Just some updates this post with regards to the sweet science, both in my life and the world boxing scene. My fighters, Ashley and Mandy continue to train diligently for there debuts. We are gunning for sometime this month and hopefully the beginning of December and then we will shut it down for the rest of the year, enjoy the holiday season and start up for the tournament season in the new year. Training is coming along very well with constant progression and improvements being made daily. I can't wait to see them perform and put all that knowledge to use in the ring. I continue to train fairly hard and have continued with some basic boxing training and strength training to keep myself fit. I still have that lingering debate in my head as whether i should give it just one more shot. I don't honestly believe I could go onto some super stardom or a world title but I think I still have enough in the tank and some skill and reflexes to do fairly well, maybe even win a Canadian title or something. But, of course, there is the "Menna Luck" looming above my head and the fear of being let down and disappointed yet again. At 32 I don't have that much time on my side or much luck for that matter so I highly doubt that I will try for it again but you never know. I guess I'll keep myself and whoever else cares in suspense.
On November 14th Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will wage war in a highly anticipated match. I am really looking forward to this one as both fighters display tremendous heart and warrior minds and with that will put on quite a show. I am going to go with Pacquiao on this one just because he has had a better run as of late however both are great fighters and this should be a good one. I think I might even pay the pay per view cost and watch it from the comfort of my home.
Lastly, I believe I have mentioned in a past post about the importance of rest in fitness training, as well as proper nutrition, make up important pieces to your optimum health and fitness puzzle. I cannot stress enough that just as important as actually getting your ass into the gym and putting in the hard work, we must make sure that proper pre and post workout meals are being ingested for the energy factor and for the recovery factor, and sleep as well(7 to 9 hours a night)
for energy and recovery factors as well. And I know it is often neglected with some of the people I work with. Again with all the pieces of the puzzle fitting together you will see your health and fitness goals attained faster.
Train to live, live to train TIP
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
30 MINUTE METABOLIC BLAST
For those of you readers of this blog who are currently physically active and are bored of your current fitness routine or are interested in taking your fitness to another level I offer 30min metabolic blast sessions at the studio. These are high intensity, high speed, hybrid mix of strength, cardio and boxing aimed at boosting metabolism and torching fat. Are you ready?
If you are interested or know someone who is contact me at the studio.
If you are interested or know someone who is contact me at the studio.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
MENNANOMICS 101
In the past year as a personal trainer I have veraciously studied and researched ways to help my clients, family members and friends better themselves through health and fitness which is my passion and the reason I do what I do. At times I got frustrated because one research would say to do it this way and another fitness guru would say do it that way and so on and so on. On top of what I already knew from my past training as a boxer and the slew of other information I was reading I would drive myself crazy trying to figure out what was best. I would sometimes even lose sleep at night. That's just my ambition and drive for perfection. However, I soon realized there is no perfect way to do anything. In life, as in fitness its a struggle and essentially it is through trial and error that we find what works or what makes us happy. So what I did was stopped analyzing what other trainers did or what certain researchers said and just took my own knowledge and common sense and make it work through trial and error to see what works for these people. My theory is every BODY is different so what works for one person may not work for someone else. I look at the gym as a laboratory and I do my own research and come up with my own findings and conclusions. And I guess it is working because people are seeing results and improving steadily with what I am doing with them so I must be doing something right. I label my training Mennanomics, similar to economics, with supply and demand and so forth, that's all I really know about the subject. Anyway the goal for most people is to just get fitter and lose some weight, get leaner etc. Now supply=calories and demand=exercise to use calories. For weight loss you want to burn more calories then you take in, it is quite simple, just put in the hard work until demand exceeds supply. Obviously for other fitness goals the equation might be a little different but this what the majority of average everyday people want. Put in work, hustle and move, just do it, by any means necessary and get the results case closed. Some trainers may beg to differ or have different opinions but in the end it's what gets people the results in the safest and most efficient manner that counts most.
On a quick, funny side note I have a client who who trains with me 3 days a week and who works hard and who I have a blast training, however his sense of humour, brings about some of the funniest,"I can't make it to the workout" excuses ever. 1. Stuck in a snow storm( in July) 2. The wind is blowing me in the wrong direction. 3. Anal Glaucoma, I can't see my ass getting there. Hilarious.
Train to live, live to train TIP
On a quick, funny side note I have a client who who trains with me 3 days a week and who works hard and who I have a blast training, however his sense of humour, brings about some of the funniest,"I can't make it to the workout" excuses ever. 1. Stuck in a snow storm( in July) 2. The wind is blowing me in the wrong direction. 3. Anal Glaucoma, I can't see my ass getting there. Hilarious.
