Tuesday, November 25, 2008
And Let it Begin...
Oh yeah! I started training yesterday for my first figure competition!! I have 18 weeks minus 2 days now...ha! And there's a lot of work to do. Yesterday I started the 2-a-day cardio...30 min AM and 45 min PM. Little set back this morning...my knees hurt. Anyway need to get cardio up to about 2 hrs. My workouts are probably going to need sprint training because over the years I've learned that's the fastest way for me to cut fat...just to add that in to a run! I had a pretty good day lifting back and bis. Back, Tris and abs will be the toughest to train. Yep, it's going to be an adventure this first time around because I don't know exactly what I'm doing ( :
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Contemplating Competition...
I had a fun weekend in the Seattle/Bellevue area. I attended my first fitness/figure workshop with IFBB Pro Tanji Johnson. I met her during college in Spokane, and it's been fun to see her grace pages of magazines and on the first season of the newer American Gladiators. Anyway her workshop was a blast and I learned so much! I am excited to finally explore this industry more! I've never competed in anything like that, but it's crossed my mind over the years. Oxygen Magazine has had a big part in keeping the idea in my head, oh since about 1995. HA! It was perfect timing. I just flew in from San Francisco a week ago.
Saturday was a geared toward the future of the industry and figure posing. Sunday "Save Fitness" was all strength and flexibility training...along with a little dance! This is the most challenging for me because I have what I call noodle ankles. Sure enough once my shoes were off one of them rolled. I was able to keep going and ice it later. I've never let those injuries stop me, but they scare me sometimes since I spent time in a wheelchair with two broken feet which were the result of rolling ankles. So now I know I need extra gear when I train...tape, braces, or dance shoes. I'm feeling inspired since I've been a gym girl most of my life, but this kind of training is REALLY taking it to a new level with new commitment. There are a lot of things that can be done at home to improve in all these areas...practice, practice, practice!!!
I learned how to stand for the shape of my legs. I know I need to strengthen and tone my triceps and lats! Oh along with much, much more...but at least I have starting point.
I am at a bit of a career crossroads between chasing down a TV job or pursuing fitness/figure...with of course the goal to be pro someday. Both great opportunities for my personality and both challenging. So I think I'm going to sign up for my first figure show for this spring...hold off on fitness a little longer so I can just focus on the one, and then add fitness later.
We had a lot of people talk to us this weekend...nutritionist, posing coaches, personal trainers, a suit designer, an image consultant and a dance coach. It's a pretty penny to hire all these people to prepare you for competition, but some people are able to get sponsors to help out. I think right now, I know enough to get started, but hiring these "experts" would be beneficial especially in reaching the next level and being more competitive. And takes a little stress off the athlete too. Stay tuned...I'll keep ya posted.
This is mainly a learning experience for me at this point ( : But it's a lot of fun!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Kees (that's me) on Personal Training (Part 1)
Heya! Well it's been a while...a good long while since I scribbled here. I've been working on some other little projects that I will share in time.
One of my jobs is personal trainer (although not working at the moment) and as a personal trainer I have pet peeves at the gym. Well, I had pet peeves at the gym long before I was a personal trainer. I've been working out at gyms since I was 14 and I feel strongly about certain things in a gym atmosphere. Read on...
Because I care...
For the last two months I've been with my husband in California for his work and we've been working out at a fairly small, busy gym. There are things I notice right away about gyms...cleanliness, attitudes, courtesy and how the trainers work with their clients. The other day I was watching a trainer who I'd seen training clients previously. He was working with two females, a mother and daughter I'm guessing. I'd watch him demonstrate a specific exercise or lift, and then he'd have the two females do the exercise.
The form the women used was awful, but it wasn't their fault. Obviously beginners, they're not aware of form. Poor form is the fault of the trainer not paying attention to detail. My knees were hurting just watching, and I kept waiting to hear him give verbal cues. He did give one. He said "Imagine it as if you were sitting." So they did, but knees were over toes, abs were not held tight so there was a bending of the back. Verbal cues are key when working with newer clients, but should be used with all clients.
