Had a brilliant first week at fitness4less in Chesham. a great bunch of people there.
Spin classes went really well – the members seem to like my style of teaching which is good.
Just a shame I had to cancel today’s class as I can’t get in due to snow. There’s always next week though – on my birthday!
After a number of knockbacks, I’ve finally found a base to start helping other people get fitter, lose weight and live a more fulfilling life.
I am now based at fitness4less (f4l) in Chesham.
Come February, I’ll be teaching studio cycling and circuits, all being well.
If you’re in the area, come down and let me show you the ropes (and barbells, dumbbells, dip machine, ViPR… )
All through my course, it was the running joke that my ultimate fitness ambition was pure vanity, and that I wanted to be able to walk along Miami Beach with a 6-pack and tons of pride.
Well, there is now a timescale. 11 months until we “probably” go to Miami.
11 months for a 6-pack.
Now That’s a goal!
So, I’m now a qualified Gym Instructor. Yes, I passed. My theory exams went really well (even getting 100% in one of them) and I passed my practical. Slightly disappointed with my practical, but got some good feedback from the tutor on the day, and won’t make those mistakes again!
So the plan for the future continues apace. I quit my day job this week, and have only one more day to do on Tuesday and I’m free – free to concentrate on getting ready for when I’m qualified as a PT in December. I’m not going to mess this up!
As for my elbows – I saw a sports physio, who said it wasn’t nerves but tendons, and I mustn’t do any arm exercise that involves biceps for about a month or so. VERY frustrating!
In the meantime, I’m meant to be running a half marathon on Sunday at Blenheim Palace. Don’t get me wrong – I’m loving this heatwave, but can it take a break from 10 – 12:30 on Sunday when I’m running please? Pretty please? training got very confused, so I’m just hoping to finish. I know I can do it, just hoping the heat isn’t too much.
I’ll let you know on Monday!
Let’s start with the ecstasy.
Training is going really well and I’m seeing some real strength gains. Now just to see it physically, as I’m only doing this for vanity!
Also my course was really good last week. It was a different tutor, and not sure if that was the reason or not, but it all started to make sense. I DO know my horizontal flexion from my seduction after all!
I am slightly concerned about my exam next Sunday. Feeling as though we haven’t been taught what we need for half of it.
But the agony is my unhappy nerves! Because I’ve been training hard for over a year now, the nerves running down my arms are under stress. They take longer to adapt than muscles. I’m in complete agony right in the crook of my elbows, and not in a good pain way. It hurts to move my arms in almost any direction. Not good. Should I continue with Strength? I really want to as I’m enjoying the programme, and I’m getting stronger, but at what cost …
I love and hate Strength training in equal measure.
I love it because I know it is going to make me bigger, but I loathe it because you can’t really tell how you are progressing week on week. Let me explain.
If you are running, you may be able to jog for 10 minutes, three times a week. The second week, you’ll be able to jog for 15 minutes, three times a week. The third week, it will be 20 minutes, and a little faster. Real, visible progress week on week.
With Strength training, you can only really tell at the end of the programme – 6 or 8 weeks on.
Take today:
Deadlifts – 4 sets of 6 reps on an olympic bar with 80kg – same as last week.
Chest Press – 4 sets of 6 reps with an olympic bar – 3 sets were 17.5kg each side, and one set was 18.75kg each side. Last week all 4 sets were 17.5kg, so a slight increase.
Leg press – changed machine so no comparison.
Shoulder press – changed machine so no comparison.
So in a week, all I have increased is a measly 1.25kg weight on 1 set. But I know that’s real progress, and will translate into some big improvements in 6 weeks time (providing I eat right as well – eating an apple as I type 
).
As Chris says – it’s a game of ones – you’re looking for an increase in reps or weight of “1″ each week, not 50% as in the running example.
It’s just hard in week 2 to see the end.
Last night was the celebrations following the successful completion of the “cutting plan”. Chris’ Coven all went out for a fantastic night of sushi (and tofu). It was a great way to catch up and compare our experiences, as well as share which direction we are all going in now.
We hadn’t planned all to so the cutting plan together, but it just worked out that way. Now we’re going our separate ways training wise, but I think the bond will stay. I know I’m going to need the same support I got from them now as I train for Strength, as well as study for my PT qualification. Hopefully I’ll be there for them as well when they need support.
Thanks Chris for a fantastic night and great team building!
In terms of what we were celebrating – a few personal pics for vanity’s sake – Go on, indulge me!
It may not look like much, but to me it is a huge achievement and a long way from ‘chubby boy with skinny arms’.
Muscle Fatigue at the moment is not the onset of DOMS but the onset of having to know my hip flexor from my iliopsoas ( ), and all other muscles ready for a mock test next weekend, I think. And thus begins my course. A first weekend of heavy theory, but it has to start that way I guess. We did do some practical on the Sunday, but it was mainly being shown how to use machines. Again, it has to be learned before we can teach others.
The good news is we get free use of the gym and sauna/ steam room!
