Last Visit: Aug 24, 2008 6:36am Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload:Never Last Profile Update: Aug 8, 2008 7:51am Last Blog Post: Yesterday, 7:21pm
I do alot of physical activity, one of which was parkour. My friends started going to the gym and suggested I come with them. I declined for months, then realised I might be able to gain some strength necessary to progress in parkour. I started out with a laughable 25kg bench press and 80kg leg press. I saw little improvement and through a mixture of lack of motivation and a dickhead school gym-instructor, I gave up.
Months went by and I started getting interested in physical conditioning. I wasn't actually training, but I started reading up and educating myself on various concept and training methods. I knew so much more now since my first day when I asked "What's a rep?".
I eventually decided to buy a bench for home, with a few simple exercises attached and some free weights. I was doing this for a few months, I took my bench from 30kg x 8 to 50kg x 12 in a short amount of time, I was finally making gains and loving it.
Then another spanner in the works, I started losing motivation. I realised soon enough that without a dedicated place for me to go and train, I couldn't stay focused. Between sets I would get distracted by my computer or other rooms in the house and I couldn't take it anymore. I joined a gym with my friend, this time one outside school. We went there almost religiously for months, my leg press went from 100kg to 235kg, I cut fat and I felt great.
At this time I started training Muay Thai kickboxing, a sport which requires a practical balance between muscular strength, agility and endurance - also a respiratory system to match. My aim is to get into some professional fights, maybe attempt for a title or 2. I try to replicate movements in Muay Thai in weights, plyometrics and overall core strengthening, that's one of the main reasons I continue to do weights.
The nail in the last gym's coffin, however, was a mixture of price and the people going there. It was one of these fancy upclass gyms, where the people going there had to be important and better than everyone else. There was no hardcore training, everyone there was too obsessed with posing and their tan. Sure it's good to scope out the females at those ones, but I'm not there to do that.
I transferred directly to one in the same area. About 1/4 the price, and just as much potential. Alot smaller, less people, but more enthusiasts not obsessed with looks. The gym is also supplied for the local professional Rugby team, and seeing the huge guys around you definently makes you push yourself a bit harder.
I've been at this gym for a little while now and already seeing difference in strength and size. Good stuff.
Why I Love It:
I am obsessed with how cool the idea of the body adapting in an attempt to survive is. I first started weights to get a bit of functional strength, I then realised how addictive the idea of getting stronger and looking better can be. I plan on building the most powerful, fast and explosive physique I can while still retaining agility and practicality. I don't want to be able to bench 100kg but not climb up a wall because I have alot of useless muscle mass.
I love being able to manipulate the body to do what I want it to, and look and feel good doing it.
How I Stay Motivated:
I have a few idols I, well, idolise. The first being my Muay Thai coaches, Dylan and Liam Resnekov. Their knowledge and philosophy isn't just inside the ring, they teach life lessons and help you to overcome problems, physical or mental. Dylan recently took the Austrlian Title for the 60kg division.
My main idol for strength training is Frank Yang. If you haven't seen his videos, search him on youtube, you won't be dissappointed. He brings such energy into the gym, and never gives up. He's also remarkably strong, benching 300lbs @ 160lbs bodyweight. He has a 58" vertical jump aswell... very impressive.
BB Accomplishments:
I am harder on myself then anyone else is, so I'm never happy with what I achieve. So far though, I can;
Bench 125% of my bodyweight.
Squat 200% of my bodyweight.
Leg Press 450% of my bodyweight.
Lat Pulldown 135% of my bodyweight.
Those are just some rough numbers.
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I want to compete professionally in Muay Thai. I would be sitting at around 66kg during a fight as that is the perfect weight for my height. I want to get as strong as possible before I reach 66kg.
What celebrity body would you most like to have? Why?
I like Mark Wahlberg's build, but he is too big for me to replicate without getting too heavy.
- Updated Apr 1, 2008 10:09pm
What is the most common reason that somebody gets injured while lifting?
Bad form, 'cheating' the weight. Trying to go too heavy too early. Not warming up enough.
- Updated Apr 1, 2008 10:08pm
Have you ever had a lifting injury?
Yes
What type of injury was it? How long were you injured? How did you recover?
Through bad form I injured both my deltoids, the right more than the left. I didn't know what I'd done until the pain got bad (another form of gym ignorance mixed with an ego). I was 'out' for about 6 weeks.
I took a break from weights for about 2-3 weeks, then started again just doing high-rep low-weight for a while, not going to muscle failure or pushing very hard.Through bad form I injured both my deltoids, the right more than the left. I didn't know what I'd done until the pain got bad (another form of gym ignorance mixed with an ego). I was 'out' for about 6...more
Nice! You might want to improve your lats and muscles surrounding your lower back to absorb those knees more effectively. Also maintain your flexibilty for obvious reasons.
