Client-Trainer Progress (SS)

It is time once again for one of my favourite projects of the PFC program; client/trainer relationships. I was paired with SS this time around. I was quite pleased with this pairing as SS and I have become  friends since joining this course in September 2011. Not only have we become friends but we also have learned what fuels one another. This knowledge had already helped us achieve some personal bests before we officially began working with each other. I knew what to expect from SS, he is someone who expects a lot from himself and once you get to know him you quickly learn he can deliver. One of the goals SS wanted me to help him with was dumbbell chest pressing 60 lbs for 8 reps. Not only has he achieved this goal, he has moved up to 70 lbs and is currently completing 2 sets of 10.  SS is willing to put in the work to better himself and it is quite apparent.

We have entered our last month of the program, and I must say it is bitter sweet. I am going to be sad to move on as the class is so close knit and I have met some great people while in this program. At the same time though it is an amazing feeling to look back and see where I started and where I am now. I have learned so much and am ready to extend my knowledge to anyone interested in achieving a balanced life. I can assure you this month is going to be one of great results for both SS and I. I'm ready to give all I have to better myself and help my client achieve his goals. Let's do this!

Dumbbell Chest Press

The dumbbell chest press is one of my favourite strength exercises to perform. I prefer to use it as a complement to a bench press because both arms are working independently from one another to achieve the lift. This helps to further define the balance between your muscles. Dumbbell chest press can be done in a variety of ways some including: incline, decline or flat bench, swiss ball or on a step. Here are the steps on how to perform this exercise:

1. Lay down on the bench in a supinated position with weights straight over the chest, holding them with a closed grip.

2. Bend your elbows and lower the arms down until the elbows are just below the chest. (Refer to picture)

3. Push the weights back up making sure not to lock your elbows and draw the weights together.

4. Repeat for 3 sets of 8-15 repetitions.

400 meters of...GAIN

Today as part of a TMF (Team Medix Fitness) fitness test, myself and two classmates partook in a 400m lunge test around a local high school track. This task really helped prove the relationship between physical and mental toughness for me. As I began to tackle the task at hand I quickly realized that this was no easy feet. I felt a quick onslaught of something I had began to become accustomed to, muscle BURN. I had to push onward knowing that the reward would far out shadow the 15 minutes of pure burn. I caught up to my fellow classmate and client/trainer partner SS about 75 meters in. I have gotten used to working with SS over my time at Medix and knew that we could help push each other through this. So lunge by lunge we made our way towards the halfway point, cursing and sweating along the way. Rounding the corner on our way "home" is when the shear will took over and our minds began removing the pain from our shaky and exhausted legs. What followed this, was at the time necessity and now looking back hilarious. Loud and deep grunts and screams pushing through the last 100 meters. As we approached the "finish line" our teacher and coach Rob was offering his support and further helped us push past the final few lunges. After we crossed the line we both collapsed in a heap. I was in anguish but strangely enough at the same time found solace in what I had achieved. It's moments like these that reinstate why I am becoming a trainer, to someday help anyone experience the euphoria that is holistic fitness.