Strength gains foster strong resolve

Strength gains foster strong resolve

In the beginning

When Frank reported for his first session at my home gym, he was overweight and out of shape. During the 10 years since he’d peaked as a schoolboy rower, a series of night jobs and a lack of motivation had put paid to regular exercise. Coming to the gym also provided an opportunity to take stock of his career prospects in a supportive, progressive environment.

The process

Frank became a regular Saturday morning trainee, initially undergoing a basic strength program with some conditioning thrown in for good measure. The strength training was based on the “Starting Strength” framework, swapping out conventional deadlifts and overhead press for variations with the trap bar to better suit his build. The conditioning was in the form of weighted carries, sandbag routines and pushing the Torque Tank.

Because he was starting off a low base, we took things gradually. For example his starting weight on the barbell squat was sets of five at 30 KG. However each week we added extra weight to the bar such that by the time Frank concluded his novice phase he squatted a set of 5 reps at 100 KG, a remarkable improvement.

Along the way Frank became motivated to go to a local gym during the week, which accelerated his progress. He has also become much more attuned to a diet conducive to his fitness. Further, Frank (who is not a natural scholar) enrolled in a TAFE course, to pursue a long term interest in design.

The outcomes

After passing the novice phase in his weight training with flying colours, we have adapted Frank’s training to reach for some bodybuilding goals. This has seen a wider variety incorporated into his routine, including cable movements and isolation exercises, whilst ensuring that his hard won strength gains are maintained. The conditioning component has also expanded, now including some circuit training and longer routines with the Torque Tank. Frank now also enjoys a pre-prepared protein shake to refuel during the drive home after his sessions.

Happily, the discipline and commitment Frank demonstrates in training have carried over to his studies, which will ultimately pave the way for a career in his field of choice. The future is bright indeed.

In his own words

I really appreciate the Saturday gym sessions with Scott. It’s been great to see the strength gains I’ve made. What’s also been great is that, with Scott’s encouragement, the focus I’ve maintained in the gym has flowed over into making a success of my studies.