Archive for the ‘Training’ Category

Curves, Cardio and Machine Weights…Waste Of Time?

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Two women in their late twenties came into the personal training studio the other day and initially they seemed to be impressed with the resistance training area, changing rooms and facilities in general. Looking a bit confused they worked up the confidence to ask:

‘That’s great, now where is the cardio room and the rest of the machines?…upstairs?’


They actually attempted to walk up the stairs, which to their disappointment was a dance hall…

When I explained that we dont have a single piece of cardio equipment they were a little perplexed.

‘But we want to lose weight, not bulk up…we dont know if this is for us…’

Even after I explained that cardio workouts were, for the most part, not only useless but actually counterproductive in some cases they looked at me like I was a complete moron.

The usual fitness club workout ...Doesn't look very productive does it?

It was at that moment I realised:

1. They didnt want ‘personal’ training.

2. They obviously knew more than me about weight loss.

3. They made up their mind that they were going to pay a glorified fitness instructor in a fitness club to carry out a predetermined programme. One they already had in mind which involved the gym instructor pressing buttons on a treadmill for them…

Sure what do I know… right? Clients of mine have lost up to 80lbs in 3 months…No cardio…

To be honest I can confidently say that I could get better results from somebody using their bodyweight and the floor than any amount of machines or contraptions could possibly get. Machines are fine to an extent but they are useless when compared to bodyweight exercise, free weights and circuit training – training athletically.

99% of the gym population performs the following;

30 minutes on the treadmill

20 minutes on the xtrainer

15 minutes doing ‘a few machine weights

Maybe some tricep kickbacks and curls with some flourescent dumbbell at the end. Maybe even a leg press…

The curves leg press...hmmmm

99% of the gym population are getting nowhere…

To be honest this is what I call a ‘healthy’ workout…or somebody who goes to the gym to be ‘Healthy’. Thats fine but it never lasts. Why?

Lets cut the crap…Nobody goes and seeks out a personal trainer to get ‘healthier’ there is something much deeper than that motivating them.

Do you really think anyone sits down at their computer, googles ‘personal trainer’ or ‘Curves’ and goes to the bother of browsing 10 different personal training websites and contacts several fitness clubs because they are worried about their ‘health’…not likely.

Okay there are a few who have been referred from a GP or specialist to go and get a fitness programme or personal training but it is rare. The majority of case are people who have a burning desire to achieve a goal and it is broken down like this.

50% weight loss

30% muscle gain

10% sport specific

10% other

It really is a case of good programming, hard work and dedication…key word being good programming. Truth be told if all I had was a pen, paper and nice handwriting I know for a fact I could do more for someones body transformation goals than 200 stupid commercial machines by writing them a training programme that actually worked. Well I would write them an online training programme and illustrate it but you get the idea.

Click here for –>> Online training programmes <<

Click here for a training system that cant fail…



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Strength Test Update – Making A Show Of Myself

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Made a show of myself benching here :-)

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My Strength Testing Results And Athlete Physique Update

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

I recently took up in a new gym in Finglas…

I have been over there on a few reconnaissance missions, basically sussing the place out…

I’m delighted with the place, its perfect.

-Matted areas,

-Seperate weights/dumbbell area

-Kettle bells,

-Prowlers,

-Funky bars I’ve never used before (except in the states)

Don’t be put off either as it is not ALL hardcore equipment and man sweat :-)

There is equipment there to assist untrained individuals and beginners, much better than your standard commercial gym… Perfect for athletes and people training to look better naked alike.

There is no posing and nobody (except Will who may mock you at any given time…it is his place after all) staring at you.

It is the perfect training environment… I arrived one night and Barry told me I wasnt allowed train until I was tested … I done a sneaky little workout and even made a little soundtrack for Dan :-)

I got away with that day but I knew I had to get it out if the way…

I cling on to my personal records too much…they were as follows (like 18months ago and not on the same day)

Weight: 73kg

Bench: 140kg

Deadlift: 240kg (straight bar)

Squat 175kg (stupid femurs)

Upper Bodyweight 300 in 13:47

And i have been 4.2% bodyfat at one stage

Not Now :-)

But in Informed Performance:


‘Everyone tests…even the trainers’

Its stupid really…talking about personal bests…thats like saying

‘I used to be lean…now im fat’

Im stealing wills quote here:

‘I really dont care where you were last year, I want to know where you are now’

TEST, TEST, TEST…otherwise you will never be able to keep track of what is working for you and what isn’t.

If you are training for a good physique you might think that the mirror is good enough..it isn’t. You have to keep track of your performance first. Your performance will be directly related to your physical appearance.

So here’s the results…

Weight: 77.8Kg
Skinfolds: 47.3mm (8 site total)
Bench: 120kg
Pull Ups: 21 (oh yea I counted them and we missed one)
Push Ups: 73 in 60 secs
Inverted Rows: 35 in 60 secs
Trap Bar Deadlift: 220kg

And Last week i got 12:59 on the Upper Body 300

I’m carrying a little extra muscle and fat..some of that has to go for the up and coming boxing season!

Here is a couple of videos of the testing session… have the deadlift and clips from the others in…unless you want to count push ups? You have better things to do right?

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My goals are as follows:

Skinfolds: – 40mm
Bench: 140kg
Pull Ups: 25
Push Ups: 80 in 60 secs
Inverted Rows: 40 in 60 secs
Trap Bar Deadlift: 220kg +

You have to have goals…

‘You cant hit a target you dont hang’

My training has been somewhat disjointed lately and this testing session made me realize I had been just ‘working out’ lately not Training

The only time I am training with a goal in mind is when im fighting/ have a fight coming up. Since the season ended I have been showing up in the gym and rubbing my hands together and saying to myself

‘What Now’

I know better…I would NEVER let a client go on like that and there I was getting off the hook…

Not now… I will be training… working out is for @**holes

Thanks for reading

B

Athlete Physique guinea pigs going strong

Jay has a few thorns in his side but he is soldiering on:
Http://jaybeasley.wordpress.com

Bob Faust is into week 4 now and getting stronger:
Http://bobfaust.wordpress.com

Robbie made the Irish Golf Team, he’ll be travelling and adding some sport specific work to his programme but he’s still with us:
Http://robbiecannon.wordpress.com

Rob Crenshaw is doing a great job of keeping on track while travelling and training clients…
Http://robcrenshaw.wordpress.com

Take a look at the lads blogs and leave a comment

Thanks for reading!

http://www.athletephysique.com

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