Rees Fitness Personal Training
Strength, Fitness & Behaviour Coaching
To me, periodisation is:
“Specialising in different things, in different phases, over a period of time, in order to bring them all together at the end.”
For example, if I were to build a house, I would divide the project up into the following phases:
You need to do resistance training (weights) and aim to increase your muscle mass. If you disagree with me, or think this does not apply to you, sorry, but you are wrong, and I am right. Read on and I’ll try to explain why…
Many people (including some experienced athletes) tend to equate strength training with bodybuilding…thinking that both are one and the same. They get stuck in the “3 sets of 10” rut and never get out. But there is more than one type of strength, each having its own pros and cons, and each being more or less suitable for different activities. As such there is more than one way of training for strength. Here is a quick run down of the major forms of strength…
Most people come to the gym to train for aesthetic reasons (to look better). But a special few train for practical reasons (to be able to perform a physical task better). And I like coaching these people! And I had an eye opening opportunity the other day…in a funeral home.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will”.
Mahatma Gandhi.
I was coaching a general circuit training session, and we had a couple of minutes left before we had to finish. We could have just left it there. But instead we did one last flying lap round the circuit.
Because a couple of people have asked me recently about training during pregnancy, I’ve found myself reading up loads on it (remember, I’m not claiming to be any kind of expert, so if you know better, please let me know). But I just read this blog post (click here to read it) about one ladys personal experience of weight training during her pregnancy.
I was coaching a nice lady who was back after having a months break. She has a fantastic attitude, but was killing herself trying to do the same things as before she stopped. As normal, I am going to try to take a step back and take the long view. So here are my recommendations for getting back into training after a break…
I was in a really good mood the other day. A lass who is a regular in the gym actually came up and asked how to improve her pressups! Most people grimace and run a mile when I mention pressups to them! So here is a rough and ready guide to pressups. How to do them and how not to do them..
So I did my first Exercise Workshop on Sunday, and first and foremost I want to say a huge congratulations and thank you to all who attended!
Exercise Workshop
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, I had plenty of positive feedback (all of which was “good” or better!) and I think everyone learnt some new and important things over the 2 hours.
So you want to get good at something? It could be getting good at your sport, your diet, your job, your relationship or your school subject. But there are good and bad ways to go about this. One of the best ways is to work from the general to the specific. This means you spend time getting the fundamental, foundation principles right before worrying about the minute details. Get good at the general stuff first, then move on to the specifics. For example:
The Romanian Deadlift (RDL) What does it do? Romanian Deadlift (RDL) This exercise strengthens the back, bum and back of legs. Why do it? To strengthen the back half of your body. A lot of us are over-strong in the front and weak at the back of the body. So this can help redress … Read more
Don’t forget, Sunday, July 4th from 10am – 12pm. My first exercise workshop covering safe, efficient and effective resistance training techniques. Click here to book your place on line, or you can come see me in the gym at Craven Fitness Centre. Bare in mind, I’ll only be there in the mornings these next couple … Read more
After weeks of fighting to get it arranged, I’m finally in a position to announce my first Exercise Workshop here in Skipton, North Yorshire! It will be an indepth tutorial on how to do some of the main, fundamental resistance exercises and how they cross-over to virtually every other exercise you do. It will cover … Read more
A common mistake I’ve seen from many people I have trained with (from absolute beginners to those who are really very good). They want to know “The best thing for…”
After yesterdays post about exercise during pregnancy, there was a question about what specific reps and sets of resistance should be done. So here goes…
People want or need to gain strength for a number of reasons, but they usually fall into one of two camps…
Core stability and strength has been growing in fashion for a few years now, and most people have their own different idea of what it means, ranging from “the cure for all things” to “totally pointless and only for girls”. The truth is, people who say either of these don’t know what they are talking about. Here are my thoughts…
First of all, I have to admit I have no direct scientific evidence of this…so I can’t prove a word of what I’m saying…but I know it’s true…its common sense. So with that disclaimer out of the way, here is why my motto is:
“Movement & Variety”
…and why bigger is better!
People are very fond of bicep curls. It’s understandable, as a bulging bicep has been the standard image for strength for generations. And there is nothing wrong with having “big guns”…but curls are given waaaaaaaaaay too much importance!