Train to live, live to train TIP
Sunday, October 18, 2009
FINALLY---IT'S OVER!!
This Friday we finally wrote our Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist exam after 6 months of it lingering above our heads. I felt it was pretty tough, 100 multiple choice and 5 case studies, but I am positive that I passed and will now have another certification under my belt and now I can implement specialized training programs for people with certain medical conditions. It was pretty interesting stuff that we learned. I hope that I can put my knowledge to good use.
On another note, as I think I have mentioned in past posts, I am now on Facebook which I never wanted to do but for marketing purposes and for getting my face out there and letting people know what I do, I finally broke done and joined. I have a personal page and a fan page. I am not too active on it but every time I make a post I get a reaction. I already have got a few new clients and sparked some interest in people since I started and I have only been on about 2 months. It is pretty cool to see the power of networking and the more I practice, the better I get at it. If you reading this are on Facebook and haven't already joined my fanpage feel free to do so maybe you will see something that will spark your interest.
While posting yesterday on Facebook I mentioned that I have helped my wife Ashley get her pre pregnancy body back and I posted before and after pictures and it immediately drew some attention. Through my one on one schedule or through a small group class I would really like to help women get that pre pregnancy body back just like I did for my wife Ashley because I understand the frustration and the self confidence issues that occur during this time for women. I know I have seen Ashley go through it twice, and twice she has gained her body and more importantly her confidence back. For more info contact me at the studio. Monday to Friday 6am to 2pm.
Train to live, live to train TIP
On another note, as I think I have mentioned in past posts, I am now on Facebook which I never wanted to do but for marketing purposes and for getting my face out there and letting people know what I do, I finally broke done and joined. I have a personal page and a fan page. I am not too active on it but every time I make a post I get a reaction. I already have got a few new clients and sparked some interest in people since I started and I have only been on about 2 months. It is pretty cool to see the power of networking and the more I practice, the better I get at it. If you reading this are on Facebook and haven't already joined my fanpage feel free to do so maybe you will see something that will spark your interest.
While posting yesterday on Facebook I mentioned that I have helped my wife Ashley get her pre pregnancy body back and I posted before and after pictures and it immediately drew some attention. Through my one on one schedule or through a small group class I would really like to help women get that pre pregnancy body back just like I did for my wife Ashley because I understand the frustration and the self confidence issues that occur during this time for women. I know I have seen Ashley go through it twice, and twice she has gained her body and more importantly her confidence back. For more info contact me at the studio. Monday to Friday 6am to 2pm.
Train to live, live to train TIP
Monday, October 12, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
First and foremost, a very Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy all the delectable treats that you are about to ingest today as well as that cozy nap on the couch following the feast. I am looking forward to it, as well as looking forward to a busy 4 day week at the studio, and the continuing progress of my fighters. A local MMA fighter has enlisted my help in polishing up his boxing skills as well as the help of my comrade in combat Adam Higson to sharpen up his Muay Thai skills. I'm excited to see what we can do with him, as he will have a good team behind him. I am also in the final crunch time of studying for the Post Rehab certification exam which we are writing this Friday. I can't wait to just get it over with because it has been looming about for the last 6 months.
The Road To Hope race is creeping up and I believe it is on October 31st. I have run the 10km the last 2 years and I hope to be able to run it again this year. I haven't really been in training for it so I don't know how my results will be this year. I don't really care how fast I run or where I place because for me it is just a run for fun and to raise money for charity.
I am now on my way to do a pre Thanksgiving Meal workout to open up some caloric space for all the turkey and stuffing that will be eaten. Consider it a prelude to the feast, an eating warm up, a guilt reliever or whatever you want it to be. Do it too if you feel up to it, if not enjoy the day and give thanks.
Train to live, live to train TIP
The Road To Hope race is creeping up and I believe it is on October 31st. I have run the 10km the last 2 years and I hope to be able to run it again this year. I haven't really been in training for it so I don't know how my results will be this year. I don't really care how fast I run or where I place because for me it is just a run for fun and to raise money for charity.
I am now on my way to do a pre Thanksgiving Meal workout to open up some caloric space for all the turkey and stuffing that will be eaten. Consider it a prelude to the feast, an eating warm up, a guilt reliever or whatever you want it to be. Do it too if you feel up to it, if not enjoy the day and give thanks.
Train to live, live to train TIP
Sunday, October 4, 2009
DISAPPOINTMENT
A little disappointed this weekend as our fighters did not fight in the tournament we were hoping to fight in. Mandy was definitely not fighting because her license was not sent away in time but Ashley had all of her stuff sent away she was just not registered by the deadline date and unfortunately they did not let her enter the tournament. We were upset because we were ready to go and we put in lots of hard work. I hope the "Menna Luck" does not rub off on my fighters. We are staying positive and ready because there are lots of fights coming up in the next few weeks.
