Back from the gym

Just got back from a 2 hour workout:

30 minute high intensity cycle at 300 watts and 180 bpm.

Heavy weights (chest, arms, shoulders)

loooong stretch session to cool down.

Anyway, in the weights room I got thinking between sets about a few things.  Firstly, why am I standing in a room full of muscly sweaty guys?  This is not a good look…

Secondly, why is it that I’m the smallest guy in here?  I’m 6 foot and 83kg, with not much body fat, and yet I’m about 50 kg smaller than EVERY other guy!  It can be pretty disconcerting when you’re looking up at 10 stacked skin head Polish guys with biceps the size of fat chicks as they wait for you to finish using the bench.  Now, what got me thinking was, even though these guys are stacked, they can’t actually lift that much more weight than I can.  I think it must be something about the way the train (or the bullshark hormones they inject) that means that they have massive bulk but little strength in comparison.  I mean, although they have arms that could strangle an elephant, I was still bicep curling more than them, with ease.

I think that sailing gives you a hell of a lot of arm strength, and also builds the stabilising muscles around your shoulders to allow you to generate the power needed.  When these guys (who practically live in the gym) are curling 20kgs, and the little guy is curling 28kgs, it seems like they are missing something in their training.  My opinion?  Simply lifting weights will never get you fit for sailing and will only ever build Hollywood muscles rather than all over core strength, and will also mean that you spend your life looking at muscly Polish guys more than your girlfriend…

Daily training

Due to our lack of competition recently, I’ve not had a whole lot to write about.  We’re in Hayling island tomorrow for an event, so I’ll give an update tomorrow afternoon.

To fill the gap, I’m going to give a run down of my weekly fitness program.  If you have any comments or suggestions, give me a shout.

Monday: Depending on the level of sailing on the weekend, I will either aim for a heavy weights session (if Light winds on Sunday) or a long ride (if strong winds).  I generally aim for a day off on Monday if we ripped it on the weekend.

Tuesday: 45-60 minute bike ride at sub-lactate levels.  Heavy weights session in afternoon: Biceps, chest and quads

Wednesday: 45-60 minute cycling at sub-lactate levels in morning.  Rest until afternoon.  25 minute lactate threshold ride at 180 bpms.

Thursday: Heavy weights session: Triceps, Back and shoulders

Friday:  45 minute cycle at sub-lactate levels.  If competing on Saturday, afternoon off.  if training, heavy weights session on chest, biceps and legs.

Saturday: No competition? Then training (3 hours on water) follwed by 1 hour 20 minutes cycle.

Sunday:  No competition?  3 hours training followed by 1 hour cycle.

Tips and advice

Hi guys,

We’ve recently recieved a fair few questions regarding sailing techniques, gear issues etc.  We just wanted to say that, if you have any questions regarding 49er and 29er sailing, then feel free to ask away.  We’ve both campaigned skiffs to the highest level, with Jus winning the 29er Youth Worlds in 2005, and are more than willing to help with any questions you have.  Furthermore, I’ve got a degree in Sports Science, so if you have any fitness and workout related questions, then fire away!

Thanks,

Team Visser