Great Uncle Harry ended up being an inspiration again today. You remember him? 92 (yep he's had a birthday since Gym Ninja last mentioned him) and keeps himself active by twice daily completing a 3 mile walk up the Malvern Hills and also daily calisthenic exercises he learned when in the Army.
Well Gym Ninja had a few clients to train today and rocked up to the private studio half an hour early to find two maintenance men and a male cleaner in the gym. Gym Ninja had met the maintenance men before as she'd found an air bubble in the flooring and this had then entailed them ripping up half the studio floor to fix it! The male cleaner was introduced to Gym Ninja-let us call him Dave.
"You should come and train with me one day" Suggested Gym Ninja to Dave.
Dave screwed his face up and shook his head, before explaining that gyms weren't his 'scene'.
"My brother does that and he's a triangle shape" He said, referring to the V Taper that often shows on a male physique. "I don't like that!"
Gym Ninja then decided to explain to Dave about training styles and how there are different ways of training for different shapes. Gym Ninja then used the European Athletics as an illustration...
"See the shape of the shot putter? And the marathon runner and the sprinter? They all have different physiques and they all train differently to suit their sport. So you can choose how to train to reflect how you look."
Dave nodded.
"Is there nothing you enjoy outside of the gym? You don't HAVE To exercise inside a gym you know." Continued Gym Ninja.
Dave thought & then said "Boxing".
"I did boxing a few times when I was thinner and some guy who was a pro boxer saw me and said that I had potential. That affected me as nobody has ever said I had potential before but I never tried it again. I'm too old now".
He gave a wry smile.
"You should do it!" Said Gym Ninja enthusiastically. "Look, feeling how you do isn't an inevitable part of aging, it's down to use. If you had a car and left it parked up for years then it'd struggle to start and have all sorts of running issues. If you drove it daily it'd run fine. The body is the same. If you rest, you rust!"
Then followed Gym Ninja's story about Great Uncle Harry being 92 and very active and sprightly due to his 6 miles a day hill walks. Dave stood there, open mouthed.
Then, he said something that even Gym Ninja hadn't anticipated.
"That's it! I WILL do boxing again! I know I don't know your Great Uncle but I want to be like him. Thank yoU SO much for that. I'm going to start boxing again" And with that, off he went, a big smile on his face.
HOW amazing is that?
It is THAT buzz when you see a person get fired up about being active that makes it exciting for a PT. That is why Personal Trainers help people. Knowing the adventure that is about to begin and how positive that person will soon feel makes it just as exciting for the Personal Trainer as it is for the individual.
Gym Ninja will keep you all informed about Dave....
Gym Ninja x
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Saturday Slaughter
Ahh yep, blogging the same day it actually happened. Wow!
Today is Saturday and today was Saturday Slaughter Session time. Now Gym Ninja had yet another late night due to nothing other than general 'faffing' so had to drag herself out of bed today. She was also hoping that her mahooosive order from Maximuscle would arrive seeing as it hadn't done yesterday? By mahoosive Gym Ninja means 3 tubs of Promax (some with the special offer of 20% extra free...check out THIS LINK if you are interested in that as it is also on selected flavours of Promax, Promax Extreme & Promax Diet), a box of Promax Crisp bars which are fab if you want a guilt-free sweet snack yet have some protein too (good with a nice hot cuppa by the way!) and a tub of Promax Diet. They are doing some good offers at the moment so go check out the links and see what else they have offers on as they do tend to change all the time?
No sign.
Pah.
But a Slaughter Session waits for no Ninja, so out of the house galloped GN, with barely enough time to neck a Diet Emerge Energy Drink (still an absolute bargain at 25p per can of chemical fizziness ) before arriving at the gym. It was quieter than usual. Maybe down to the fact that the schools have now broken up and all the parents are out entertaining their bored children?
As there was a Y in the day, this meant NO air con was on at the gym. Maybe those huge air con panels on the wall are merely 'Representative Art Installations'? Anyhow, Gym Ninja found herself warming up on a treadmill next to Clippy who was currently doing her standard 10% incline, leaning back holding on type walk. A girl walked past, a huge fake flower the size of a side-plate clipped onto her head. Remarkable. Lycra and clip-in hair ornaments. Uhh, the warm up was hard work. Last week's boundless energy seems a distant memory. But up the stairs to the Spin Studio climbed Gym Ninja, and took up her place on her 'usual' bike.
Dangly immediately scolded Gym Ninja.
"Where were you AGAIN last week? You said you'd come in Sunday! I looked a right muppet as I put me towel on yer spin bike to save it for you and I had to move it to let someone else sit there!"
Dangly had pain and hurt in his eyes.....
"Yeh sorry about that but I slept in." Confessed Gym Ninja. "Er, I'm not going to be here tomorrow either as I've a client to train".
Dangly looked as if he were about to explode.
"OK so that will be THREE Sunday Spin Sessions in a row you'll have missed. That's IT! You're getting a warning!"
At this, he waggled his finger. Gym Ninja gave him a 'look'.
The class began, and it was then immediately apparent that Gym Ninja's usual bike had been wrecked when she was not here last time. She had a floppy pedal!!!!! Well, OK so the pedal strap didn't work. Every time it was tightened, it'd just then slowly loosen until Gym Ninja's left foot was left flailing around like it was made of rubber. After 10 minutes Gym Ninja abandoned the bike and moved to a fresh one.
The room was BOILING hot! The air con wasn't even blowing warm like it usually does. It wasn't blowing at all and even the Instructor who sits on a bike that has arctic air con streams blowing over her at all times was now sweating like a pig too. Great. Feeling tired and now the unbearable 'spin in a sauna environment' for the next hour. Joy! But what can Gym Ninja do when she's shut in a baking hot sauna style room but sweat like a pig and soldier on?
At the back of Gym Ninja's mind (and head) was the thought 'what about my hair?'
No, this was not Gym Ninja being vain. No. Last night Gym Ninja was bored so had whacked on a brown/black colour hair dye on, and as any girl knows, that first rinse is never quite enough to
a) Remove all of the dye
b) Remove that post-hair dye smell.
So what was the worry about the hair? Well anyone who has seen Gym Ninja post-spin will notice it appears she has dunked her head under water for an hour. So....what if the left-over hair dye that never quite comes off after that first wash decides that NOW is the time to start streaking it's way down Gym Ninja's face and neck? Great. Would Gym Ninja emerge from Spin as the missing member of Kiss? GN could certainly smell the hair dye....the heat and the sweat was encouraging it to run free...
EVENTUALLY (!) the hour was up and the cool down commenced. By this point Gym Ninja's sweat towel was sodden and had no absorbency left. Then the lights went up and......
PHEW!
Kiss did NOT have a new member. Admittedly Gym Ninja again appeared to look post-swim, however there were no black streaks snaking their way across the delts.