Why does this bother me...well, let me explain. People develop bad habits, bad habits lead to injury, injury leads to less working out which ultimately leads to illness, and/or a weak body. Americans already struggle enough with stress and diet in our hurry hurry lifestyles. If someone's actually making time to get to the gym, give them proper training. If you're training someone young and they have bad form it's sometimes because specific muscles haven't developed. The client needs to become more aware of form and posture and taught how to strengthen the weak areas.
Now, I'm a real hands on trainer, and I ask permission to touch my client. I will physically move their leg into the 90 degree position it needs to be in for a lunge or squat, or touch their back when I want them squeezing shoulder blades together and all the while reminding them to keep their core tight to protect their back. A good thing to remember when working with people who are newer to lifting, is 90 degree joint movements and don't let knees go over toes. No need to be hurting joints.
I just wish all trainers took the time to teach the right way in the beginning. I know there are a lot that do, but the few that don't can hurt someone. It may take time, but it saves time in the long run. Plus you end up with happy, healthy clients that will come back to you.
If you are the client...ask your trainer to give you cues as you do your lifts. Sometimes trainers feel rushed especially if they're working with multiple clients in one session so they may save time without even realizing it, by not giving as many cues and letting you get away with poor form. Proper lifting form takes time to learn. Be as educated as possible when seeking a personal trainer. Do you want a man or woman to train you? Do you know how long this person has been personal training? What is their education? And, what kind of shape is he or she in? Have you seen them lift or work out? Don't let someone you're paying to help you create a healthier lifestyle assume you know what you're doing. Ask a lot of questions. It's your body! Your life!
One of my jobs is personal trainer (although not working at the moment) and as a personal trainer I have pet peeves at the gym. Well, I had pet peeves at the gym long before I was a personal trainer. I've been working out at gyms since I was 14 and I feel strongly about certain things in a gym atmosphere. Read on...
Because I care...
For the last two months I've been with my husband in California for his work and we've been working out at a fairly small, busy gym. There are things I notice right away about gyms...cleanliness, attitudes, courtesy and how the trainers work with their clients. The other day I was watching a trainer who I'd seen training clients previously. He was working with two females, a mother and daughter I'm guessing. I'd watch him demonstrate a specific exercise or lift, and then he'd have the two females do the exercise.
The form the women used was awful, but it wasn't their fault. Obviously beginners, they're not aware of form. Poor form is the fault of the trainer not paying attention to detail. My knees were hurting just watching, and I kept waiting to hear him give verbal cues. He did give one. He said "Imagine it as if you were sitting." So they did, but knees were over toes, abs were not held tight so there was a bending of the back. Verbal cues are key when working with newer clients, but should be used with all clients.
Why does this bother me...well, let me explain. People develop bad habits, bad habits lead to injury, injury leads to less working out which ultimately leads to illness, and/or a weak body. Americans already struggle enough with stress and diet in our hurry hurry lifestyles. If someone's actually making time to get to the gym, give them proper training. If you're training someone young and they have bad form it's sometimes because specific muscles haven't developed. The client needs to become more aware of form and posture and taught how to strengthen the weak areas.
Now, I'm a real hands on trainer, and I ask permission to touch my client. I will physically move their leg into the 90 degree position it needs to be in for a lunge or squat, or touch their back when I want them squeezing shoulder blades together and all the while reminding them to keep their core tight to protect their back. A good thing to remember when working with people who are newer to lifting, is 90 degree joint movements and don't let knees go over toes. No need to be hurting joints.
I just wish all trainers took the time to teach the right way in the beginning. I know there are a lot that do, but the few that don't can hurt someone. It may take time, but it saves time in the long run. Plus you end up with happy, healthy clients that will come back to you.
If you are the client...ask your trainer to give you cues as you do your lifts. Sometimes trainers feel rushed especially if they're working with multiple clients in one session so they may save time without even realizing it, by not giving as many cues and letting you get away with poor form. Proper lifting form takes time to learn. Be as educated as possible when seeking a personal trainer. Do you want a man or woman to train you? Do you know how long this person has been personal training? What is their education? And, what kind of shape is he or she in? Have you seen them lift or work out? Don't let someone you're paying to help you create a healthier lifestyle assume you know what you're doing. Ask a lot of questions. It's your body! Your life!
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