This weekend was one of very few that I have had absolutely nothing to do so we had some good family time together. I also decided to purchase some Power Block Dumbells for me to use at the house. This set ranges from 5 to 50lbs and is great because they condense together and take up little room. I personally do not use free weights very much, I use mostly just bodyweight and explosive exercises when training, but adding dumbells for complex training is a great way to build muscle(not maximal), strength(not maximal) and endurance and is a great way to lose weight by using up minimal time, space and equipment. Complex training using dumbells or barbells was popularized by a man named Istvan Javorek, a Romanian strength and conditioning coach. What you do is pick a number of exercises and do about 6 reps for each and move rapidly through each exercise without stopping. You do not need really heavy weights when doing them, the key is to move quickly and explosively, but with proper technique. This type of training can be done by the average person just trying to get fit or for the athlete trying to get conditioned for their particular sport. Obviously you would change weight and rep ranges to accommodate for a your fitness level. It is time efficient, fun(if you consider exercising fun) and changes up from the norm of traditional training. I use complex training myself and with my clients in certain phases of their training. I use it with very light weight and low reps as a warm up, for the base of a workout, or even as a "finisher" if someone has a little juice left at the end of a workout. Very simple and very effective, try adding a complex to your training. Here is a sample:
*Squat and Press 6 reps
*High Pull 6reps
*Front Squat 6reps
*Clean 6reps
*Snatch 6reps
This one is a little more advanced so and easier one might look something like this:
*Shoulder Press 6reps
*Upright Row 6reps
*Tricep Kickbacks 6reps
*Bicep Curls 6reps
*Squats 6reps
Mix and match according to you and your abilities and have some fun.
Train to live, live to train TIP
This weekend was one of very few that I have had absolutely nothing to do so we had some good family time together. I also decided to purchase some Power Block Dumbells for me to use at the house. This set ranges from 5 to 50lbs and is great because they condense together and take up little room. I personally do not use free weights very much, I use mostly just bodyweight and explosive exercises when training, but adding dumbells for complex training is a great way to build muscle(not maximal), strength(not maximal) and endurance and is a great way to lose weight by using up minimal time, space and equipment. Complex training using dumbells or barbells was popularized by a man named Istvan Javorek, a Romanian strength and conditioning coach. What you do is pick a number of exercises and do about 6 reps for each and move rapidly through each exercise without stopping. You do not need really heavy weights when doing them, the key is to move quickly and explosively, but with proper technique. This type of training can be done by the average person just trying to get fit or for the athlete trying to get conditioned for their particular sport. Obviously you would change weight and rep ranges to accommodate for a your fitness level. It is time efficient, fun(if you consider exercising fun) and changes up from the norm of traditional training. I use complex training myself and with my clients in certain phases of their training. I use it with very light weight and low reps as a warm up, for the base of a workout, or even as a "finisher" if someone has a little juice left at the end of a workout. Very simple and very effective, try adding a complex to your training. Here is a sample:
*Squat and Press 6 reps
*High Pull 6reps
*Front Squat 6reps
*Clean 6reps
*Snatch 6reps
This one is a little more advanced so and easier one might look something like this:
*Shoulder Press 6reps
*Upright Row 6reps
*Tricep Kickbacks 6reps
*Bicep Curls 6reps
*Squats 6reps
Mix and match according to you and your abilities and have some fun.
Train to live, live to train TIP
Monday, September 28, 2009
FIGHT GAME
Quick post this week, just keeping up to date with the progress of my fighters Ashley and Mandy. We went to Regency Boxing Club and my old teacher Dave Finch for some sparring for my girls. Despite being outweighed and under experienced they did very well and impressed me with their determination. Ashley is finishing up last her last week of training in preparation for next weekends tournament. We still don't know if we are 100% going to fight because of licensing glitches. I am praying that it comes through for her because she has been working hard and waiting for a long time for this moment. Mandy is definitely not fighting as her paperwork for her license was not sent out in time. Lots of time and fights ahead to look forward to. On a quick note Ernie just asked me as I was writing this, if I had read the article in the Spec this weekend about the old time wrestlers that were featured and how they used to regularly wrestle in front of big crowds in the city. It was very interesting and I know back in the day they used to have regular boxing matches as well. It just boggles my mind that a tough, gritty city like Hamilton does not host more fighting events. I would love to be able to bring the fight game back to this great city but it would be very difficult as the athletic commission is not as easy about putting events together like they used to. If we could get through all the red tape one day maybe we can bring the fight game back to the city. At least we can dream.
Train to live, live to train TIP
Train to live, live to train TIP
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