Fighters Only

Issue 085

February 2012

It’s official: The holidays are over, now is the time to get back on track

Barry Gibson BSc and MMA-CSCC is the owner/founder of GrappleFit Training, and an S&C coach focusing on combat sports

Though I’d promised sprint workouts this month, the New Year always makes people a little insane when it comes to conditioning so I felt it needed addressing urgently. All the ladies I train are dying to lose inches, weight and fat while the guys are trying to pull in their guts and add inches to their arms. Bearing in mind most of these people I train are combat athletes I find this bizarre. But it just goes to make an interesting point; we all like to look good and be noticed by people. Guys wanna be jacked, gals wanna be fit and slinky!

No doubt, the world over, 2012 will also see gym memberships skyrocket. And then plummet again when the novelty wears off and folks realize they won’t look like Halle Berry or Brad Pitt in Fight Club. It takes hard work and effort. Not just in the gym, but at home, in restaurants, cafes and any other social gathering you can think of. Abs are made in the kitchen people, not the gym!

I’m sorry to say it, but you can’t out-train or out-run a bad diet. It’s that simple. You’ve simply got to get yourself a plan and stick to it. So what have you done? Were you full of Christmas turkey, all the trimmings and good intentions on December 25th? If you were you’ll be falling at the first hurdle when you return to the gym in January. Or perhaps you made some sound choices and kept a routine over the holidays and maintained some semblance of a waistline.

In case you’re snowed in, snowed down or simply too social to make the gym this January, my ‘Blast Routine’ (left) will keep you ticking over and make sure you don’t look like the polar opposite of Mr Incredible in your rash guard. As usual all the equipment required you can substitute for items found around the home.

If you’re pressed for time my ‘Xmas Cracker’ (center left) is ideal. This is a density block style of workout so rest comes only as you need it. Try to hit a few sets before having your rest to get the most rewards from this type of work.

As for diet, keep it as clean as you can. You’ve likely pigged out over the holiday period so now it’s time to get back on track. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but remember what’s gone in over the past month and try to only fuel your body on clean, natural products.