OVER THE NEXT number of weeks and months we’re going to bring you a series of training tips with the assistance of personal trainers and coaches from all over the country.
They’ll apply to people of all ages and abilities and whether the summit of your ambition is a 5k run in June or an ultra-marathon next month – though we suspect you’re on top of things if you’re aiming for the latter.
This week we sought the advice of Kieran O’Malley in Galway’s only 24-hour gym, Active Fitness and Leisure on the Dublin Road.
He doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel with his tips, though we’re sure some of you can take something from it.
He reckons going to the gym with a training partner can make a big difference.
“Getting into shape can be an arduous journey but going it alone is much harder.Having a friend to work out with has countless benefits.
“Number one being the temptation to give a session a miss or back off on the last few reps is all too easy when you’re training alone but when you have a gym buddy to consider, slacking is less of an option.
“Not only this, but a partner can correct you on improper technique.
“This is key to an effective workout; for example, if you’re bending your back too much or not squatting low enough, you need to know.
“Having a partner is someone to spot you on the free weight bench, this allows you to lift heavier weights safely and do more reps.
“Apart from pushing you when you would otherwise give in, training with a friend is more fun; the gym shouldn’t be a place of misery and suffering.
“Trudging along on the treadmill can be pretty boring but with a partner beside you you’ll feel more like Rocky and Apollo Creed spiriting on the beach.
“Celebrating success is also a consideration, its difficult at times to objectively assess your progress, it’s not an ego thing but someone knowing that you are progressing in your programme is important.
“Having healthy friends is also beneficial outside the gym, we tend to mirror the behaviour of those around us; if you’re friends with big drinkers you’ll drink more often, etc.
“Given this logic a gym buddy can help you outside the gym too, healthy eating, drinking more water, good recovery habits; all these thing can rub off on training partners and make a huge difference to your fitness.”
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