The Switchback training team

Switchback Training is owned and run by Rob and Hugh.

Hugh and Naomi

We are athletes and coaches ourselves, training for and competing in iron distance triathlons, cyclosportives and running events in the UK and around Europe. We live and train here in the French Alps because we believe there's no better training environment.

Hugh Colvin

Hugh is an accomplished Ironman triathlete, triathlon coach and personal trainer. He has competed in Ironman UK, France, Lanzarote and the Norseman Xtreme triathlon in Norway.

Hugh is a keen swimmer, often exiting the water with the lead pack with a personal best Ironman swim of 52 minutes against the tide and 3rd out of the water at the Norseman in 2009. An ever improving cyclist he was a respectable 8th off the bike in the same race and loves the challenge of the Alpine climbs.

His finishing times regularly place him in the top 10% of races in triathlons, cycling sportives and running races. His main goal is to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii which he is hoping to achieve next year.

Hugh has worked as a coach with the ProVO2.com race team and is also a level 3 qualified personal trainer with qualifications in sports nutrition and weight management. After six years of living in the mountains he can offer a wealth of experience training in the Alps and preparing for long distance events.

Hugh will happily help you with swimming technique, discuss the finer points of the perfect stride and help you with a nutrition strategy to get you in peak condition

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Robert Reid

Robert Reid became hooked on cycling when he moved to London in 2006, and through training with London Dynamo has taken part in cycle sportive and road races in the UK and Europe.

With a couple of marathons under his belt he developed his swimming and in 2009 completed his first Ironman triathlon, finishing as fastest UK athlete in category in Austria, something he plans to build on in Switzerland next year.

His racing career has seen success across various sports. As a qualified sailing instructor he represented his country for two consecutive years. An interest in fell running resulted in a second place finish in the Scottish Islands Peak Race.

Rowing at university developed his capacity for training, resulting in Scottish championship medals. Rob’s endless enthusiasm for training comes from his belief that your attitude to training is as important as the training itself and means he'll always have a bit more left to give at the end of a long day to keep you motivated.

For more information please get in touch using our contact page

"The hard work I put in during my time with Rob and Hugh was instrumental in helping me achieve my goals."

Robert Quantrell - Finished in top ten of UK athletes at IM Austria