The Hard Way Fitness

For people who like to train hard by themselves without making a big deal out of it

Who are we

We’re a very, very, small group of people who train by ourselves in the early morning or late at night who like to good quality, affordable and hard training programmes.

Our Mission

To take the fundamentals of health and fitness, and effectively apply those to affordable, accessible and bloody good training programmes.

Some Client Testimonials

  • A man with a shaved head taking a selfie in a gym mirror wearing a black t-shirt with yellow writing and graphics.

    Coming off the back of a power lifting programme, I completed a 12 week hypertrophy focused program by Hard Way Fitness. Custom made for me with my inputs/testing before we started. It was amazing for me, got me ready for volleyball season.

    Jose, Facilities Engineering

  • I've been using kettlebells ~15 years, had stalled & needed a push. Stephen understands the big picture, sleep, recovery, & what fits into real lives & demanding job. If you're busy but takes fitness seriously & needs to work around your life rather than take it over, Stephen gets that from the start.

    Deb, Programmer

  • With coach Mooney, the encouragement & support have allowed me make consistent improvements in physical fitness & overall health, with clear, well-explained programmes which are flexible enough to be done at home /in gym and with variety to keep them interesting & a challenge.

    Peter, Business Analyst,

  • Stephen created an excellent community with The Hardway Fitness. His coaching style enabled me to enjoy training, encourage motivation & make fitness a long term priority + goal! He made tailored plans for my goals & adjusts as we go! I would highly recommend!

    Ciara, Teacher

  • Close-up portrait of a young woman with long, light brown hair, wearing a beige knit sweater and hoop earrings, sitting inside a car

    Stephen really knows his stuff, taking time to understand my training & strengths Offering thoughtful suggestions. Seeing how intentionally he designs programs, I reached out about a specific strength goal of mine. He put together a custom plan that feels both challenging & achievable

    Hannah, Director

  • A woman with long curly hair smiling at a waterfall in a rocky river setting, holding a striped bag and a phone, wearing a blue top, shorts, and sandals.

    Stephen and the Hard Way Fitness approach is really very good at what he does! I mean so helpful, responsive, kind and he gave me a structured diet and training plan that brings results. I’m in the middle of my training and looking forward to getting the end results! I know it’s soon.

    Dina, Founder

  • Headshot of a smiling man with short brown hair, wearing a gray button-up shirt, against a plain gray background.

    Maintaining fitness was difficult considering my desk job. The discipline and routine of this programme ensured I was fit and ready. Staying disciplined over the programme thought me resilience and there was real accountability. It made showing up for training so much easier and effective.

    Eric , Founder Velacor

  • A woman and a teenage boy wearing military camouflage vests taking a selfie inside a building near a door with bright light coming through.

    Following basic training, I wanted to build on my fitness gains, Hard Way Fitness took what I knew in terms of calisthenics and ramped it up, I also learned technique and proper form for kettlebell training, sandbags and other equipment in a very short space of time. I know now the standard I need to beat.

    Marcin, Soldier

  • A middle-aged man with light skin, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and a striped tie, standing against a gray background.

    Hard Way Fitness took a difficult set of requirements, that limited a lot of common training methods, and found ways and means to still get the job done. Everything I needed was in the palm of my hand with the TrainHeroic app and coaches were on hand for feedback and support

    Liam, Retired Engineer Power Generation

  • I've used the Hard Way Fitness for my training needs for several years now, including before, during and after two pregnancies. It's enabled me to train long term, stay injury free and keep fit. Can't recommend the Hard Way Fitness enough for online training and support.

    Agnieszka, Corporate Actions

  • I met Stephen on his community and we quickly started working on a program that would suit my needs. The program has been so easy to follow and it has the flexibility to fit with my busy schedule. Stephen is so supportive and encouraging every step of the way. Highly recommend jumping on board!

    Daniel Emergency Nurse

  • Line of female soldiers in camouflage uniforms, wearing brown berets with military insignia, holding rifles at attention during a parade or ceremony.

    Support, valuable guidance, and a precisely designed training plan from Hard Way Fitness helped me prepare for military service and achieve my goals. It was easy to balance full-time work, family responsibilities, and preparation for my additional role in the army.

    Katarzyna, Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej

  • Marathon runners crossing the finish line at a race event with banners reading 'Great Ireland Run' and 'SPAR' overhead, spectators and race officials present.

    Working with the Hard Way Fitness, we focused on using strength training to improve my running abilities, specifically for marathons. The programme and training gave are top class and I was able to improve my time and we worked on some weaker areas too so I felt more confident.

    Louise, Lawyer

  • A man in a wetsuit surfing on a wave near a shoreline with buildings and a tower in the background.

    Stephen from Hard Way Fitness and I did our Strength and Conditioning, Functional Screening and Personal Training Courses together, he is all about the 'Personal' aspect first and foremost making sure programmes fit and work with you, and training second, not to say the Training isn't also top class.

    Michael, Founder Surf'SUP SurfSchool

  • Stephen & I studied at Setanta College for our PT and S&C qualifications, he was all about the detail but keeping things simply and straightforward for clients, he's a strong communicator and knows how to drive a person to the outcome they want, in the time they have"

    Philip , Founder Philip Byrne Online Coaching

  • A rugby team group photo on a grass field with players wearing black and yellow uniforms. There are 14 players and one coach, some kneeling, some standing, with trees and houses in the background.

    Stephen at the Hard Way Fitness trained the senior exiles team coming in to help mid-season and got straight into it, feedback was always positive and there was a particular lunging, squatting and push-up sequence the lads won't forget anytime soon. Knows his stuff that's for sure.

    Dublin City Exiles Rugby League Team

  • Hard Way Fitness programmes and their team training are unique in that they blends really good training, with the experience of how to fit it into real working adult and parents busy days. The community aspect is phenomenal for accountability and keeping you compliant

    Daniel, Programmer/Developer

  • Stephen and I were in the same army recruit platoons throughout training and beyond. Stephen always displayed very high levels of fitness and resilience thanks to the way he designed and implemented his own training. A lot of people took notice and he supported many of us in achieving the fitness standards

    Ilze, Emergency Medical Technician

  • Close-up of a woman with long, wavy gray hair outdoors, with a blurred grassy background.

    With a demanding job and three kids, I needed a training solution that was both effective and realistic. Hard Way Fitness is exactly that. The workouts are thoughtfully structured, easy to follow, and push me just the right amount. Stephen’s approach made strength training accessible and sustainable.

    Kasia, Vice President Global Bank

  • 6 kids means time is of the essence for me when it comes to training. Hard Way Fitness analysed my week and found two spots for me to train and with a little bit of planning I was able to implement it, the accountability helped a lot. The Programme was exactly what I needed.

    Małgorzata, Civil Servant

Our Promise

We endeavor to provide the highest quality service we can to you. We will never sell your information, cross sell you products or basically take advantage of your trust in us. We will keep your best interests and goals at heart. Discretion and privacy are priorities for us, that’s why you won’t find us all over social media.

Our training methodology was built, tested and refined on the requirements of busy c-suite executives and founders, many are also parents and amateur athletes who needed efficient and effective solutions that suited the time they have. Our training combines the best of business, sports and military methods, culture and knowledge into a focused singular approach that keeps you engaged, compliant and gets you the body they want, in the time available to you.

— Stephen Mooney