I hope you’ve had a good Bank holiday weekend – I was out at Beverley on Sunday and it was breezy as hell!  NOT The place to be relaxing at with friends.

Anyway, What’s been annoying me lately (and for some considerable time now) - is the whole LAZY APPROACH to feeling and looking better.  The ” I REALLY want to be slim……but I want to eat this massive pizza most nights”………”is there a quick fix like a pill or some fat blasting machine please?!!! ” …approach.  The worst thing is that you probably know people who actually say this!

Not the best fat loss food . . . .

This lazy approach………..It’s like it’s infected our whole culture. People are remaining there jobless, when theres plenty of charities that need help……why not volunteer?  Why not offer to be someone’s help at their job, and let them mentor you (like an apprenticeship).  A neighbour near me – the daughters boyfriend knocked on my door the other day and offered to clean my windows for a couple of quid!  Thats commitment……and he doesn’t even NEED a SECOND job!  I’m not sure if this “If I sit here long enough and it will come” mentality has come into the fitness world (im sure it has, a long time ago)……but I am increasingly worried its worse than I thought.

Case in point, Power plates for fat loss. The fact that this is ANOTHER GIMMICK, that has been created to serve the lazy man and women.  FAIR ENOUGH, the person using it is actually doing some work (like a typical resistance session)…….as opposed to those that wash down diet pills and hope for the best………but the majority of the research has shown very little or no effects on fat loss! What the research does show, is that muscle recruitment can be increased - and so benefits mainly the elderly or those that are recovering from injury - In a nutshell….. …those that already have weakened muscles!  I don’t know about you but I would rather be on the ladder to get the strongest – not the ladder that will run out of space in a few weeks. 

Many will say “Oh but Cammish, you can really feeeeeeeeeeeeeeel it the next day!”

I tell you what…………If I held on to a Pneumatic drill for an hour I amm SURE I would know about it the next day.  MY GOD…….My hamstrings and lower back were totally caned after hand-painting the decking in my garden a few Sundays ago!   Does that mean my hamstrings and lower back are weak? Does that mean that I need to do some more – or heavier deadlifts and glute ham raises or leg curls?  NO!!!  All it means is that it was a new stimulus, and that my body is not used to it. That’s it! 

 The further we get away from looking at the effectiveness of a training session from a No Pain, No Gain mentality the better.  What we actually need to look at …….is an improvement in PERFORMANCE……NOT an increase in Pain.

Anyway, You know what? I thought I had seen it all. Seriously, nearly every ‘workout-at-home’ product I have seen has been as somewhat of a joke.

Heres a hilarious video you must SERIOUSLY CHECK OUT!!! 

Did you laugh?  I sure as hell did.   I don’t know if it was the crudeness aspect (YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!) or the fact that it is such a ridiculous product.

It is a ridiculous product ……………………… do you agree?  

Its a simple yes / no answer.

If you disagree – then go ahead and buy it…..and let me know how you get on with this “fat burning miracle” that can get better results than a pair of dumbells in less than a quarter of the time.  Where is the science? 

If you agree that this is a ridiculous product……….can you see any resemblence between this and the ‘oh-so-amazing, fat burning, toe-tickling, orgasm-producing power plate?!!!”

Leave your comments below – you must be logged in to comment, and also you may need to click on the title of the blog post at the top of the page to bring up the comment box

Haha, I thought I had seen it all.

John Cammish

John Cammish (BSC) is a local East Yorkshire Fitness Bootcamp Instructor and real-world fat loss expert. He has helped countless individuals change their lives through postive habits with a focus on tried and tested methods. For more details about Personal Training, Fitness Bootcamps, Free Articles and more – check his website (www.johncammish.co.uk)

Have you been watching “Who Knows Best” (Channel 4)?  I think it’s a really interesting show - In a nutshell, it gets 2 experts of a given subject
(last weeks topic was unemployment managers, the week before it was child sleep experts), and each expert use their contrasting methods to solve a problem.

Well, last nights episode was on the big one………OBESITY.

Obesity is a big worry at the moment. You might have read my article the Calorie Conundrum, where I provided a link to a recent NHS report on obesity statistics.