With that, Gym Ninja squelched out of the spin studio, nipped to the changing area to dry off and then finished up with some weights work and abs. Gym Ninja really wanted to hit the Hydropool today too as it's been way too long since her last venture into it, however she decided that it was tempting fate and it would be too hard to explain away a 'BP Oil Spill' type slick of black across the pool if her hair dye decided to finally run.
It is now a fair few hours later and still no sign of the Maximuscle Delivery. Pah!
Ah well, Gym Ninja possibly still has a few scrapings of powder at the bottom of her near-empty tub of Choc Chip protein...fingers crossed it arrives soon......
Toodle pip
Gym Ninja x
Today is Saturday and today was Saturday Slaughter Session time. Now Gym Ninja had yet another late night due to nothing other than general 'faffing' so had to drag herself out of bed today. She was also hoping that her mahooosive order from Maximuscle would arrive seeing as it hadn't done yesterday? By mahoosive Gym Ninja means 3 tubs of Promax (some with the special offer of 20% extra free...check out THIS LINK if you are interested in that as it is also on selected flavours of Promax, Promax Extreme & Promax Diet), a box of Promax Crisp bars which are fab if you want a guilt-free sweet snack yet have some protein too (good with a nice hot cuppa by the way!) and a tub of Promax Diet. They are doing some good offers at the moment so go check out the links and see what else they have offers on as they do tend to change all the time?
No sign.
Pah.
But a Slaughter Session waits for no Ninja, so out of the house galloped GN, with barely enough time to neck a Diet Emerge Energy Drink (still an absolute bargain at 25p per can of chemical fizziness ) before arriving at the gym. It was quieter than usual. Maybe down to the fact that the schools have now broken up and all the parents are out entertaining their bored children?
As there was a Y in the day, this meant NO air con was on at the gym. Maybe those huge air con panels on the wall are merely 'Representative Art Installations'? Anyhow, Gym Ninja found herself warming up on a treadmill next to Clippy who was currently doing her standard 10% incline, leaning back holding on type walk. A girl walked past, a huge fake flower the size of a side-plate clipped onto her head. Remarkable. Lycra and clip-in hair ornaments. Uhh, the warm up was hard work. Last week's boundless energy seems a distant memory. But up the stairs to the Spin Studio climbed Gym Ninja, and took up her place on her 'usual' bike.
Dangly immediately scolded Gym Ninja.
"Where were you AGAIN last week? You said you'd come in Sunday! I looked a right muppet as I put me towel on yer spin bike to save it for you and I had to move it to let someone else sit there!"
Dangly had pain and hurt in his eyes.....
"Yeh sorry about that but I slept in." Confessed Gym Ninja. "Er, I'm not going to be here tomorrow either as I've a client to train".
Dangly looked as if he were about to explode.
"OK so that will be THREE Sunday Spin Sessions in a row you'll have missed. That's IT! You're getting a warning!"
At this, he waggled his finger. Gym Ninja gave him a 'look'.
The class began, and it was then immediately apparent that Gym Ninja's usual bike had been wrecked when she was not here last time. She had a floppy pedal!!!!! Well, OK so the pedal strap didn't work. Every time it was tightened, it'd just then slowly loosen until Gym Ninja's left foot was left flailing around like it was made of rubber. After 10 minutes Gym Ninja abandoned the bike and moved to a fresh one.
The room was BOILING hot! The air con wasn't even blowing warm like it usually does. It wasn't blowing at all and even the Instructor who sits on a bike that has arctic air con streams blowing over her at all times was now sweating like a pig too. Great. Feeling tired and now the unbearable 'spin in a sauna environment' for the next hour. Joy! But what can Gym Ninja do when she's shut in a baking hot sauna style room but sweat like a pig and soldier on?
At the back of Gym Ninja's mind (and head) was the thought 'what about my hair?'
No, this was not Gym Ninja being vain. No. Last night Gym Ninja was bored so had whacked on a brown/black colour hair dye on, and as any girl knows, that first rinse is never quite enough to
a) Remove all of the dye
b) Remove that post-hair dye smell.
So what was the worry about the hair? Well anyone who has seen Gym Ninja post-spin will notice it appears she has dunked her head under water for an hour. So....what if the left-over hair dye that never quite comes off after that first wash decides that NOW is the time to start streaking it's way down Gym Ninja's face and neck? Great. Would Gym Ninja emerge from Spin as the missing member of Kiss? GN could certainly smell the hair dye....the heat and the sweat was encouraging it to run free...
EVENTUALLY (!) the hour was up and the cool down commenced. By this point Gym Ninja's sweat towel was sodden and had no absorbency left. Then the lights went up and......
PHEW!
Kiss did NOT have a new member. Admittedly Gym Ninja again appeared to look post-swim, however there were no black streaks snaking their way across the delts.
With that, Gym Ninja squelched out of the spin studio, nipped to the changing area to dry off and then finished up with some weights work and abs. Gym Ninja really wanted to hit the Hydropool today too as it's been way too long since her last venture into it, however she decided that it was tempting fate and it would be too hard to explain away a 'BP Oil Spill' type slick of black across the pool if her hair dye decided to finally run.
It is now a fair few hours later and still no sign of the Maximuscle Delivery. Pah!
Ah well, Gym Ninja possibly still has a few scrapings of powder at the bottom of her near-empty tub of Choc Chip protein...fingers crossed it arrives soon......
Toodle pip
Gym Ninja x
Bits & Bobs
Can't think of what to name the blog post today so Gym Ninja has come up with a suitably vague meaningless one. Perhaps don't hold out too much hope for a corker today eh?
So, after the last rant of a blog post aka 'who rattled Gym Ninja's cage' fired off at 2.30am, Gym Ninja is now more stable and has recognised that for every friend who lets you down, there is one who steps up to the mark & then some. Just as well eh? Now, back to the gym.....
After the 'rant', Gym Ninja headed that day (admittedly only a few hours later) to the gym. Work off some of that annoyance really. Plus perhaps also to work off a jar of low fat peanut butter that 'may' have appeared in Gym Ninja's house, and within 12 hours left it, empty. That seems excessive no? Is it worse if Gym Ninja tells you that for 7 of those hours she was asleep too......? *burp*
As Gym Ninja walked towards the changing rooms a Personal Trainer was standing chatting to a tubby lady.
"I'm actually an iron lady myself !" Said the woman to the PT.
*cue peals of laughter from the Personal Trainer, his head thrown back like that cartoon head with the hinged jaw on that old toothbrush advert-you remember the one?*
Aww, there was no need for such an excessive guffaw now was there? That lady has feelings too. (Hmm, Gym Ninja is still a tad sensitive to things).
