualifications:
Bachelors of Sports & Exercise Science with Honours
Precision Nutrition Level 1

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Calum Maxwell

Coach

Calum holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science from Heriot-Watt University. With a background in Mountain Biking and sprinting for Lasswade Athletic, Calum developed a strong passion for athletic performance from a young age. He holds an ISAK Level 1 certification, is a Level 2 Gym Instructor, and is working towards his UKSCA trainer qualification. Calum’s coaching philosophy is rooted in helping athletes of all levels reach their full potential. With a focus on strength and conditioning, he enjoys guiding young athletes through tailored training programs that enhance performance, improve recovery, and support long-term development.

Qualifications:
Bachelors of Sports Science with Honours
ISAK Level 1
Level 2 Gym Instructor

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Reece Hope

Lead Coach

Reece brings a decade of experience as an Pro Academy Football Player, with 8 years at Heart of Midlothian FC and a further 2 years at St. Johnstone FC. He is also a graduate of the Scottish Football Association Performance School system. A personal highlight from his football career was captaining his team against Manchester United.

Reece has been coaching at The Athlete Academy for 3 years, using his understanding of what high-level sport demands from young athletes, and how to prepare them physically and mentally for those demands. More recently Reece has taken to endurance running, completing 3 Ultra marathons, including a gruelling 100 mile challenge.

Qualifications:
BSc Sport and Exercise Science
UKSCA S&C Trainer
ISAK Level 1
Level 3 Certified Personal Trainer
Level 2 Fitness Coach

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Ross Veitch

Assistant Coach

Ross is a 4 x National Medal Sprinter, competing for Giffnock North Athletics Club – one of Scotland’s most successful athletics clubs. His background in sprinting is directly relevant to his coaching at The Athlete Academy, where speed development is a core component of every athlete’s programme.

Ross has 4 years experience in coaching developing athletes. At The Athlete Academy, he is dedicated to supporting athletes’ long-term development, combining his sprint expertise with a broader strength and conditioning approach to help young athletes move faster, get stronger, and stay healthy.

Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science
Level 4 Sports Massage
Level 1 UK Athletics

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Morven Thomson

Coach

Morven holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science from Heriot-Watt University. She holds a Level 2 Gym Instructor certification and ISAK Level 1 accreditation and is actively working towards her UKSCA Trainer Qualification. With over 10 years of rugby experience, Morven has represented Scotland at U18 level and was selected for the Scotland U20 training squad. She expanded her playing and training experience during a season in New Zealand, gaining valuable insights into international coaching methods and sporting culture. Alongside rugby, Morven has been an active member of the Heriot-Watt Athletics Club for the past three years, including a year spent coaching the sprinters. Morven has joined the Athlete Academy to support young athletes in developing their confidence, enhancing their skills, and improving their overall performance.

Qualifications:
Bachelors of Sports Science with Honours
Level 1 ISAK
Level 2 Fitness Coach

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Advanced Equipment

Our facility is equipped with professional-grade training equipment selected specifically for youth athletic development. This includes lighter technique barbells from 7kg, dumbbells from 2kg, micro fractional plates from 0.5kg, kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls, soft plyometric boxes, hurdles, and skipping ropes. Heavy-duty safety racks and bodyweight tools ensure all training is safe, scalable, and age appropriate. Our facility is the ideal space for training young athletes.

Young athlete performing overhead barbell lift during training at The Athlete Academy

Young athlete using gymnastic rings with coach supervision at The Athlete Academy

Young athlete practicing overhead barbell movement with coach guidance at The Athlete Academy

Athlete performing vertical jump test on platform at The Athlete Academy

Young athlete holding weight plate during strength training session at The Athlete Academy

Young athlete practicing barbell technique with focus on hand positioning at The Athlete Academy

Coach observing and guiding young athletes during training at The Athlete Academy

Teen athlete performing dumbbell bench press exercise at The Athlete Academy

Young athlete throwing medicine ball during training drill at The Athlete Academy

Premium Amenities

The Athlete Academy operates from a dedicated performance facility designed specifically for developing athletes, not adult fitness classes. Our space includes clearly defined training zones for strength, speed, agility, and movement skill development, allowing structured, well-organised sessions. Located close to key transport links, the facility is easily accessible for families. We use technology-supported monitoring to track performance progress and physical growth, creating a safe, professional, and supportive environment for long-term athletic development.

About
Our Gym