You can get that by reading the calories article here (click), or go straight to the NHS report here (click).  You will need to be a member of the site to read the article
you can become a member for free by registering here (click).

Anyway back to the show. One bbesity expert was a psychopherapist who described her approach as ‘holistic.’  She used psychological talks, and talked to the person with the obesity problem…..helping them thorough it with mental techniques. 

The other expert was some gung-ho personal trainer, who believed that all obese people were lazy………..and used exercise and dietary tips to solve the problem. They both had 6 weeks to shed as much weight as they could off their respective participants.

I for one........hope not.

The Results

The Personal trainer’s lady lost 22lbs.  The hypnotherapist’s lady lost 6lbs.

Pretty conclusive – do you agree?

The hypnotherapist argued that her method would have long-term benefits, and that the personal trainers method was only a quick-fix. He called bullsh*t, and that he won the challenge fair and square.

What annoyed me about the whole program though – was the attitude of the Personal Trainer. He was aggressive, swearing, unsympathetic, judgemental – all the things that fitness professionals like myself try to get away from!  I’m pretty sure it will have been hyped for TV, but nonetheless – This stereotype needs to die. 

From the program, I learned  things:

1. If the therapist had simply used some dietary and exercise modifications, she would have had a lot more success.

2. If the Personal trainer had put himself in his participants shoes and been a bit more sympathetic……he would have  got more success – and been a bit more liked!

3. There is more than one way to lose weight……..however diet and exercise remain top priorities.

Did you see the program?  What did you think? Did you think the therapist’s method would work longer term?

Please comment!

John

PS I managed to do my first leg resistance work as my ankle is up to bodyweight squats now. Good to get back into them!

I was scouring the net the other night and found a really interesting story.  It was about childhood obesity……..and that a school in America is sending out report cards telling their parents that their child is too fat, unfit etc.

Heres the news story:   Please read it!

—–> A Weighty Issue: Mass. Schools’ ‘Fat’ Report Cards Crossing the Line?

With Childhood obesity rates spiralling out of control (both over there and over here in the UK) I want to know what you think……..and I want you to leave a comment below!

1. Do you think this needs to be done? (As parents are not doing enough when it comes to what their child eats)

2. Do you think this is nothing to do with the school and that this is pure a family matter?

I think this is a very important matter, and whether or not this is right or wrong –  I would really like to hear your views.

John

Well, as I write this………..I have my left ankle jacked up on a stool with some cushions, with a large bag of frozen peas on top.  Yep, last night I snapped ankle ligaments…………..and I was playing football.

What has got me thinking though, is the fact that I have NEVER been injured from weight training (aside from a stupid bodypump class where I twisted quickly because a microphone wasn’t working properly).   Yes, I have been sore (haven’t we all), but never have I pulled muscles or strained cartilages or ligaments from a controlled weight lifting program.   

Notice I said Controlled.

I have had parents tell me that their children should not lift any weight at all, be it in a gym, a garage or at home.  They say it’s too dangerous and that they might get hurt.  What strikes me, is that it’s all very odd……this bias I mean.

Parents have no qualms about their little lad playing football, where there is over 1000 x greater risk of injury than in a controlled resistance program (see the stats below if you think I’m exagerating).  If you can imagine that a young lad of 12 might deadlift 10-15-20kg or so straight up and down, in a very controlled manner someone would claim “thats too much for his age….he’s only 12.”   Yet, no one will think twice about the same 12 year old involved in a football match with the possibility (or probability) of  another 40-50kg boy putting his weight on his knee / ankle / foot (insert other bodypart here). 

This is not simply ‘weight’ either………when that 40-50kg is put through a size 5 shoe, it will increase the overall pressure and therefore the overall damage.

This post is not against football, (or any sport for that matter), just a little thought provoking on my part about the risks involved of different activities. I will probably never give up my football!

In fact, check out these numbers on injury rates in different sports:

Sport Injuries (per 100 participation hours)

So there you have it. Weightlifting is safe. If anyone who wants to tell you otherwise – send them to this page.

 Anyways, I’m back to change my frozen peas!