Gym Ninja started her gym session, warming up on the X Trainer. The gym was full to bursting with school kids. Older ones though, maybe 14-15 years old? All trying out the gym equipment, some in the aerobics studio doing circuits, & some crowding around the PowerPlate machine nervously as a friend stood jiggling on it. It was being taken to the gym as part of school PE lessons that actually sparked Gym Ninja's interest in it. Up until then she'd hated anything that encouraged her to sweat or move...... aww, maybe there is a fledgling Gym Ninja amongst the group of slightly p*ssed off looking teenagers?
Despite having no apparent trace of air con on, Gym Ninja found her cruising speed for running increased to 12kph. Not bad on 2 teaspoons of sleep and an audience of a billion teenagers eh? The teen on the next treadmill kept peeking at Gym Ninja's speed dial, then looking at her own, getting all panicky and gripping the treadmill harder. Gym Ninja was just showing off really. Must be the peanut butter fuelling the run? After all, peanuts are an ingredient in dynamite donchaknow.
OK..so now Gym Ninja will wait whilst all you dis-believers google that fact and then return, raising your eyebrows, nodding your head and muttering 'She's right you know, they are!'.......
After a dynamite start (do you see what GN did there?), the session went somewhat downhill. Gym Ninja made the error of listening to the backlog of Scott Mills Daily Podcasts (off of Radio One as he would say) & if any of you heard the 'Unlucky Gary' stories then you'd appreciate why this was a mistake? Gym Ninja suffered from a nasty case of 'Snigger Gurning' Now Snigger Gurning is rather embarrassing and usually is triggered by listening to something highly amusing on your iPod in a crowded area. You then have an uncontrollable urge to guffaw out loud yet you cannot, for fear of being one of those people that others cross the road to avoid. So you try and suppress it. The laugh cannot be surpressed though. It starts to burst through your cheeks. You tighten your lips and start to gurn as the laugh fills the cheek cavities and then spreads to the space between your gum and lips. When it gets here you are DOOMED! Full blown gurning, sometimes accompanied by squeaky grunt-based noises. Pfft!
Now it was a leg training session so Gym Ninja had to then sweat like a pig as she worked her lower body. All without air con and now, also adding to the 'drama', was a scent of cow fields filling the gym. Seriously, sort out the air con system as something REALLY isn't right! After the leg workout, ab crucifixion and cool down, Gym Ninja staggered towards the spiral staircase. This was a short cut downstairs straight into the changing rooms and would remove the need for Gym Ninja to stagger down the main staircase, which due to the leg wobbliness, meant that she'd have to grab the metal handrail and suffer the compulsory electric shock.
OK...so spiral staircases are NOT good at the best of times, yet after a leg session? It did not help matters either that GN managed to get her right foot wedged in between the gap near the narrow part of it. There is nothing quite so panicky as being jammed in a spiral staircase inside a gym that has reached a temperature of a billion degrees Fahrenheit and that is scented by cow sh&t.
Quelling her rising panic, Gym Ninja managed to release her foot and make it safety inside the changing rooms where she unloaded her locker, showered, and then put her handbag on the bench as she got changed. Two OAPS came into the same part of the changing areas as Gym Ninja dressed, and sat down on the bench.
Crap!
One of them was half sitting on Gym Ninja's handbag. Now what? The OAPs were deep in conversation about the husband of one of their daughters...
"He doesn't even load the dishwasher apparently.." Said the OAP hatching Gym Ninja's handbag...
Gym Ninja started to fret. She had a Maximuscle Promax Diet bar in her bag. What if the OAP was sitting on it? Her weight, combined with her body heat would start to mangle the bar. Would Gym Ninja really then want to eat a bottom-warmed Promax Diet bar????
Hmm.....
HELL YEH!
The final humiliation of that particular session was the evil incarnate that is the body lotion bottle in a public place. Now body lotion bottles behave 99% of the time when you are at home. The MOMENT you take them public, they misbehave. Gym Ninja suffered the orgasmic body lotion effect (where it erupts suddenly all over your boobs) and also the 'dodgy tummy effect' where it mimics a case of really bad wind. Great. On the bright side though the body lotion dodgy noise soon shifted the OAP off Gym Ninja's handbag........
That's all for today. Gym Ninja is spoiling you. Now go about your business and be sure to pass on the peanut fact eh?
Gym Ninja x
So, after the last rant of a blog post aka 'who rattled Gym Ninja's cage' fired off at 2.30am, Gym Ninja is now more stable and has recognised that for every friend who lets you down, there is one who steps up to the mark & then some. Just as well eh? Now, back to the gym.....
After the 'rant', Gym Ninja headed that day (admittedly only a few hours later) to the gym. Work off some of that annoyance really. Plus perhaps also to work off a jar of low fat peanut butter that 'may' have appeared in Gym Ninja's house, and within 12 hours left it, empty. That seems excessive no? Is it worse if Gym Ninja tells you that for 7 of those hours she was asleep too......? *burp*
As Gym Ninja walked towards the changing rooms a Personal Trainer was standing chatting to a tubby lady.
"I'm actually an iron lady myself !" Said the woman to the PT.
*cue peals of laughter from the Personal Trainer, his head thrown back like that cartoon head with the hinged jaw on that old toothbrush advert-you remember the one?*
Aww, there was no need for such an excessive guffaw now was there? That lady has feelings too. (Hmm, Gym Ninja is still a tad sensitive to things).
Gym Ninja started her gym session, warming up on the X Trainer. The gym was full to bursting with school kids. Older ones though, maybe 14-15 years old? All trying out the gym equipment, some in the aerobics studio doing circuits, & some crowding around the PowerPlate machine nervously as a friend stood jiggling on it. It was being taken to the gym as part of school PE lessons that actually sparked Gym Ninja's interest in it. Up until then she'd hated anything that encouraged her to sweat or move...... aww, maybe there is a fledgling Gym Ninja amongst the group of slightly p*ssed off looking teenagers?
Despite having no apparent trace of air con on, Gym Ninja found her cruising speed for running increased to 12kph. Not bad on 2 teaspoons of sleep and an audience of a billion teenagers eh? The teen on the next treadmill kept peeking at Gym Ninja's speed dial, then looking at her own, getting all panicky and gripping the treadmill harder. Gym Ninja was just showing off really. Must be the peanut butter fuelling the run? After all, peanuts are an ingredient in dynamite donchaknow.
OK..so now Gym Ninja will wait whilst all you dis-believers google that fact and then return, raising your eyebrows, nodding your head and muttering 'She's right you know, they are!'.......
