REST DAYS
- by Martin Kimberley
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- 15 Oct, 2018
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WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO?
It’s all well and good smashing the gym through the week, but what you do during your time away from the gym can have a big effect on your results too
On a rest day, your aim should always be to stay as active as possible, so don’t just veg on the sofa all day watching re-runs of friends! (Save that for hangovers days, the two are completely different. . . . . )
Staying active will help clear out any soreness you might have, and give your muscles a much needed rest from the training you’ve been doing.
As a competitive rugby player & keen Olympic weightlifter, making sure that i’m on top of my rest days, and staying active, is the key to being able to push myself both in the gym, on the rugby field and on the weightlifting platform!
A couple of my favourite things to do on rest days are:
- Take my dog, Oscar for a nice long walk! If you’re on instagram check out him out @Oscarseyepatch
- Go for a round of golf. Even though it’s usually not the prettiest golf you’ll ever see, being outside in the fresh air can really help you to relax . . . . Till you’re searching the rough for the 6th hole in a row looking for your ball. . . . .
- Get out onto the Albert Dock, and do some paddle boarding, again if you’ve got instagram, check out the awesome @LiverpoolSupCo for all your paddle boarding needs :)
- Instead of vegging out on the sofa, spending some time foam rolling and stretching, to make sure i’m in a fresh place to get back to training again!
These are just some of the things that I do, but they will all work for anyone
Other stuff you could do are things like going for a bike ride, taking a light 10-15 minute jog, or even just walking to places that you would usually drive to.
Generally being more active will help keep you on top of your game when you get back into the gym!
What do you get up on your rest days away from the gym?
Let me know, i’d love to hear what you get up to :)
PS If you’d like to test out our programs (rest days are encouraged!)
Head over to this link and sign up for a 14 day FREE trial, you won’t be disappointed :)
www.liverpoolstrengthco.co.uk/get-started
In the dimly lit comedy club, amidst the laughter, clinking of glasses, and low level murmur of conversations, a familiar face stepped up to the microphone — our very own Danny from the gym.
As he began to spin tales and crack jokes, it dawned on me: comedy is a lot like training.
They both share parallels, obviously in slightly different senses, but they are certainly there.
We actually spoke about this afterwards, whilst enjoying a couple of pints of Guinness
But anyway, Danny, with his effortless humour, was a testament to the principle of repetition.
Meet Adam
A guy who decided to flip the script on his lifestyle
and embrace the barbell.
After a few years of no exercise, he strolled into the gym, took a firm grip on a bar, and set his sights on becoming a stronger, healthier version of himself.
Fast forward a couple of years, and Adam had not only found his groove but also a super reliable gym buddy in Colin (AKA Big Col).
Their lifting journey led them to toy with the idea of powerlifting competitions, and the progress they made was incredible!
In around six months, they were winning competitions and on the cusp of national (and international competitions).
But this story isn't about trophies; it's about a journey.
And after a successful team competition, a first dip of the toe into the sport of powerlifting, Adam was on the verge of qualifying for the English Championships and making strides toward the British Championships.
All seemed splendid until his next competition day.
Despite stellar training and perfect prep, something felt off.
His squats faltered, his bench wasn't much better.
and his deadlifts, usually his stronghold, were a struggle.
It was clear - something was amiss.
But Adam's got grit.
He wanted to make it right and pushed through.
In a weird turn of events, he had a hard time with a weight he'd breezed through in training.
After a successful attempt, it was obvious something wasn't right.
He'd got his total.
What he needed to get to the English Championships, but we'd expected a lot more.
Sat in the back room, Adam looked a little dazed, and hazy.
A shiver of concern rippled through both of us.
He stumbled and staggered towards the platform. Panic flashed.
His second attempt, no matter how hard he tried was glued to the floor!
What was going on? It was a mystery.
Adam, undeterred, lined up for one more shot at 207.5kg - a weight he should've handled.
He yanked, it reached his knees, then disaster struck.
He stumbled back, I had to catch him and walk him off the platform.
Turns out, Adam had unknowingly rewritten his story.
All the hard work, weight loss, and gains in fitness had made his blood pressure plummet!
His body was so much fitter and healthier that he no longer needed the high blood pressure meds he'd taken for years.
Adam's doctor revealed he'd achieved the opposite of hypertension - hypotension!
And today, Adam is healthier, stronger, and smashing goals like a champ.
And as a side note, he's been on to compete in the English championships, the British championships, AND he even won a medal at the commonwealth championships over in Canada!
Now, if you're not a fan of old-school cardio, don’t really fancy doing a boatload of burpees, and could think of nothing worse than plodding along on a treadmill then head over HERE , and book your 'No Sweat Intro'.
No gimmicks, no catches, lets just have a conversation about where you're at right now, and where you'd like to be.
A lot like what happened with Adam.
It's time to write your own story.
You won't regret it!
PS - Here's that link again: > N O SWEAT INTRO <