Failure for Strength - A new weight intensity!

I have decided to take an exciting twist in my fitness/weights training, I am embarking down the personal training road!! I wasn't initially mostly because of the costs associated with sessions and as a student our payment comes in knowledge not notes! But I have noticed PT sessions happening around me at the local gym and was transfixed on watching the sessions, I loved the motivation and encouragement the PTs brings and how they tailor sessions to suit the individual and push them when they need it. The clients found the exercise more enjoyable and you could see the joy they get in having someone helping them along to achieve their fitness goals.

My 8 week program was done and I was ready to mix it up and surprise my body again, so while the following 2 weeks have been more pump classes, CX and RPM I have enjoyed my group sessions and was able to give my body a rest from the heavier weights and work on some more stamina. Seeing the PT I had an initial 'measure up' which was optional but I would love to measure my progress and we developed a new fitness plan. And you know what it is? Work to FAILURE!! That's right, you work yourself with the goal to fail! I like it as this is a good way to reaffirm that we often need to fail in order to progress further. The basic plan is to have 5 sets of compound (one after the other) weight exercises and in each set you lift heavier with shorter reps so by the last set and rep you cannot do anymore (if you make the last rep!). I had my first session trialling the weights I should use and although painful I loved the feeling of pushing my body so I couldn't do anymore. The definition of 'failure' is to not be able to push the weights while trying for 5 seconds and you end up going backwards instead of forwards no matter how hard you try. I have never tried to lift as much as I could but was surprised when my bench press was half my body weight and my squats was just over my body weight on my first go!!

A future figure?? ;)

 

I am also going into High intensity or 'HIT' training twice a week to help increase strength but also cardio. I haven't been through these session with the PT yet but can't wait to see what it is like! Even more so I can't wait to see more changes it will bring to me :) There is much improvement to be had!

On another note my new raw protein powder has come in (Yayyyyy!!) The 'Ultimate Warrior' brown rice protein :) So much goodness!

 

I also dehydrated some ripe nectarines I had - 6 hours in the dehydrator for a tasty snack..... yum :)

And I will leave you with some inspiration of two 90 year olds racing the 100m.... I hope I am this fit when I am 90!!

Rockin Raw

xox