After a dynamite start (do you see what GN did there?), the session went somewhat downhill. Gym Ninja made the error of listening to the backlog of Scott Mills Daily Podcasts (off of Radio One as he would say) & if any of you heard the 'Unlucky Gary' stories then you'd appreciate why this was a mistake? Gym Ninja suffered from a nasty case of 'Snigger Gurning' Now Snigger Gurning is rather embarrassing and usually is triggered by listening to something highly amusing on your iPod in a crowded area. You then have an uncontrollable urge to guffaw out loud yet you cannot, for fear of being one of those people that others cross the road to avoid. So you try and suppress it. The laugh cannot be surpressed though. It starts to burst through your cheeks. You tighten your lips and start to gurn as the laugh fills the cheek cavities and then spreads to the space between your gum and lips. When it gets here you are DOOMED! Full blown gurning, sometimes accompanied by squeaky grunt-based noises. Pfft!
Now it was a leg training session so Gym Ninja had to then sweat like a pig as she worked her lower body. All without air con and now, also adding to the 'drama', was a scent of cow fields filling the gym. Seriously, sort out the air con system as something REALLY isn't right! After the leg workout, ab crucifixion and cool down, Gym Ninja staggered towards the spiral staircase. This was a short cut downstairs straight into the changing rooms and would remove the need for Gym Ninja to stagger down the main staircase, which due to the leg wobbliness, meant that she'd have to grab the metal handrail and suffer the compulsory electric shock.
OK...so spiral staircases are NOT good at the best of times, yet after a leg session? It did not help matters either that GN managed to get her right foot wedged in between the gap near the narrow part of it. There is nothing quite so panicky as being jammed in a spiral staircase inside a gym that has reached a temperature of a billion degrees Fahrenheit and that is scented by cow sh&t.
Quelling her rising panic, Gym Ninja managed to release her foot and make it safety inside the changing rooms where she unloaded her locker, showered, and then put her handbag on the bench as she got changed. Two OAPS came into the same part of the changing areas as Gym Ninja dressed, and sat down on the bench.
Crap!
One of them was half sitting on Gym Ninja's handbag. Now what? The OAPs were deep in conversation about the husband of one of their daughters...
"He doesn't even load the dishwasher apparently.." Said the OAP hatching Gym Ninja's handbag...
Gym Ninja started to fret. She had a Maximuscle Promax Diet bar in her bag. What if the OAP was sitting on it? Her weight, combined with her body heat would start to mangle the bar. Would Gym Ninja really then want to eat a bottom-warmed Promax Diet bar????
Hmm.....
HELL YEH!
The final humiliation of that particular session was the evil incarnate that is the body lotion bottle in a public place. Now body lotion bottles behave 99% of the time when you are at home. The MOMENT you take them public, they misbehave. Gym Ninja suffered the orgasmic body lotion effect (where it erupts suddenly all over your boobs) and also the 'dodgy tummy effect' where it mimics a case of really bad wind. Great. On the bright side though the body lotion dodgy noise soon shifted the OAP off Gym Ninja's handbag........
That's all for today. Gym Ninja is spoiling you. Now go about your business and be sure to pass on the peanut fact eh?
Gym Ninja x
Thursday, 22 July 2010
The Helpful Saboteur
There are millions of people out there who take an interest in health, fitness & nutrition. MILLIONS...
Those people who are wanting to stay healthy and strong.
Those who have a goal such as a wedding or holiday to reach.
The people who have had a bit of a kick up the arse when it comes to their health & have been scared into looking after themselves.
Those to whom it is second nature as they've always lived like that.
Don't forget the people who's jobs require a certain standard of fitness, such as the Emergency Services, Athletes, Fitness Instructors.
Hell, what about the people who actually 'enjoy' exercise for the sake of it? Freaky huh?
MILLIONS!
Think on though;....are all of these people educated to the same level in what they know?
Nah.
Not a chance.
Even those of us who have studied for Professional Industry-Recognized Fitness Qualifications all have varying levels of knowledge, expertise and skills. That's just how it works. Fact. You gain a qualification and the learning carries on...forever! Not just in health & fitness, but in all sectors. For instance, not all Medical Professionals have the same knowledge as each other & us 'non-medical folk' can claim to know a few things when it comes to illness, injury and the like too can't we? See how it works? Amateur level and Professional level and varying degrees of knowledge throughout. It's a fantastic thing. You don't need to have the desire to take it to a professional level or make it your career to be knowledgeable and passionate. If you love it, educate yourself and enjoy!
What I DO find hard to understand is the Helpful Saboteur.
There is a handful of people who have come to the surface now that I have obtained Professional Qualifications & am carving a career out of being a Personal Trainer. These people have an interest in health, fitness and nutrition. They enjoy it. They have seen 'great' results and get a real buzz from what they do and it goes without saying that they LOVE To talk about it. Well you do, don't you. when you enjoy something? So how is this making them a Saboteur? What are they sabotaging exactly?
Other people's fitness results.
Yep. Funny eh? They are so into health and fitness and yet they appear to want to stand in the way of someone looking to take their first steps into a healthy lifestyle (or return to it). How so?
I get asked on here a fair bit from people when it comes to questions about what they should eat, what exercises should they do, how can they reach this goal, how should they avoid that result, is there anything they can do to get rid of this....and so on. This is great. Questions mean they are interested. I'm happy to share my knowledge, such that it is. I'm always reading more, and educating myself continually so I'll always hopefully add to the value of what I can advise. If it helps them then great. I'm not going to with hold information or insist that they pay for my advice. I'm happy to share and help and encourage.
Sometimes, they decide that they like what they hear from me, yet decide that they need someone to help them achieve it. So they start to enquire about hiring me. How much will it cost? What does it entail exactly? Can I help them? RIGHT! Listen up! Now at THIS stage, I am seeing that handful of people I mentioned earlier, pop up. Not always directly and obviously...not all the time. Sometimes it's behind the scenes. But they appear, and they start to throw in their bit of knowledge and they start to try and lead that interested person away. They have a bit of knowledge and it's useful. It worked for them.
"Yeh I do this, and I train like this, and I eat this", They say.
"Of course I do it in moderation-no need to go crazy! It's all about balance you see!". That last statement is pretty much always targeted at me. Apparently I do not do this in moderation, nor do I balance it out.
This is then usually followed by a breakdown of what they do themselves, how they train, when they train, and how simply amazing what they do is. They then suggest to the aforementioned inquisitive person, that instead of hiring me, a 'professional', to help them on the road to correct and solid training that can give them a great start to fitness (after all, I've been trained to know exactly how to get results in the fastest, safest way and am STILL learning), that they don't bother, and instead just 'take their advice' and do it on their own.
*cue another list of tips/recipes/exercise plans from the Helpful Saboteur.....*
OK.
Here's the 'deal'. What worked for you worked for YOU. You have a certain medical history, lifestyle, stress and sleep patterns, commitments, likes & dislikes and so on. It's worked, and you saw results. Yeh, you say you don't want to go crazy and get obsessed. No need for that you say! Hmm sometimes I wonder if this is this in a way to justify to others and yourself that you do not look particularly in shape or fit? Hey, overweight people can be fit too right?
