Sunday, 8 May 2011

Life is not fair sometimes

So I walk into the garage this morning to take the rubbish to the bins. I notice something missing, something missing in the shape of a prowler, kettlebells and weight plates. Some peice of shit scumbag has broken in and stolen them. Awesome, great way to start a Sunday. I am gutted to say the least, a lot of money down the drain, and their aint much that I can do about it.

Blaine

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Health Supplements????

Health issues in the world are at an all time high, with the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in particular climbing in recent years.
With these diseases sky-rocketing out of control, the “health and fitness professionals” surely should be providing countless information with regards diet/nutrition, exercise and lifestyle among other factors. Instead these so called “professionals” are using these health concerns to manipulate the fearful public into splashing the cash on needless supplements.
With these interests in mind, the manipulative professionals are surely creating more health concern long-term. With a kitchen cupboard full green tasteless that resembles rabbit food, tubs, jars and packets of the “must haves for ultimate health”, how can a member of the general public start, keep to and prolong such diets? This will clearly end in stress and serious binge eating that will leave people in a worse position than before they started.
With all the knowledge in the world, why can these guys not save all their technical bullshit and expensive supplements, and share a little “helpful” knowledge. Most of the bullshit is based on crap that is untrue just to sell supplements. The average health punter cannot start and maintain a diet that has changed over 50% of content; it will lead to breaks, cheats and failure.
Dr. John Berardi recently had a client with high blood pressure and blood sugar. A 58-yr-old male, fasting blood sugar 123mg/dL and his blood pressure was 138/89. Berardi did not make the man spend hundreds of pounds on supplements, but what he did do was manipulate the man’s current diet and physical activity with four simple goals:
·        Goal 1 – Breakfast
Switch from Frosted Flakes instead of Shredded Wheat
Instead of sausage, have fruit.
·        Goal 2 – Dinner
Replace half of the fatty animal protein with veggies.
·        Goal 3 – Most Days
Instead of four alcoholic drinks, have one.
·        Goal 4 – Most days
Do something physically active for at least 20 minutes.
After three months’ time, his weight was down further than 10lbs, his blood pressure fell to 120/80 and his blood sugar was sitting at 83 mg/dL. With patience, persistence and little changes this man became a lot healthier. Would this guy have succeeded with a strict supplement and diet protocol?? It is very questionable.
Recently I listened to a webinar surrounding nutrition and supplementation from a well known strength, conditioning, nutrition and supplementation specialist. I highly respect the guy as a coach, a nutritionist and as a major researcher in this industry. During the webinar I lost some respect for this individual. Major topics of conversation usually ended with a recommendation to one of their own supplements, sometimes sounding like they would perform miracles. When questioned around health for a cancer patient, a supplement was suggested to help “prevent” and “cure” cancer. This is ludacris.
Another topic was that surrounding Vitamin C. The individual suggested take the supplement, and this there were “NO” repercussions of over supplementation. Let’s have a look at what over-consumption can cause:
·        Excess Vitamin C can cause diarrhea, increased oxidative stress, excess iron absorption and a vitamin B12 deficiency.
·        Excess iron can cause chronic increases in risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
·        A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurological problems, pernicious anemia, celiac disease and sprue can lead to malabsorption.
The individual didn’t happen to point out these issues. (I posted this information about the Vitamin C topic on a social network, and the individual in question had a go at me, and quickly removed me as a friend on this site. Did they know they were wrong? Probably, or just ignorance)
Inlight of all of this, I think the health supplement industry is a money making sham, and that small manipulations in exercise, diet and lifestyle can have a more positive effect on overall health than a shelve full of expensive supplements from a money grabbing, bullshitting salesman.

Friday, 4 February 2011

Against the wind!

Hi all,

How windy is it? High gales!! These did not help poor David tonight in his attempt to hijack the prowler. David joined us for a short session where rest periods were few and far between! It went as follows:

A thorough warm up

2 x 60m prowler sprints
10seconds rest
2 x 40m prowler sprints 5kg
10seconds rest
2 x 20m prowler sprints 10kg
10seconds rest
3 x 10m prowler sprints 15kg

1 minute rest

2 x 10m prowler sprints 20kg
10seconds rest
2 x 40m prowler sprints 25kg
10seconds rest
2 x 60m prowler sprints 30kg

Followed by a 100m racked KB carry.

Well done to David who did an amazing job showing great anaerobic endurance and commitment!!

Hope to see you all again soon!

Blaine

Monday, 31 January 2011

Speed Kills!!

Hi all,

Tonight we welcomed new face David, who was joined on this chilly evening my resident Mark.

Tonight the guys went through intensive coaching on the bodyweight squat, KB swing and the KB squat.
Both guys were technically magnificent and picked up on the coaching points fairly quickly.

Next the guys learned how to accelerate out of the blocks, the technique required and the body position required throughout. This led us into  a 10 yard and 40 yard timed sprints.

10 yard sprint times were:

David: 2.07 seconds
Mark: 2.03 seconds
Blaine: 1.60 seconds

40 yard sprint times where:


David: 5.65 seconds
Mark: 6.00 seconds
Blaine: 5.25 seconds

This was followed by a 10 yard, 20kg prowler push, with the aim to increase sprint time through power development. Times were:

David: 3.28 seconds
Mark: 3.65 seconds
Blaine: 3.29 seconds

With this in mind we did the following workout:

10 yard 20kg prowler sprint
10 yard sprint
10 rounds with one minute rest between.

Each of the guys performed really well, and there is a lot of room for development that we must strive for guys.

Without feeling to fatigued the guys took on this kettlebell finisher. This finisher was developed to practise the before learned skills.

10 KB swings
10 KB goblet squats
5 rounds for time

David: 4 minutes 34 seconds
Mark: 9 minutes 4 seconds
Blaine: 2 minutes 27 seconds

Brilliant effort all around guys. Next workout will all be different and we hope to see you again!

Sunday, 30 January 2011

Sorry all

Hi all,

Due to an altercation I had to fly back to Ireland for the week.

All that aside, sessions will begin tomorrow 31st of Janurary again.

Whether you want to lose fat, increase strength, increase speed, increase agility, increase endurance, increase aerobic fitness, then come down and train.

Let me know if you are interested. Tomorrow's session should be fun.

Blaine
07917698552

Friday, 21 January 2011

Double Kettlebell Burner

Hi all,

Just came home from work and fancied a quick burner, so after a warm up I set aside two 16kg kettlebells and did the following.

5 double swings
5 double snatches
5 double overhead squats
5 rounds

4mins 50secs

TRX core circuit.

Conditioning is steadily increasing. Overhead squats really addressed my shoulder issue, which may help in the long run.

Anyone interested in a group/individual session to learn more about kettlebells, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks
Blaine

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

First Prowler Flu Victim

Hi all,

Today's session has just finished, and I can confirm that it was a cracker!! Marc, Mark and Pete joined us again for this epic encounter. 44 Osborne Avenue is ruling the roost at the moment. Today's session included:

A detailed warm up emphasising hip flexor and glute movements.

40m prowler push x 2
40m prowler push 20kg x 2
40m prowler push 40kg x 2
40m prowler push 60kg x 2


40m sled pull 20kg x 1 
40m sled pull 40kg x 1 
40m sled pull 60kg x 1

40m sled drag 20kg x 1 
40m sled drag 40kg x 1 
40m sled drag 60kg x 1 


Cool Down.

Magnificent work lads. Towards the weekend we will go into a few kettlebell techniques and workouts!!

Well Done
Blaine