Gracemount Bodybuilding Gym

Unfortunately, due to the extreme heatwave in the lead up to Iain and Martins Mont Blanc challenge for WDC, the rockfall in the Goutier Grand Couloir was too dangerous for them to cross. Although this is a very short section of the route, around 100 metres, they were advised by their lead guide that it was too dangerous to contemplate.

However, as they had to reduce their altitude challenge, they decided to increase the adrenaline stakes, and so they agreed a programme with thier guides to climb three ridges on the French-Italian border. The final programme that they completed is below; with a full set of photos to follow.

Day 1 : trek up to the Emmannuelle Vittorio hut in the Aosta Valley

Day 2 : summit of Gran Paradiso - a very cold and icy summit

Day 3 : climb and traverse the Cosmique Arrettes ridge in Chamonix. A brilliant day with lots of exposure and some heart-stopping moments.

Day 4 : walked over the glacier to the Italian alps and climbed the Aiguille du Tacul. Not the highest peak, though had a scary snow ascent, and an even scarier descent backwards! Stayed overnight in the Torino hut near Courmayeur.

Day 5 : an alpine start and a superb ridge climb on the Auiguille de Marbrees.

So, although they were initially disappointed with the Mont Blanc decision, they have had a fantastically challenging week and made a bit of money for our good friends at WHO DARES CARES.

Well done lads, amazing effort!

The lads successfully summited Gran Paradiso this morning: 4am start with 7 hour round trip.

They are just waiting to hear about the conditions on Mont Blanc

Great effort guys…. Warm-up done!

Make a difference....

Iain Craig, owner of ICS, and Martin Rankin, long-standing members of Gracemount Gym and former members of 23 SAS, are soon to set off on an inspiring quest to summit Mont Blanc.

Their expedition begins on 4 July in Chamonix, France, before they travel to Italy to climb Gran Paradiso (4,061m) to acclimatise and, incredibly, as a warm-up.

They will then move on to Mont Blanc (4,806m) and aim to reach the summit by Thursday 10 July, where they will proudly raise the Who Dares Cares banner as their summit flag.

Who Dares Cares is an amazing charity that provides emotional, financial and practical support to members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services, along with their families, who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Iain and Martin are donating all proceeds raised from this expedition to Who Dares Cares. Please give generously if you can. It really does make a difference.

The QR code takes you to the official WDC Just giving page, feel free to leave some words of encouragement for Iain and Martin, they will appreciate it.
Follow their journey online and help spread the word.

Fundraiser for Who Dares Cares Help Rab Landells raise money to support Who Dares Cares

🚨‼️MONDAY 6.30PM ITS ON! NEW BOOTCAMP!!Get ready to sweat it out in the great outdoors! 💪 Join us on 19th May at Gracemount Bodybuilding Gym for the launch of our Outdoor Boxercise & Circuit Training sessions! Whether you're looking to build strength, boost fitness, or just have fun while staying active, this high-energy class has something for everyone! Sign up today and get ready to smash your fitness goals in the fresh air! See you there!

A reach out on behalf of one of our revered iron brothers, Chick. Every penny helps towards this life changing surgery that Chick needs. Please dig deep if you can, and share.

Donate to Charlie Allan Needs Our Help!, organized by Randy Dedrickson Hi my name is Randy and we are reaching out with a sincere request for support for… Randy Dedrickson needs your support for Charlie Allan Needs Our Help!

Although you are gone, you will be missed and never forgotten by your iron family brother.

A floral arrangement has been arranged on behalf of us all at the gym.

Scotland’s very own Michael Nardone (Traces, Rome, Line of Duty) returns as ‘Frisky’ in the blockbuster series, The Night Manager. If you haven’t seen it, make sure you add it to your watch list!

Michael has been training at our gym for some time now, introduced to us by another Scottish acting legend Charlie "Chick" Allan (Gladiator, Thor 2, Transformers 5).

Michael trains mid-morning and is here most days, putting max effort into each session in the lead up to his appearance in The Night Manager 2.

Unlike Frisky, Michael won’t snarl if you want to come say hi and has a smile for everyone!

You might even see him and Chick smash out a session together on occasion! 💪🏼