John

Did this lead to a cancelled Bootcamp?  

I think you know the answer.

We wrapped our straps around trees, made a sled run, and get the barbell and dumbells nearby.  This made for big-bang exercises that boost your metabolism like suspended push ups, recline rows, push press, walking lunges and some star jumps thrown in for good measure.  Of course we didn’t complete the training session without a big dose of 70kg  sled.

 The sled asks: Are you ready to train?

It’s interesting when you hear that people are surprised, and even shocked, at the thought of training in torrential rain.  Yet it’s ok for kids to play football or rugby  – but resistance training and conditioning?  You must be mad! – They say!

Afterwards, the bootcampers were a long time warm, and said they felt refreshed for coming down. I think some took it a bit wild on the sled the first time (You know who you are  )

Today we had 2 more bootcamps and the ground was damp, and a lot more fun went down.  The first taste of the sled is always the best!  We also rocked the sandbag, which is always interesting.  (Did you see the sandbag video in the last post?  CLICK HERE TO SEE IT) 

Next week, I’m looking forward to more of the same.  Can’t wait.

Have good week,

John

On Saturday in the Mens Strength and Conditioning Bootcamp, We all gave it a good beasting – testing our real-world strength out on the field.  It is a lot harder lifting a sandbag than a weighted barbell. 

You intrigued to what it looks like being used?  Check it out:

This dude made it look easy!   I don’t know how much is in there but when we load our sandbag up – It is a beast that won’t help you out one bit.

This is just one of the tools used in my Bootcamps, and provide a lot more fun and real-life work that will help you get stronger and leaner.  I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about power plates for muscle growth and fat loss? In my opinion, do they work?

No!!!!  

I do think they could be good for older people that are prone to trips and falls, and in a rehabilitation setting - like I said 18 months ago in this Questions and Answers article.  

By the way – If you didn’t know, there are two new Bootcamp times for the next few weeks.   6.30am on a Tuesday, and again 9.30am on a Tuesday. Click here for the dates and tims of all Bootcamps.

Ring me on 07762772671 to book on Bootcamp – theres a lot of interest already and places are limited…………so don’t miss out!  You really have nothing to lose,  and everything to gain.

John

You're super busy so you train super early!

The reason I ask is because Tuesday 6th July is going to be FREE BOOTCAMP MORNING!  

2 top conditioning tools

Not 1 but 2(!), yes – 2 free outdoor exercise classes are going down at Pickering Park Playing Field 

First one for you early birds at 6.30am, and another for you who need your exercise kick a little later at 9.30am. Both are mixed for men and women, there is plenty of resistance to go around……………don’t for a minute think that you”ll be lifting 4kg for tricep kickbacks!

If you happen to exercise at one of these times and don’t give it a go – what can I say, you’ ll be missing out.

If you don’t know what goes down at the Bootcamps, below are some pics and a video!

Bootcamp Pics Page 1

Bootcamp Pics Page 2

Bootcamp video!(Mens)

It’s first come first served, so you need to email me (John Cammish) at fitness@johncammish.co.uk, or contact me on 07762772671.

• 6.30am
• 9.30am         ………………..Where ya goin’ to be?

see you there!

John

So, what happened yesterday?

No doubt you saw it?  Another hapless England performance, another 4 years til the nation goes crazy again.

I thought i’d offer it up to discussion – what do YOU think went wrong?   Leave a comment below.

If you want my opinion, yes I think mr Capello didn’t make the right decisions in his system (4-4-2? Everyone knows how to play against that these days – and is a defensive and inflexible formation) and his tactics were way off (no Crouchy on, and when he did, he played for about 7 mins against Algeria). You don’t leave your most prolific goalscorer out when you need the goals. (CLICK HERE!)

The players were the ones at fault – but he put them on the pitch.  He always said “injured players won’t go to Africa.”  What happened? He made a big song and dance about having Gareth Barry there to protect the Centre-backs, who yesterday went AWOL.  Gerrard and Lampard playing in the same team, after what seems like 8 years of not being able to play alongside each other. Heskey?  Need I say more? If you say he does a good job for the team then Crouch does about the same – and bags you a load of goals.

