WHILE IT’S BEEN three weeks since the last fitness diary, the hard work in the gym hasn’t stopped and we’ve reached the seventh week of our programme with The Shelbourne.
After the initial ‘introduction’ process, the real legwork began in earnest as the intensity and frequency of the workouts increased.
Ryan in The Shelbourne last week. The42.ie
The42.ie
We’re now sitting here with just five weeks of this three-month programme remaining and now that the platform has been built, the onus is on strength and power.
If you’ve read the previous installments in this diary, you’ll be aware of what we intended to do as we embarked on this challenge at the back end of January.
As someone with a low body fat percentage, the only aim from these 12 weeks was to add bulk to my slender frame and ultimately use the tools provided to become informed enough to take the lead on this lifestyle.
For a number of reasons, I didn’t write about what has been happening over the last number of weeks. If truth be told, not a lot has happened.
The workouts have been largely consistent and there’s been nothing new to add to what has already been said – but this week served up a sobering dose of realism.
My last progress update was on 6 February, over a month ago, and it was all hugely positive. After one month of working with the team at The Shelbourne’s fitness club, my measurements had increased across the board.
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Yet that initial progress hasn’t quite manifested itself into the results we might have expected at this juncture.
Granted, there’s still five weeks to go and we didn’t set any specific targets to reach but while there’s evident progress in certain aspects, there is still so much work to be done.
As someone who leads a healthy and active lifestyle anyway, I knew exactly what was expected to achieve discernible results and the training element has been hugely enjoyable.
Warming-up for a session. The42.ie
The42.ie
But keeping up with the dietary requirements is a lot more tricky. The nature of this job means there is no rigid working schedule and even then you’re more than likely to be out and about at events and games.
A shift could start at 7.30am or 2pm. Preparation is key but even then you can’t always have pre-prepared food ready to consume at the blink of an eye. It takes work and I probably haven’t quite mastered that balance yet.
That said, I can sit back and be quietly satisfied with how far we’ve come since day one. I’m probably the heaviest and strongest now than I’ve ever been and it’s only heading in one direction.
I get consistently told I’m remarkably strong for someone of my weight (a little over nine stone) and that’s certainly motivating me to build on that and pick up heavier and heavier weights.
The onus is on short, sharp sets with heavy weights. This week’s workout with Simon was a chest one and took a little over 40 minutes.
The details are below and the chest press, chest fly and hex press exercises were all supersetted (done one after the other without a break).
Feeling the burn. The42.ie
The42.ie
This programme has been designed by Simon at The Shelbourne with input from Leinster and Ireland flanker Jordi Murphy.
His call-up to Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad for last week’s game against Italy delayed his involvement in a session but we’re hopeful he’ll make it in before the end of the three months.
After the three week break, I will have an update for you every weekend from now until the end and next week will be a progress update ahead of the final month.
I’m certainly no expert and I’m learning every time I walk into the gym but, as always, if you have a question or query please don’t hesitate to comment below or send me an email at ryan@the42.ie.
More details on The Health Club at The Shelbourne can be found here. Facilities include an 18-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, dance studio and gym furnished with modern equipment.
There are 5 weeks remaining in our gym challenge - here's the latest progress update
WHILE IT’S BEEN three weeks since the last fitness diary, the hard work in the gym hasn’t stopped and we’ve reached the seventh week of our programme with The Shelbourne.
After the initial ‘introduction’ process, the real legwork began in earnest as the intensity and frequency of the workouts increased.
We’re now sitting here with just five weeks of this three-month programme remaining and now that the platform has been built, the onus is on strength and power.
If you’ve read the previous installments in this diary, you’ll be aware of what we intended to do as we embarked on this challenge at the back end of January.
As someone with a low body fat percentage, the only aim from these 12 weeks was to add bulk to my slender frame and ultimately use the tools provided to become informed enough to take the lead on this lifestyle.
For a number of reasons, I didn’t write about what has been happening over the last number of weeks. If truth be told, not a lot has happened.
The workouts have been largely consistent and there’s been nothing new to add to what has already been said – but this week served up a sobering dose of realism.
My last progress update was on 6 February, over a month ago, and it was all hugely positive. After one month of working with the team at The Shelbourne’s fitness club, my measurements had increased across the board.
Yet that initial progress hasn’t quite manifested itself into the results we might have expected at this juncture.
Granted, there’s still five weeks to go and we didn’t set any specific targets to reach but while there’s evident progress in certain aspects, there is still so much work to be done.
As someone who leads a healthy and active lifestyle anyway, I knew exactly what was expected to achieve discernible results and the training element has been hugely enjoyable.
But keeping up with the dietary requirements is a lot more tricky. The nature of this job means there is no rigid working schedule and even then you’re more than likely to be out and about at events and games.
A shift could start at 7.30am or 2pm. Preparation is key but even then you can’t always have pre-prepared food ready to consume at the blink of an eye. It takes work and I probably haven’t quite mastered that balance yet.
That said, I can sit back and be quietly satisfied with how far we’ve come since day one. I’m probably the heaviest and strongest now than I’ve ever been and it’s only heading in one direction.
I get consistently told I’m remarkably strong for someone of my weight (a little over nine stone) and that’s certainly motivating me to build on that and pick up heavier and heavier weights.
The onus is on short, sharp sets with heavy weights. This week’s workout with Simon was a chest one and took a little over 40 minutes.
The details are below and the chest press, chest fly and hex press exercises were all supersetted (done one after the other without a break).
This programme has been designed by Simon at The Shelbourne with input from Leinster and Ireland flanker Jordi Murphy.
His call-up to Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squad for last week’s game against Italy delayed his involvement in a session but we’re hopeful he’ll make it in before the end of the three months.
After the three week break, I will have an update for you every weekend from now until the end and next week will be a progress update ahead of the final month.
I’m certainly no expert and I’m learning every time I walk into the gym but, as always, if you have a question or query please don’t hesitate to comment below or send me an email at ryan@the42.ie.
The previous six diary pieces are available here.
Week 7
More details on The Health Club at The Shelbourne can be found here. Facilities include an 18-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, dance studio and gym furnished with modern equipment.
Thanks to Avonmore for providing Protein Milk.
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