Basic fitness session/week 1

Hey, to start this off we need to get some basic fitness going! When I train with my friends in my group this generally starts at the beginning of winter with long runs and minute interval training! However we are generally still fit from the previous year so I am going to post a session that should last around half an hour and will help you build a base to start on where you can progress over the coming weeks! I have been doing this session with a few of the girls I live with out here and they have all come on very well, we timed a loop of a track near us that is around 5km long and each person has managed to improve their best time considerably in just a few weeks!

You may like to plan a route of around the same distance, that you can remember and use as a platform to measure improvement! This is helpful because you can see your progression and improvement which pushes you to continue working hard as you can see your results on the clock!

The session starts with a 5 minute easy jog to warm up, with some basic stretches if desired! If its cold, take care to ensure you feel loose and warmed up even if it means jogging more or combining the jogging with movements such as push ups or what ever you feel you need!

If the following seems too easy for your current fitness level then step up the intervals but keep the rest period the same!

For their first few sessions I got the girls to run the intervals at around 60-70% of their maximum effort and to stride walk the rests!

The session goes as follows:

Warm up, as above
6x30seconds with 30 recovery
6x60seconds with 60 recovery
6x30seconds with 15 recovery
3x30seconds with 30 recovery
5 minutes jog to cool off
Basic stretching

Run     Recover  (seconds)
30         30
30         30
30         30
30         30
30         30
30         30
60         60
60         60
60         60
60         60
60         60
60         60
30         15
30         15
30         15
30         15
30         15
30         15
60         60
60         60
60         60
30         30
30         30
30         30

This may not seem a lot of work on paper as the total time it should take to complete will be around 30 minutes! Ensure that you work hard but not too hard that you don't complete the session. However if you are really struggling take note of where you get to in the session and aim to beat it next time out!
Take note of your heart rate at the end before your cool down, a good range for this session to show your working at the right kind of level would be around 150-170BPM. An easy way to calculate this if you don't have a monitor is to count your heart beats in your neck with your fore finger and middle finger for 15 seconds, them multiply by 4 and you have your BPM!

Remember this should be fun, it may hurt a little but most of that will be in your head! Although if you feel injured in anyway do not attempt to run on and complete the session, you have to read the signs your body gives you so you don't get hurt!

I suggest doing this session 2 days over the next week, on 2 other days I suggest a 30 minute jog, swim or row on a rowing machine, just to ease into training! Also if you fancy doing the times 5km loop, feel free on one of the other days! So just 4 days fairly light training this week!

I will be posting a stretching routine with a video, a few basic core routines and some basic circuits over the following weeks! I will then incorporate weights and some more intense training for those who feel ready to take on the challenge!

Have fun and please comment if this has helped!

Rich.
    

Equipment!

Hey, Im going to post a list of equipment that will be needed or may be helpful to complete sessions posted on here! The first item that is very helpful with many different programs is a stopwatch! They are good for use with interval training and core workouts! The next item is a good pair of running shoes, they should be in good condition, with grip and support as a fair amount of the workouts I post will be circuit or running/walking based! Next is space, for some of the workouts a gym will be required for bars, wall bars, and small dumbbells! However most can be adapted to be completed at home if you don't have access to any of this equipment! Recently I have been using a heart rate monitor made by Polar, I have never really got into using them before now but have found it useful because I'm able to measure the intensity I'm working at and therefore adjust my work rate to suit the Beats Per Minute range I am aiming for! Heart rate monitors are often not cheap, mine was around 100 British pounds. I bought it for my girlfriend however we now share it if training at different times so its kind of half the price! You can pick up basic models though for around 40-50 pounds!

I will be writing separate programs for home and gym use as well as running ones that can be done pretty much any where either on grass, road or running track if you are lucky enough to have access to one!

I may also write a more advanced core strength program if requested including exercises and drills for Planche, Flag, Handstand and other moves that are a lot harder! I am working on these at the moment so will have an idea of how long it takes to learn and get good at them. They look cool and are impressive, although they do have benefits other than just to show off to your friends!

I hope this helps and I can't wait to get started!