Some friends are wondering who I'm working with regarding my off-season training. Alot of people ask, well if you are a trainer, why can't you just train yourself? Well, the truth of the matter is that I absolutely could train myself. However, I strongly feel that every athlete needs a coach to push and motivate them. For kettlebells, I rely on coaches like Anthony DiLugio, Mike Mahler, and Lisa Shaffer to keep me progressing. For competitive body building or figure, I work with Jerry Malina in Austin, TX. When I'm focusing on conditioning and want to switch up the routine, I work with CATZ Sports or Bruce Acuna of Bruce's KO Boxing in Austin, TX. When I'm dieting, I work with Mike Davies of The Fitness Factory (who is just AWESOME). I coach other people so often, that I need someone to help me tweak and perfect my own training routines and challenge me in different ways. Think about it this way - every professional athlete (bodybuilder, figure competitor, football player, baseball player) - they all have the knowlege and experience to train hard and get results...however, they utilize coaches to reach their own ultimate potential. Coaches/trainers are great resources, and I rely on coaches to reach my personal fitness goals, just as others rely on me. There are ways that a coach can push you that you can't achieve alone; in addition, my trainers can spot me instead of me working out by myself. I'm only going to go so far alone :-)
I am actually working with Mike Mahler for the next 3 months to focus on conditioning and fat loss and with Mike Davies on my diet. I discovered Mike in early 2006, at about the same time I discovered Anthony DiLugio and Lisa Shaffer. I met him this past September at a workshop he hosted with Lisa Shaffer in Dallas, TX. I really like Mike's energy, routines, and his focus on true strength & conditioning. So, I decided to become one of his on-line clients as a change of pace. For the first 4 weeks, I rotate between 3 different circuit routines that combine kettlebell and traditional strength drills. I am finishing up the first cycle now and will begin cycle 2 next week.
He designs all of my circuits, and I'm trying to stick with the program exclusively, while adding in some of my own fun training occassionally (like AoS videos). Winter time is the toughest time of year for me to keep up with my kettlebell training since the garage is so cold, but I thought Mike could help keep me motivated and on track. Not to mention, he can help me pull together some loose ends with my own program design.
I plan to return to CATZ Sports in January for spring training. Mike's programs and CATZ will overlap for about a 5 weeks, but it will be fun; I'll likely substitute CATZ for my 2x/week interval cardio sessions that Mike prescribes. Thus far, I've not been as strict with my interval cardio as I am with my training. I tend to do my own thing for cardio. I still get it in, but I change it up alot. So far I'm getting great results and see improvements in my conditioning and overall strength. My goals are to be able to do 1 unassisted pull-up and get back to my normal body weight (160lbs) by March 2008. I plan to return to the competition stage next year, so I need to focus on getting my body conditioned and prepared in the off-season. Training season will begin March 2008. I want to compete in the summer, and I may return to figure just to put on the heels :-)
2 comments:
Nia,
Your having your own trainer is much like the medical practice of not treating one's own family. We learn early in our training that we cannot have the correct perspective when treating family or close friends. We simply are just too close to the situation to treat it objectively. I think this situation applies almost directly to trainers for trainers. And as an interesting aside, one of the most memorable things I heard Bob Harper say on "The Biggest Loser" (yes, I'm a sucker for this show) was that he had to go to his session with his trainer. He then went on to explain that he felt it was very important for everyone who could to have their own trainer.
Jen
P.S. Thank you so much for all of your support. :)
Nia,
Your having your own trainer is much like the medical practice of not treating one's own family. We learn early in our training that we cannot have the correct perspective when treating family or close friends. We simply are just too close to the situation to treat it objectively. I think this situation applies almost directly to trainers for trainers. And as an interesting aside, one of the most memorable things I heard Bob Harper say on "The Biggest Loser" (yes, I'm a sucker for this show) was that he had to go to his session with his trainer. He then went on to explain that he felt it was very important for everyone who could to have their own trainer.
Jen
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