What a week!

It's late friday night and I am just looking back at the week that was. Literally every single week our trainers say to each other, "I can't believe we get paid for this!" or "You shouldn't be allowed to have this much fun at work!". The energy that we get from our clients is literally awesome. I don't think I could think of anything else I would rather do than what we are currently doing. We did about 130 individual workouts this week including;

-aerobic boxing with a bride-to-be (1 week) who is feeling like the female version of Rocky right now.
-incredibly high intensity plyometric (explosive bouncing and jumping) movements done against rubber resistance tubing while focusing on catching a soccer ball with a soccer goalie!
-stair climbing at the Dundurn Stairs. 2 clients made to the top for the first time ever!
-outdoor sports drills at Bayfront Park

and finally.....Adam Higson took a pupil of his to Lethbridge, Alberta to compete in a kickboxing tournament, which she won! Jamey English will be going to Thailand in November to compete in a tournament for the King's birthday. Wow.

I myself had the pleasure of working with Jamie West of CHML radio's Health and Wellness show. Jamie has been having major back pain, BUT, today reported that he was actually pain free. About two weeks ago, we did a major overhaul on his training program to focus more on core stability and flexibility and it seems to be working.

The long Canada Day weekend is upon us and I am looking forward to a break, but, can't wait to get back at it next week. Happy Canada Day!

The best workout CD.... EVER!

Besides being a health and fitness guy, I am also an admitted music nut. I have been collecting albums since I was 10 years old and now have over 3000 in vinyl, cassette and CD. I also play guitar and sing (sort of) in a classic rock band called "Swimming to Vegas". In my opinion, life without music would be unliveable. Here is what I would be listening to if I had to put together my all time "Top 10" workout songs:

Enter Sandman- Metallica
I Stand Alone- Godsmack
Eye of the Tiger- Survivor
The Zoo- Scorpions
2 Minutes to Midnight- Iron Maiden
Lakini's Juice- Live
Jessica- Allman Brothers Band
Neon Nights- Black Sabbath
YYZ- Rush
Holy Wars- Megadeth

That's it. Every one of these songs will get my blood pumping and keep me moving when I want to stop.

First things first!

Hello and welcome to the first ever posting of the Renaissance Trainer blog. One of the questions most asked of myself and the other trainers at All Canadian Fitness is; "What do YOU guys eat?". Putting first things first, here are a couple of breakfasts that I had this week before starting a 10 hour day of training and doing business.

Breakfast No. 1

2 poached eggs
2 oz. cheddar cheese
1 multi- grain bagel (from Locke St. Bakery!)
1 cup of coffee (sugar twin and cream)
small bunch of grapes
1 multi-vitamin, 3 fish oil capsules, 1 glucosamine caplet


Breakfast No. 2

3 "muscle crepes" (thin crepes made with whole wheat flour, oatmeal, eggs and water)
1 c. low fat, no sugar yogourt
1 green apple
1cup of coffee (sugar twin and cream)
1 multi-vitamin, 3 fish oil capsules, 1 glucosamine caplet


Breakfast No. 3

scrambled egg whites (about 5)
sauteed peppers, mushrooms
small amount of shredded cheddar cheese
bowl of Red River cereal (sweetened with 2 tbsps. of maple syrup homemade by my father and daughter!)
1 cup of coffee (sugar twin and cream)
1 multi-vitamin, 3 fish oil capsules, 1 glucosamine caplet


Pretty normal stuff really. The point is, you've got to put some complex carbohydrates and some good lean protein into your body if you want to be able to function all day long. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day in terms of speeding metabolism, providing energy and helping your body to stay lean.