I’m getting frustrated typing this now!

Leave your comments below!

John

I’ve only missed around 2 hours or so of the games, and I’m loving the 3-games-a-day setup.  Pity it only lasts for so long!  :(  

Anyway, since I really want to see most of the games – guess what?   I am consciously working a lot harder at other times………………….just so that I can treat myself with some football!!  

What’s this got to do with you and your training?   Well, quite a lot.

Earn it, and really earn it

Do you sometimes miss a training session, or find yourself wolfing high-calorie snack foods because there’s nothing else around? Many will say ‘no,’  and claim they will make it up to themselves with some exercise or some healthier food ‘tomorrow.’    Almost like the whole credit-card thing…………..people spend what they don’t have, and then realise they didn’t just ’spend’…………………they ‘over-spent!’   

It can be the same with food. You over-eat, and then again, and before you know it – you haven’t done what you said and ‘exercise tomorrow.’

One way of getting around this is making a treat for yourself – after you have done your task. 

What do you enjoy doing? Maybe it’s the football, sitting in the sunny garden……..or even indulging in a little treat or meal out!  Why not plan a treat specific to you and your plan.

You will:

1. More than likely get it done – as there is an immediate reward
2. You will more than likely get it done quicker because you’re not multi-tasking……..when it’s done – you get your reward.
3. You won’t put off your important task ’til tomorrow’ (or whenever)  – if you do your taks you get your reward.   If you don’t ………You don’t!

If you’ll excuse me, I now have to write some programs before the Argentina game

Hope you’re supporting England tomorrow night, big game and I’m confident.

COME ON ENGLAND!!

John

www.johncammish.co.uk

PS  Even though Heskey played well – I’d still have Crouchy on.   Same role,  better feet 

A few weeks ago, I was about to train client as usual.  A bloke told me some of the advice he received on fat loss and increasing stamina – and I shook my head in disbelief.

“Get on the cross trainer, and do 3 minutes forwards –  and then 3 minutes backwards a couple of times”   

 What a load of  s***e!    My mind was thinking – who has said this?  ……..I wont name names, but i will mention that it came from someone in fitness. It’s not another personal trainer, but it is someone who should know better than to give out advice when they do not know what they are talking about.

The man was then shown a protocol by myself using high intensity intervals.  (Hope it’s doing you well if you’re reading !   )

By his own admission, he said he was told by someone who “doesnt look like he works out himself!”

This is exactly what is wrong with things today.  People are getting conned by people that are more interested in selling a non-negotiable 12 month contracts and boosting their chance of a bonus, when the people coming through the door are needing help.  (Click this link for more!)

 You have a better options than asking someone who has a vested interest in seeing you struggle by at the gym for months and months…..and makign sure you’re renewing your contract. 

Here a few tips

1. Go to an expert.  What have they done for people?  Have they addressed a problem for someone that you too might have?  If you’re overweight, look for someone who specialises in fat loss.  If you need to improve your speed, go to someone who has got people faster.   Get my drift?

2. See someone who looks good? Ask them what they do!  Unless they’re really busy, most people will give up 5 mins of their time to show you 1 or 2 exercises, and what to do. If you’re just starting out, you probably only need 4-5 exercises to start with anyway.   Hey, and this person can’t help you?  Copy them!

3. Read, read and read some more!  There is so much information out there now it’s untrue.  I even have my own article page right here ——>  ARTICLES PAGE

The only thing I would warn about is that there is a lot of crap out there too.  Learn to trust some sources that have worked for others(maybe friends you know?) and be open to trying different things.  Most new clients that come to me are still surprised when i discuss why the fat burning zone is a total myth, and has been promoted over and over – to help sell more gym memberships, and much much more.

On a much lighter note, I’m away tomorrow for a break away!

Bootcamp are moving outside for the summer! (And probably some hardcore ones outside in the winter!) 

Bootcamps starting again on Saturday June 12th for the men, and there will be mixed men and women sessions from June 14th

You can check the dates and venues for the mens bootcamps HERE and the mixed mens and womens bootcamps HERE

See you soon,

John