Science-Led Strength and Conditioning

Enhance your athletic performance.

This is U7 Performance. 

We are a highly skilled coaching team that utilises scientific research alongside professional experience to form a complete and tailored training programme to improve your athletic performance.

Our coaching team will work with you closely to understand how best to support you to achieve your goals. Through the provision of tailored training programmes, athletic monitoring and performance testing, nutrition programming, as well as sports therapy support, we will place you in the best position for you to reach your full potential.

We believe strongly in using education and knowledge as a base for continual long-term athletic improvement. As a U7 Performance Athlete you must believe the same. As you progress through your training with us, your coaching team will guide you to improve your knowledge and understanding of your own athletic performance. This will serve to help you analyse your own performances, recognise strengths and weaknesses, and understand how to remediate them. 

If you are serious about your performance, looking to improve your athleticism, or want to take the next step to amplify your sporting success, you have just found the team to take you there. 

Are you ready?

Matt Handford

  • Youth Strength and Conditioning

  • Strength Training

  • Athletic Performance and Development

  • Olympic Weightlifting

Matt holds a BSc and MSc in strength and conditioning, and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Gloucestershire where he is investigating accelerated eccentrics.

Matt takes time to get to know his clients individually so that he can build a comprehensive and bespoke training programme that fits the clients needs. His attention to detail and research-based philosophy means that you can be sure that every session with him has a purpose towards a desired outcome.

Matt also has experience working with professional and amateur athletes in both disability and non-disability sports. Matt looks to combine scientific knowledge with that of practical strength and conditioning application to allow for improved performance.

  • (Currently) Professional Doctorate Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences

  • UKSCA Equality, Diversity and Inclusiveness Panel Member

  • MSc Strength and Conditioning

  • BSc Strength and Conditioning

  • CYQ Personal Trainer (Level 3)

Published Works:

  • Handford, M.J., Bright, T.E., Mundy, P., Lake, J., Theis, N. and Hughes, J.D., 2022. The need for eccentric speed: A narrative review of the effects of accelerated eccentric actions during resistance-based training. Sports Medicine, pp.1-23.

  • Handford, M.J.,Rivera, F.M., Maroto-Izquierdo, S., & Hughes, J.D. (2021). Plyo-Accentuated Eccentric Loading Methods to Enhance Lower Limb Muscle Power. Strength and Conditioning Journal.

  • Handford, M.J., Bright, T.E., Mundy, P. and Hughes, J., 2022. The utilisation of post-activation performance enhancement to enhance jump performance during training and sporting competition. Professional Strength & Conditioning Journal, (63), pp.19-26.

    Matthew J Handford (researchgate.net)

Contact:

(e) Matt.handford@u7gym.co.uk

(m) 07512 155145

Performance Client Testimonials.

  • Ben Rees

    MMA

    • Professional fighter on Cage Warriors

    I have been working with Matt Handford at U7 Performance for over a year to enhance my ability to perform.

    It all started from sustaining a nasty knee injury in MMA whilst training. When I was injured, Matt developed a tailored programme for me that involved a huge emphasis on putting load on my injury, and adding in other strengthening exercises to prevent injury in the future.

    When I had recovered Matt changed my programme and we started working specifically on my strength and power which is essential in my sport, and over the course of a few months he had me losing 6kg just from guiding me every day through a disciplined food regime and consistent aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. Despite being lighter and closer to my competition weight of 66kg I was physically lifting more than ever before and at a greater speed and this definitely transferred into my sport where I felt light on my feet, had snappy punches and kicks and my wresting and transitions were explosive.

    Matt is methodical, precise and holds the athlete accountable. I see a huge benefit for any aspiring sports person working their strength and conditioning with him and I’m excited for future fights that we can work together.

  • Oscar Knight

    Wheelchair Basketball

    • Great Britain U22 Men’s Squad

    Matt’s coaching has helped me improve both in my sport and away from my sport.

    His enthusiasm, patience and dedication are unmatched and without it I would not have gotten as far in my sport as I have. He has worked on bettering my strength - which was the main goal - and that has led to serious improvements in more skill-based aspects in my sport.

    My fitness has also improved considerably which also helps with all aspects of my sport.

  • Ryan Stack

    BMX

    • 10 x British Champion

    • 8 x World & European finalist, including European Champion & World number 3 twice.

    Since working with Matt just over 8 weeks ago, I have noticed so much change in myself, not only physically but mentally as well.

    His attention to detail in training & sessions is so precise and with a clear structure, meaning I just have to turn up and put in the hard work.

    We have already started to implement the training towards my main goal which is to win the BMX world champs next year.

    Having someone with so much knowledge, I completely trust what he says & I can’t wait to see what we can achieve going forward!

  • George Greenway

    Cricket

    • England Deaf Cricket Men’s captain 2021-2022 season.

    I approached Matt for a cricket specific programme, as I wanted to build more explosive power! I chose Matt, because he has had to overcome a lot of challenges to get to where he is and now pushing many more people with disabilities like me!

    Over the duration with Matt my strength and power has increased more than I could have imagined, without his support I wouldn’t have got anywhere close to this!

    I have a target to reach and the programme so far has made me realise it is achievable! I couldn’t praise Matt enough to for pushing me to keep better and stronger.

  • Lois Silk

    Amateur Boxing

    • National Junior Alliance Championships

    • National Schoolboy Alliance Championships

    • 6 x Weston Counties Champion

    I am an amateur boxer and I compete at a very high level, competing nationally and all over the country. I have won 6 western counties titles and 2 alliance national titles. I’ve also been invited to and trained at multiple England camps and helped sparring with the chosen squad that was going to the European championships.

    I’ve been working with Matt for just two months and I can already see and feel the benefits from doing this programme.

    My programme is heavily focused on strength and power which I can already feel the difference in training by being able to explode in combinations, my footwork and speed has improved and also my overall strength when in close with my opponents has improved massively.

    I first started working with Matt because I felt like for me to take my sport to the next level, I needed to do the extra work outside of boxing and I am very happy with my decision and where my sport is now going to.

    I enjoy the sessions with Matt as he pushes me in sessions but also asks if I have any feedback or if I can feel any weaknesses that I feel I need improving. This is good as it allows for any weakness to be rectified quickly and to push on further with the programme