Yes they can. There are levels of fitness ad you choose the level you strive for.
No, no, you are not obsessed or vain or any of those 'adjectives' you throw towards me, are you? Nah. So if the person just does what you say then they too can look just like you.....no need to waste money on a luxury like a Personal Trainer is there?
Stop.
A Personal Trainer MAY seem like a luxury to you, but think on. Is it?
A Personal Trainer can be hired as and when or for a specific time period, in order to help someone reach their fitness and health goals. They are paid for their knowledge, expertise, and experience that they bring to YOU as a client. There isn't one programme suits all. There really isn't! Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. They store fat in different areas, have injuries, have weaknesses and muscle imbalances, food intolerances, time constraints and so on. The Personal Trainer can offer a BESPOKE programme that works for the person as an individual taking ALL of this into account. It's not the workout 'plan' you've been following half-heartedly out of a magazine for the last 2 years, but an up to the minute, researched, proven way of mixing up fitness and nutrition with lifestyle guidance and corrective exercises to help the client. It's periodized, and designed to keep the results coming as the body strives to adapt. You may want to follow your own programme and that's great and fine and dandy for you, but are you really in a position to start prescribing stuff for someone else who has decided they require advice so that they can do it right this time?
Let's go back to you. You're not a professional. Neither was I, yet I too gave out advice. Sure I did! I loved giving out advice! What I DIDN'T do, and this is the whole reason for this post, is try andSTOP someone who may be considering hiring a professional. I'd give advice when asked, and then if they wanted to hire someone then sure, why not? I'd not go out of my WAY to talk them out of it, saying it was a waste of money or that they didn't need it and why didn't they just do as I did? Yet you do this? A few of you religiously do this and I see it over and over again and I wonder why?
You've not changed your programme for ages have you? In fact, you've not seen decent results since that initial weight loss you talk about really. You're just maintaining...you say you don't want to 'take it to the extreme' or 'get all unfeminine and muscly' or 'become obsessed and no fun'. You say that you are 'far too busy' sto spend hours in the gym like me. All comments that have been thrown at me as if some sort of horrendous slur. Well listen up! I don't train daily. I don't spend hours in the gym. I am the master of a powerful yet short workout. It works, because I know what I am doing, how to do it and how to accommodate my own imbalances/imperfections/g
Nah, You don't want muscle do you? But you really don't need to tell me that as it is clear by the soft shape of your body, that is now simply a smaller version of the shape you were when you first started on your self-created workout regime....You started off pear shaped and a size what? You're now 3 sizes smaller-yippee....but you know what? You're still that pear! Muscle isn't bodybuilding. It's strength and what gets you out of that armchair when you are 80. It's not vanity. It's essential.
Going back to the Medical professional reference earlier.....what if the same person speaks to you & says they are about to consult a Doctor because of certain symptoms that are causing them pain.? Do you then chuck in YOUR experience and prescribe medication to them to save them the luxury of consulting a doctor???? After all, you had something 'similar' once didn't you? Maybe you can give them your old meds? It worked for you!
Let's look another way...maybe you have some knowledge on electrics and wiring? You fitted that plug on that toaster. Your friend was considering hiring an electrician to re-wire the first floor of their home but no, you stop them. Don't be wasting your money on a luxury like an electrician when YOU can show them how it's done...
Are you seeing it yet? Are you maybe one of those Helpful Saboteurs? Offering advice in a well-meaning way to help your friend? Yet by doing so, you're not helping them, are you? If they decide to take your advice rather than hire a professional, then what will they get? Well, who knows? At best maybe fitness and health like yours? At best. At worst, injury, further muscular imbalances, or even just a waste of their time. You yourself didn't want to go crazy did you? You set your goal to 'average'. ..... apparently...
Yet you didn't. I don't buy it! Nobody sets out on a fitness regime to become average looking. Nobody wants to get in shape for others to not really notice that they are now far fitter and healthier. No it's not always about aesthetics, but if you were 'warned' that following a Professional workout and lifestyle programme to help improve your health had a side effect of giving you a better physique aesthetically, would you stomp off ina huff and refuse to begin because all you care about is how healthy you are and you don't want any of this 'better body' malarkey as it's just vain... REALLY?
A Personal Trainer is not a luxury. A 'luxury' would be that bottle of wine you buy yourself on a Friday night and drink whilst eating takeaway. A 'luxury' would be that big bowl of ice cream you rewarded yourself with because you went for a 15 minute run 5 days ago. You find the money for that don't you? But if you knew what those rewards an treats that mean you're not taking it to the extreme were actually doing to your body, would you still have them? You don't really know do you, and therein lies the difference between myself and you. Additional knowledge-something I CAN offer the paying client.
A Personal Trainer is sometimes EXACTLY what a person needs. If you see that they are interested in it, and are asking me questions, then WHY are you trying to stop them? Do you think I am some sort of lycra version of Dick Turpin, ready to rob them blind? Do you think they are wasting their money as I cannot offer them anything they can't 'find out' for themselves? Really? Do you not just need to look inside a gym at all of those people following their own workouts and work out a percentage of them who actually have the body that shows they know? The body that is changing constantly? That every month they can see measurable improvement and results from what they do? Those people are a minority. Yes there are those who see increased endurance and fitness. Those who see signs of body sculpting and fat reduction. But the majority do not. If it were THAT easy to work it all out and self-design a programme then that gym would be FULL Of Gods and Goddesses!!!!!
So, next time you find yourself hell-bent on stopping someone hire myself or another fitness professional then perhaps stop before you start? Share your knowledge by all means, as we all learn from each other, but do not stand in their way or go out of YOUR way to prevent them hiring a professional. If its truly not for them then trust me, they won't hire me. I'm happy to give free advice. But having read this, maybe see if this is you? Perhaps you don't even realise you are doing it? Yet you are. It is 4 of you. I100% guarantee it is 4 of you and you've all done it on more than one occasion.
Thanks for listening.......it needed to be said.
Those people who are wanting to stay healthy and strong.
Those who have a goal such as a wedding or holiday to reach.
The people who have had a bit of a kick up the arse when it comes to their health & have been scared into looking after themselves.
Those to whom it is second nature as they've always lived like that.
Don't forget the people who's jobs require a certain standard of fitness, such as the Emergency Services, Athletes, Fitness Instructors.
Hell, what about the people who actually 'enjoy' exercise for the sake of it? Freaky huh?
MILLIONS!
Think on though;....are all of these people educated to the same level in what they know?
Nah.
Not a chance.
