Goodness me!! Some of the things you hear make you wonder some days. One of the best excuses for not coming in to the Club was that someone wanted to 'get fit before they go to the gym'!!! That's like saying you want to clean the house before the cleaner comes, or do a grease and oil change before taking your car in for a service.

Why do people think this? Perhaps it's the Fitness Industry that is to blame - all that advertising with beautiful people sitting on an exercise bike, and looking meaninfully into the camera. It's just not real...I've even been guilty of that.

The majority of our members are over 40, so the chances of us having that sort of rock hard body at that stage of our lives, post babies especially, is not that high.

All I want is for someone to train to the best of their ability, be consistent with their attendance and the rest will look after itself.

I'm not saying that 40 year olds can't have an awesome body, but by that stage we realise that the body is a vehicle to get us through life, and we're looking for reliability not the wow factor.

The wow factor actually comes from within, the way you present yourself when you feel healthier and more confident.

How can damaging the muscle cells be good for you?

You know that feeling you get a day or two after a solid workout? The one that makes you not want to go back to the Club for another workout? It's actually a sign that your body is repairing itself after the thousands and thousands of micro-tears that exercise have caused.

For the first 12 to 24 hours after a workout, the muscles actually work very hard to maintain their integrity before giving in and repairing themselves. The exercise you do actually causes tiny tears in the muscle cells. It's the process of repairing the damage that causes your metabolism to be boosted.

A workout that incorporates some weight resistance work such as push ups, crunches, squats etc will cause more damage to your muscles generally than a cardio session, so is better value. You still need to get a cardiovascular workout in on a regular basis, but the long term benefits of resistance training are amazing.

Come and see me in the Club for more info on how to maximise your results

Kokoda Trek 2011

EFM Health Clubs Geelong and Kokoda Bros are combining to provide members, friends, family and Barwon Health staff with the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of heroes.

Departing in May 2011, we will be trekking the famous Kokoda Trail, site of heroic battles fought during World War II by Australian troops to repel an advance by the Japanese, intent on controlling the Pacific.

Experience first hand some of the challenges that our soldiers faced, and challenge yourself to complete the 96km trek over some of the most amazing terrain you will ever see.

The Trek includes 8 days/7 nights on the track, with flights, accomodation, transfers, trek meals, and a comprehensive training program.

If you want to see just how tough you are, just how far you can extend yourself, just what you are made of, contact me to express your interest.

I completed my first trek in 2009, and for me it was a life changing experience. I came back believing in myself fully for the first time in my life. No more doubts, just a can do attitude.

Random thoughts close to the weekend

Those who think that something can't be done should stay out of the way of those who think it can.