Old school rejuvinated.

Old school training values are making a comeback, in this age of technology scientific know how. It is evident that people are being encouraged to get outside and take a breath of fresh air. It’s cheaper than any gym facility and let’s face it, if someone said 10 years ago, that you’d be watching an episode of Eastenders whilst running “mount Kilimanjaro” at 10kph you’d have told them to go and get their heads examined. But it’s happening, right in front of us. A lot of gyms find it difficult to set up a bike or cross trainer without plugging a flat screen in front of you for "extra motivation”. What a waste of resource and a cop out. You’d be much better investing in one of these machines and wheeling it out in front of your own quality widescreen system. At least you wouldn’t have to strain your eyes and worry about sweating into the electrics!!

Take a search on the internet for a “boot camp” or “outdoor fitness” and a multitude of company’s spring up. From woman only groups promoting pink parades to hard core “eat the dirt” military fitness camps. It’s great to see. Options of being shouted at or being pampered. Beasted at 6am or steady state at 7pm. The one thing they all have in common is the great outdoors. We are all utilising the fantastic parks and tow paths at hand. Kettlebells, sled runs, hill sprints, tyre dragging, hammer throwing! It’s all there. There’s even aerobics, taking the grapevine from the mirrored studio onto the green green grass.

The commercial gyms are doing their bit and providing “powerplate” classes. Having used a powerplate for many years with a private client I can say it has its uses. Well actually one – flexibility training. Power plate definitely develops flexibility. There are also some valuable exercises to improve stability. Nothing that can’t be achieved from standing on a tube for 20 minutes!

On a more serious note, it is obvious that the science of training has accelerated in the last 5 years. Differing methods to achieve your goals are emerging constantly. There is a danger that science intended for the elite athlete may be employed by the beginner. Whilst amazing strides forward in sports science and individual programming have taken place, it is obvious that some of these complex methods have been recruited by the general public.

The higher the level of performance, then the more detail is required to cope with the demands of training loads. No matter what level of performance is being sought, there are some basic fundamentals that never change. Feed the body the right fuels to aid recovery, improve performance and avoid injury. Stretch and increase the flexibility to aid recovery, improve performance and avoid injury. Ensure your goals are realistic for your lifestyle and training history, this way you will aid recovery, improve performance and avoid injury.

As a former Royal Marine, I know what it’s like to be pushed to your limit. I have been on and passed the world’s toughest boot camp of them all. The punishment I allowed my body to undergo was relevant to the goal that I had set myself. Choose the outdoor session that is relevant to your needs. It should push you hard enough to get you out of your comfort zone, at the same time allowing you to get up the next day and continue with day to day life, and another training session if planned. For some there are light hearted fun sessions, for others the fun comes at the end when you’ve finished the drills. Whatever your taste in training there is something there for everyone. Make sure your chosen venue has a first aid system (not just a first aid bag!); insured and they get you to fill out a pre exercise questionnaire that asks about previous injuries and illnesses. They all will, but just make sure!

Enjoy the outdoor freshness. If it’s working, then you’ll wake up one morning and take yourself out there for a session of your own.

Old school is not dead; it’s been meandering through all the technology and will outlive the machines. Get out there and row, run, bike, throw, jump and pull.