Even those of us who have studied for Professional Industry-Recognized Fitness Qualifications all have varying levels of knowledge, expertise and skills. That's just how it works. Fact. You gain a qualification and the learning carries on...forever! Not just in health & fitness, but in all sectors. For instance, not all Medical Professionals have the same knowledge as each other & us 'non-medical folk' can claim to know a few things when it comes to illness, injury and the like too can't we? See how it works? Amateur level and Professional level and varying degrees of knowledge throughout. It's a fantastic thing. You don't need to have the desire to take it to a professional level or make it your career to be knowledgeable and passionate. If you love it, educate yourself and enjoy!
What I DO find hard to understand is the Helpful Saboteur.
There is a handful of people who have come to the surface now that I have obtained Professional Qualifications & am carving a career out of being a Personal Trainer. These people have an interest in health, fitness and nutrition. They enjoy it. They have seen 'great' results and get a real buzz from what they do and it goes without saying that they LOVE To talk about it. Well you do, don't you. when you enjoy something? So how is this making them a Saboteur? What are they sabotaging exactly?
Other people's fitness results.
Yep. Funny eh? They are so into health and fitness and yet they appear to want to stand in the way of someone looking to take their first steps into a healthy lifestyle (or return to it). How so?
I get asked on here a fair bit from people when it comes to questions about what they should eat, what exercises should they do, how can they reach this goal, how should they avoid that result, is there anything they can do to get rid of this....and so on. This is great. Questions mean they are interested. I'm happy to share my knowledge, such that it is. I'm always reading more, and educating myself continually so I'll always hopefully add to the value of what I can advise. If it helps them then great. I'm not going to with hold information or insist that they pay for my advice. I'm happy to share and help and encourage.
Sometimes, they decide that they like what they hear from me, yet decide that they need someone to help them achieve it. So they start to enquire about hiring me. How much will it cost? What does it entail exactly? Can I help them? RIGHT! Listen up! Now at THIS stage, I am seeing that handful of people I mentioned earlier, pop up. Not always directly and obviously...not all the time. Sometimes it's behind the scenes. But they appear, and they start to throw in their bit of knowledge and they start to try and lead that interested person away. They have a bit of knowledge and it's useful. It worked for them.
"Yeh I do this, and I train like this, and I eat this", They say.
"Of course I do it in moderation-no need to go crazy! It's all about balance you see!". That last statement is pretty much always targeted at me. Apparently I do not do this in moderation, nor do I balance it out.
This is then usually followed by a breakdown of what they do themselves, how they train, when they train, and how simply amazing what they do is. They then suggest to the aforementioned inquisitive person, that instead of hiring me, a 'professional', to help them on the road to correct and solid training that can give them a great start to fitness (after all, I've been trained to know exactly how to get results in the fastest, safest way and am STILL learning), that they don't bother, and instead just 'take their advice' and do it on their own.
*cue another list of tips/recipes/exercise plans from the Helpful Saboteur.....*
OK.
Here's the 'deal'. What worked for you worked for YOU. You have a certain medical history, lifestyle, stress and sleep patterns, commitments, likes & dislikes and so on. It's worked, and you saw results. Yeh, you say you don't want to go crazy and get obsessed. No need for that you say! Hmm sometimes I wonder if this is this in a way to justify to others and yourself that you do not look particularly in shape or fit? Hey, overweight people can be fit too right?
Yes they can. There are levels of fitness ad you choose the level you strive for.
No, no, you are not obsessed or vain or any of those 'adjectives' you throw towards me, are you? Nah. So if the person just does what you say then they too can look just like you.....no need to waste money on a luxury like a Personal Trainer is there?
Stop.
A Personal Trainer MAY seem like a luxury to you, but think on. Is it?
A Personal Trainer can be hired as and when or for a specific time period, in order to help someone reach their fitness and health goals. They are paid for their knowledge, expertise, and experience that they bring to YOU as a client. There isn't one programme suits all. There really isn't! Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. They store fat in different areas, have injuries, have weaknesses and muscle imbalances, food intolerances, time constraints and so on. The Personal Trainer can offer a BESPOKE programme that works for the person as an individual taking ALL of this into account. It's not the workout 'plan' you've been following half-heartedly out of a magazine for the last 2 years, but an up to the minute, researched, proven way of mixing up fitness and nutrition with lifestyle guidance and corrective exercises to help the client. It's periodized, and designed to keep the results coming as the body strives to adapt. You may want to follow your own programme and that's great and fine and dandy for you, but are you really in a position to start prescribing stuff for someone else who has decided they require advice so that they can do it right this time?
Let's go back to you. You're not a professional. Neither was I, yet I too gave out advice. Sure I did! I loved giving out advice! What I DIDN'T do, and this is the whole reason for this post, is try andSTOP someone who may be considering hiring a professional. I'd give advice when asked, and then if they wanted to hire someone then sure, why not? I'd not go out of my WAY to talk them out of it, saying it was a waste of money or that they didn't need it and why didn't they just do as I did? Yet you do this? A few of you religiously do this and I see it over and over again and I wonder why?
You've not changed your programme for ages have you? In fact, you've not seen decent results since that initial weight loss you talk about really. You're just maintaining...you say you don't want to 'take it to the extreme' or 'get all unfeminine and muscly' or 'become obsessed and no fun'. You say that you are 'far too busy' sto spend hours in the gym like me. All comments that have been thrown at me as if some sort of horrendous slur. Well listen up! I don't train daily. I don't spend hours in the gym. I am the master of a powerful yet short workout. It works, because I know what I am doing, how to do it and how to accommodate my own imbalances/imperfections/g
Nah, You don't want muscle do you? But you really don't need to tell me that as it is clear by the soft shape of your body, that is now simply a smaller version of the shape you were when you first started on your self-created workout regime....You started off pear shaped and a size what? You're now 3 sizes smaller-yippee....but you know what? You're still that pear! Muscle isn't bodybuilding. It's strength and what gets you out of that armchair when you are 80. It's not vanity. It's essential.
Going back to the Medical professional reference earlier.....what if the same person speaks to you & says they are about to consult a Doctor because of certain symptoms that are causing them pain.? Do you then chuck in YOUR experience and prescribe medication to them to save them the luxury of consulting a doctor???? After all, you had something 'similar' once didn't you? Maybe you can give them your old meds? It worked for you!
Let's look another way...maybe you have some knowledge on electrics and wiring? You fitted that plug on that toaster. Your friend was considering hiring an electrician to re-wire the first floor of their home but no, you stop them. Don't be wasting your money on a luxury like an electrician when YOU can show them how it's done...
Are you seeing it yet? Are you maybe one of those Helpful Saboteurs? Offering advice in a well-meaning way to help your friend? Yet by doing so, you're not helping them, are you? If they decide to take your advice rather than hire a professional, then what will they get? Well, who knows? At best maybe fitness and health like yours? At best. At worst, injury, further muscular imbalances, or even just a waste of their time. You yourself didn't want to go crazy did you? You set your goal to 'average'. ..... apparently...
