Program vs workout

I’ve said it before and I need to say it again, just because you can design a hard work out does not make you a good trainer; you may be, but it doesn’t prove anything. Your quality is defined by your ability to build a program designed to help your client(s) achieve their goals.

Today's long cycle training:
28kg @ 11 rpm for 20 minutes (hand switch on the minute)

If you read this and enjoy it, or are at least slightly amused, please join;-)

My Clydesdales

Many women I train I endearingly refer to as “Clydesdales”. While many women wouldn’t want to be referred to as an oversized horse, it has EVERYTHING to do with their strength and ability to do work. While many women prefer to lift light weights a bazillion times or dance around (which my personal Clydesdale enjoys as well), my girls like to push, pull and lift heavy things. Here are some of their feats of strength and work capacity:
The 64 year old women who can farmer carry 2, 53lb kettlebells 50 yards. She does this with only three fingers on one hand.

My pair of sisters (which are in their 40’s) who can flip a 500lb tire 10 times.

The mother of two who can: deadlift 215 5 times, front squat 165 6 times, bench press 135lb 4 times and do 4 bodyweight pull ups.

Six gals who long cycled a kettlebell for an hour straight without setting them down.

Those who drag the 175lb tire across the asphalt. Not easy!

This is only a snapshot of what gets done on a regular basis. I’m proud of them all for their work ethic and tenacity. TO THE CLYDESDALES!!!!

Today's long cycle training:
24kg @ 12.7 rpm for 30 minutes (hand switch on the minute)

If you read this and enjoy it, or are at least slightly ammused, please join;-)

The Great Motivator

Lately I have become more aware of fear. Fear is something I’ve always viewed as a weakness, but I’m starting to rethink this. Fear can be a great motivator. It can prompt us to evolve, to try new things, to make goals, to take risks. It’s easy to be comfortable. To sit back and be part of the system…but in the end, what can we be proud of? What encouraging words can I offer to my boys if I myself have never embraced and conquered fear?

What does this have to do with fitness? Well, I’ll let you figure that out for yourself.

Today's long cycle training:
24kg @ 14 rpm for 20 minutes (hand switch on the minute)

The 2nd Annual One Hour Long Cycle Charity Event

Today was my first day of specific training for the 2nd annual one hour long cycle charity event in Costa Mesa, CA, October 22nd, 2011.  This years event will go to raise money to benefit the Japan Tsunami and Earthquake relief efforts.  You can learn more about the event at the web site(s) below.

http://www.onehourlongcycle.com/
                          or
https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=193250624065357

As many of you know, last year at our YMCA's annual fundraiser I long cycled a 24kg kettlebell 703 reps.  For this years event I will step it up a notch by attempting to long cycle a 28kg kettlebell between 480-600 reps in the hour (8-10 reps a minute).

Today's long cycle training:
28kg @ 10 rpm for 20 minutes (hand switch on the minute)

PLEASE DO NOT BE AN IDIOT!

Don’t forget about the basics!

My friend (an MMA fighter) who’s looking to become stronger and increase his conditioning asked me tonight what I thought of a popular gym whose whole training philosophy is built around randomness.  I’m always hesitant to say something negative about those I don’t agree with, but I explained it this way.  One of the oldest principles in strength and conditioning is the SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands).  In the context of his sport, if you want to get better at jiu jitsu, do you practice to five minutes, then move on to kick boxing for 5 minutes, then wrestling for five, etc?  No.  You spend countless hours practicing these skills individually to master them.  So when the time comes, the athlete is able to react because their body has adapted specifically to the demand they have placed on it. 

The same goes for strength and conditioning.  If a client is going to pay personal trainer money, the odds are they have specific goals they wish to achieve; I’m guessing their goal is not random results.  It’s probably to become stronger, rehab an injury, lose weight, etc; these results can’t happen randomly.  As fitness professionals, we must be able to design a program with a logical progression to best serve your clients “specific adaptation” goals using exercises that are both safe and effective.