Jonny Parr Training

Not too long ago, I had a great conversation at work regarding the varying types of people that go to gyms. I found the whole topic both funny and interesting as almost everyone seems to fit a particular gym stereotype. When you read this try to picture those you know that perhaps fit a particular mould. In fact, do you resemble any of them?

#1 The Old Timer

First of all, I must admit I love talking to old timers. Even if most of their views on training (they tend to only appreciate squats, eggs and milk) or most matters can be slightly perplexed at times, they almost always mean well. Whats more, some of these guys are often in great shape. I know a 65 year old former boxer who can perform 10 full-range pull-ups and bench 100 kilos. How many of you can do that? I know for a fact you can't Capp.

These guys also love to talk, period. They tend to have as much life experience as taxi drivers and just like taxi drivers they love telling you so. They particularly seem to enjoy talking to younger people in attempts to pass on knowledge. I have no doubts you can enjoy, benefit and learn from their knowledge, views and experience. Even if you don't feel this way and perhaps only view speaking to the 'old timer' as a hassle, by taking the time to listen to them you will probably make their day. Surely all 'the hassle' as it were would be worth it then.

#2 The Brad Pitt Wannabe

Everyone knows the vain guy. He's the one that constantly asks, "how do I build a physique like Brad Pitt from Fight Club?" or better yet, "how do I get a six pack like Brad Pitt from Fight Club?". My answer is simple, star in a movie which offers millions (that's your motivation) and train like a mother****** Good luck.

A lot of these types of people also tend to bring a copy of 'Mens Health' to the gym with them. I know for a fact gym staff and other gym members find this comical. Piece of friendly advice, leave the magazine at home, memorise the workout if you can...in fact better yet, never follow a 'Mens Health' workout again, they suck.

The fact remains that everyone has a six pack. However the fact also remains that most people have too much bodyfat, therefore they can't see their six pack. 'Tyler Durden' had very low bodyfat and was relatively muscular to boot. All this plus fake tan and carefully collaborated shading and you're on the path to being Brad.

#3 The Fat Cardio/Marathon Runner

These people love to plough along for hours on end staying in the imaginary fat burning zone. These types of people love treadmills, cross-trainers, rowers, bikes etc. They tend to compete in different types of marathons and wear baggy t-shirts with logos such as 'Glasgow Green 10k'. You will also regularly hear them say, "I do it for the endorphin rush?".

What interests me concerning 'marathon runners' is that when they start to get fitter they don't increase the speed on the treadmill but simply increase the time on the treadmill. I could be wrong but are marathons not based on the time it takes to get from A to B? Therefore in actual fact is it not a race? People tend to forget that Marathons are based on who is the fastest, not who can go the longest.

What's more, the more steady-state cardio you do the more fat your body will store. Confused, it's all about your body adapting to whatever training stiumulus you incorporate.

Consider this...when you lift weights your body will adapt afterwards to this training stimulus by building more muscle mass or getting stronger. Now when you train using steady-state cardio as your primary means of exercise, the body taps into it's main energy source while training at this low intensity...this is fat. Therefore how does your body adapt to this training stimulus...by storing more readily available energy...what is this readily available energy? Fat!

Do yourself a favour and substitute steady-state cardio (or at least don't focus all your attention on it) for more intense cardio alternatives (i.e. Interval Training, GPP or Fartlek Training). This will improve your marathon times, your overall fitness and your body composition.

Remember fat people finish marathons all the time, don't be one of them!

(PART 2 COMING SOON)