Yet you didn't. I don't buy it! Nobody sets out on a fitness regime to become average looking. Nobody wants to get in shape for others to not really notice that they are now far fitter and healthier. No it's not always about aesthetics, but if you were 'warned' that following a Professional workout and lifestyle programme to help improve your health had a side effect of giving you a better physique aesthetically, would you stomp off ina huff and refuse to begin because all you care about is how healthy you are and you don't want any of this 'better body' malarkey as it's just vain... REALLY?
A Personal Trainer is not a luxury. A 'luxury' would be that bottle of wine you buy yourself on a Friday night and drink whilst eating takeaway. A 'luxury' would be that big bowl of ice cream you rewarded yourself with because you went for a 15 minute run 5 days ago. You find the money for that don't you? But if you knew what those rewards an treats that mean you're not taking it to the extreme were actually doing to your body, would you still have them? You don't really know do you, and therein lies the difference between myself and you. Additional knowledge-something I CAN offer the paying client.
A Personal Trainer is sometimes EXACTLY what a person needs. If you see that they are interested in it, and are asking me questions, then WHY are you trying to stop them? Do you think I am some sort of lycra version of Dick Turpin, ready to rob them blind? Do you think they are wasting their money as I cannot offer them anything they can't 'find out' for themselves? Really? Do you not just need to look inside a gym at all of those people following their own workouts and work out a percentage of them who actually have the body that shows they know? The body that is changing constantly? That every month they can see measurable improvement and results from what they do? Those people are a minority. Yes there are those who see increased endurance and fitness. Those who see signs of body sculpting and fat reduction. But the majority do not. If it were THAT easy to work it all out and self-design a programme then that gym would be FULL Of Gods and Goddesses!!!!!
So, next time you find yourself hell-bent on stopping someone hire myself or another fitness professional then perhaps stop before you start? Share your knowledge by all means, as we all learn from each other, but do not stand in their way or go out of YOUR way to prevent them hiring a professional. If its truly not for them then trust me, they won't hire me. I'm happy to give free advice. But having read this, maybe see if this is you? Perhaps you don't even realise you are doing it? Yet you are. It is 4 of you. I100% guarantee it is 4 of you and you've all done it on more than one occasion.
Thanks for listening.......it needed to be said.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
iNinja
Uhhr!
Gym Ninja is seriously out of the habit of a daily blog eh? Probably as she is still sorting out her new regular 'routine'.
So you can catch up, allow Gym Ninja to regale you with some past happenings since we last talked about her!
Gym Ninja has a dodgy iPhone. The 3GS is playing up something chronic and moreso since the new software update, to the point that the battery would rain by 50% within a couple of hours. Eeek! Do not drain Gym Ninja's 'world'. GN cannot cope without the iPhone, so with this is mind she booked in to the Genius Bar at Apple. Surely a real live genius would help?
Friday dawned and Gym Ninja walked into her local Apple store, trying to look directly ahead and not be drawn to the iPads to her left. Gym Ninja has a Mac, a MacBook, and an iPhone so obviously an iPad which is near identical yet sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo different is essential for her life. *ahem*
Once seated at the Genius Bar, she was met by a Skateboarder who happened to be a 'Genius'. Who knew? Looked like a Skateboarder to Gym Ninja! Gym Ninja then explained the problem of the ever draining battery whilst Skaterboy listened on. He then took Gym Ninja's beloved iPhone and rammed a couple of probes into it, like something off the Sci Fi 'Alien Experiments With Probes' genre...
"Water Damage!" Announced Skaterboy.
"The probes have turned pink which is a sign that water has gotten into the iPhone and is causing it to short circuit. I'm afraid water damage isn't covered by the warrantee"
Gym Ninja did a big 'O' shape with her mouth. WATER damage? Gym Ninja hates water. How can this have happened........and then......ahhhh.
"Ahh, It's SWEAT damage, not water damage." Confessed Gym Ninja.
"I sweat all over my iPhone when I'm training at the gym you see as I stash the iPhone down my top."
*cue cute innocent smile*
Never has Gym Ninja ever seen anyone want to drop an iPhone as fast as Skaterboy did. He managed to stop himself, yet adjusted his grip on it so only the tips of two fingers were now holding it.
"Er, I'll go and speak with the Manager. Like I say, it's not normally covered by the warrantee but I will see what he says".
And with that, Skaterboy and Ninjaphone departed (with Skaterboy still barely touching the iPhone).
5 minutes later Skaterboy returned.
"We'll replace it just this once. We'll have to order a new 3GS in & will ring you when it's ready to switch".
Skaterboy handed back the sweat damaged iPhone to Gym Ninja as she beamed at him. Perhaps stashing a few bikini pictures of herself (taken to help her decide on which bikini to purchase btw) on her iPhone pays dividends when a Store Manager is deciding whether to help out a customer or not? Top Tip ladies!!!!
Saturday dawned... (yes Ok so GN has skipped regaling you with a few workouts but she's forgotten what happened ok?)...Saturday SLAUGHTER Session time!!!!!!
As Gym Ninja bounced through the turnstile she managed to wedge herself inbetween the prongs. Ooops! Too much Diet Emerge Energy Drink making her a tad too fast for the turnstile operation. Also made her look like a spaz....
For once in MONTHS Gym Ninja had time for a 10 minute run prior to spin. Just like the 'old days'. Excellent. If Gym Ninja recalled, the run prior to Spin really helped with the energy levels believe it or not?
The run was 'effortless'. Woohoo! Must be the combination of Diet Emerge and the fact that Gym Ninja is once again sleeping OK. Next stop, the Spin Studio. Gym Ninja bounded into the room and started to set up her bike, chatting to Dangly her 'bike neighbour' as she did so...
'What's all of that on your neck? That water?" Asked Dangly.
"It's sweat! I just did a quick run" Replied Gym Ninja.
Dangly eyed her nervously, before muttering something about Gym Ninja being a tad too bouncy today.
Chatting about regular attendees, Gym Ninja ended up realising that one ofthe regulars to Spin hadn't been for ages.
"Bike Man hasn't been for ages has he?" Said Gym Ninja to Dangly.
Dangly stared at Gym Ninja.
"Are you joking? He was sat in front of you LAST WEEK!"
WHAT?
REALLY?
Looks like Gym Ninja isn't observant.
"Are you sure?" Asked Gym Ninja as she crossed the room towards the door to throw away her empty can of energy drink.
"The guy with the glasses who is obviously a cyclist? HIM?"
The words were barely out of Gym Ninja's mouth when the very man walked in through the doors in a high viz yellow cycling top.
Dangly looked at the man, looked at Gym Ninja and threw her a 'See-told you!' look across the room. What WHERE The chances?
Bang on 10am the class began, and Gym Ninja pedalled away. Today however Gym Ninja didn't find it as tough. Yes, Gym Ninja broke a sweat, but not to the 'been for a swim or head stuck in a bucket of water' level l she normally sports after the hour is over. Remarkable what sleep and a warm up run can do. According to the Polar Heart Rate monitor the workout was pretty much as intense as it usually was too. Great stuff.
After Spin was Lower Body work. and Gym Ninja planned on super-setting her legs to a pulp! High volume and medium weights...
Barbell Squats with Straight legged Deadlifts
Sumo Squats with barbell cleans
Bulgarian Split Squats with one legged dumbbell deadlifts
Then, just to be on the safe side (it does the legs good to be beasted like this once every month), Gym Ninja super-setted frontal plane lunges with Romanian deadlifts.
OOOOOH! Job well done. Yet STILL Gym Ninja had some bounce in her. Let this be a lesson to us all....SLEEP is the best energizer ever. Not only that, it helps regulate appetite as it controls ghrelin levels (that increase hunger levels & fat mass), reduces cortisol & promotes rest and recovery in the body. That, plus a can of Diet Emerge and you're Tigger for the day! ;-)
Until next time (whenever that may be)
Gym Ninja x
Gym Ninja is seriously out of the habit of a daily blog eh? Probably as she is still sorting out her new regular 'routine'.
So you can catch up, allow Gym Ninja to regale you with some past happenings since we last talked about her!
Gym Ninja has a dodgy iPhone. The 3GS is playing up something chronic and moreso since the new software update, to the point that the battery would rain by 50% within a couple of hours. Eeek! Do not drain Gym Ninja's 'world'. GN cannot cope without the iPhone, so with this is mind she booked in to the Genius Bar at Apple. Surely a real live genius would help?
Friday dawned and Gym Ninja walked into her local Apple store, trying to look directly ahead and not be drawn to the iPads to her left. Gym Ninja has a Mac, a MacBook, and an iPhone so obviously an iPad which is near identical yet sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo different is essential for her life. *ahem*
Once seated at the Genius Bar, she was met by a Skateboarder who happened to be a 'Genius'. Who knew? Looked like a Skateboarder to Gym Ninja! Gym Ninja then explained the problem of the ever draining battery whilst Skaterboy listened on. He then took Gym Ninja's beloved iPhone and rammed a couple of probes into it, like something off the Sci Fi 'Alien Experiments With Probes' genre...
"Water Damage!" Announced Skaterboy.
"The probes have turned pink which is a sign that water has gotten into the iPhone and is causing it to short circuit. I'm afraid water damage isn't covered by the warrantee"
Gym Ninja did a big 'O' shape with her mouth. WATER damage? Gym Ninja hates water. How can this have happened........and then......ahhhh.
"Ahh, It's SWEAT damage, not water damage." Confessed Gym Ninja.
"I sweat all over my iPhone when I'm training at the gym you see as I stash the iPhone down my top."
*cue cute innocent smile*
Never has Gym Ninja ever seen anyone want to drop an iPhone as fast as Skaterboy did. He managed to stop himself, yet adjusted his grip on it so only the tips of two fingers were now holding it.
"Er, I'll go and speak with the Manager. Like I say, it's not normally covered by the warrantee but I will see what he says".
And with that, Skaterboy and Ninjaphone departed (with Skaterboy still barely touching the iPhone).
5 minutes later Skaterboy returned.
"We'll replace it just this once. We'll have to order a new 3GS in & will ring you when it's ready to switch".
Skaterboy handed back the sweat damaged iPhone to Gym Ninja as she beamed at him. Perhaps stashing a few bikini pictures of herself (taken to help her decide on which bikini to purchase btw) on her iPhone pays dividends when a Store Manager is deciding whether to help out a customer or not? Top Tip ladies!!!!
Saturday dawned... (yes Ok so GN has skipped regaling you with a few workouts but she's forgotten what happened ok?)...Saturday SLAUGHTER Session time!!!!!!
As Gym Ninja bounced through the turnstile she managed to wedge herself inbetween the prongs. Ooops! Too much Diet Emerge Energy Drink making her a tad too fast for the turnstile operation. Also made her look like a spaz....
For once in MONTHS Gym Ninja had time for a 10 minute run prior to spin. Just like the 'old days'. Excellent. If Gym Ninja recalled, the run prior to Spin really helped with the energy levels believe it or not?
The run was 'effortless'. Woohoo! Must be the combination of Diet Emerge and the fact that Gym Ninja is once again sleeping OK. Next stop, the Spin Studio. Gym Ninja bounded into the room and started to set up her bike, chatting to Dangly her 'bike neighbour' as she did so...
'What's all of that on your neck? That water?" Asked Dangly.
"It's sweat! I just did a quick run" Replied Gym Ninja.
Dangly eyed her nervously, before muttering something about Gym Ninja being a tad too bouncy today.
Chatting about regular attendees, Gym Ninja ended up realising that one ofthe regulars to Spin hadn't been for ages.
"Bike Man hasn't been for ages has he?" Said Gym Ninja to Dangly.
Dangly stared at Gym Ninja.
"Are you joking? He was sat in front of you LAST WEEK!"
WHAT?
REALLY?
Looks like Gym Ninja isn't observant.
"Are you sure?" Asked Gym Ninja as she crossed the room towards the door to throw away her empty can of energy drink.
"The guy with the glasses who is obviously a cyclist? HIM?"
The words were barely out of Gym Ninja's mouth when the very man walked in through the doors in a high viz yellow cycling top.
Dangly looked at the man, looked at Gym Ninja and threw her a 'See-told you!' look across the room. What WHERE The chances?
Bang on 10am the class began, and Gym Ninja pedalled away. Today however Gym Ninja didn't find it as tough. Yes, Gym Ninja broke a sweat, but not to the 'been for a swim or head stuck in a bucket of water' level l she normally sports after the hour is over. Remarkable what sleep and a warm up run can do. According to the Polar Heart Rate monitor the workout was pretty much as intense as it usually was too. Great stuff.
After Spin was Lower Body work. and Gym Ninja planned on super-setting her legs to a pulp! High volume and medium weights...
Barbell Squats with Straight legged Deadlifts
Sumo Squats with barbell cleans
Bulgarian Split Squats with one legged dumbbell deadlifts
Then, just to be on the safe side (it does the legs good to be beasted like this once every month), Gym Ninja super-setted frontal plane lunges with Romanian deadlifts.
OOOOOH! Job well done. Yet STILL Gym Ninja had some bounce in her. Let this be a lesson to us all....SLEEP is the best energizer ever. Not only that, it helps regulate appetite as it controls ghrelin levels (that increase hunger levels & fat mass), reduces cortisol & promotes rest and recovery in the body. That, plus a can of Diet Emerge and you're Tigger for the day! ;-)
Until next time (whenever that may be)
Gym Ninja x
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