Jamie Spencer wins the first ever Gym Athlete Of The Year Award.

2009 saw the introduction of Gym Athlete Of the Year by the UK GCA.This award does reflect the fittest and most wins in one year by any one athlete. This award is presented to the person who has contributed the most in promoting X Training - being at events and earning fitness points throughout the year(2009).

There can be little doubt in  anybody's mind that this title is thoroughly deserved as was last years winner Aidy Cartwright and previous winner Andy Lett , who won on a voting system. This year was a slightly different format with Fitness Points being awarded as events went by and Jamie amassed more points then anybody else.

WGC caught up with Jamie and asked him a few questions.

How do you train and motivate yourself?

Training for the events has been tricky, but I've stuck with the basic exercises and mixed up the order in which I  run through them, trying them in all the different combinations that come up in the races. My main motivation is to always have improved on my previous years times, and now with the league running to keep gaining points for that. 

What sort of food do you eat?
I eat reasonably healthy food generally but get through plenty of packets of biscuits and ice creams as well.

Cardio or weights?
I always preferred weight training more but find myself getting into the cardio more and more.

Were you pleased with the outcome of The Brighton Nut Cracker?
Everybody was pleased with the event from the club that entered and those that traveled to it. I was happy with the day and look forward to next year and a regular pattern for events at Corals for X Training.

How do you see this year?
I like the xtraining environment and its full of great people. I think its kind of fell away this year for lots of different reasons but I see it picking up again as 2010 progress. It would be good to see people here get as involved as much as the folk in Iceland do.

Do you see X Training catching on at clubs
Not to any great lengths, most people only want to try it once and haven't got it in them to do this kind of training regularly. There is a lot of commitment in getting results, most people think they can join a gym and you automatically get fit - its not like that, you have to work at it, and that means breaking into a sweat and pushing yourself. If you take it easy at the gym, you will be rewarded with just that. A easy lifestyle. Nothing is easy in fitness and you do have to push yourself to get results.
 
Do you think X Training is good for members?

Only as something to interest the members in the short term - there are a lot of classes run daily and some very good ones. Those that know about training can benefit from these, but those that turn up and have a burger after, or are just attending twice a week - well its something, but they do need to question if they are getting results in fitness.
 

A few members tried X Training at Brighton - are they still trying it?
No. The training for it is a 100% commitment and I generally find that although people like it first time round, there is little from the club to encourage people to take part and so they tend to stick to training for their own goals - which as long as they are coming to the gym, and getting the results they wanted is a fair exchange. I can only speak for myself this year. I have improved massively fitness wise, I am always motivated and now I have Gym Athlete Of The Year - I'm well chuffed.
 
Would you like to see more women in the sport
Definitely
 

Ten years from now - X Training is massive, participated worldwide with inter gym competitions and sporting celebrities taking part. The final clash is a showdown between Football and Rugby - who would win on the WGC course?
Rugby

How did you find the Fitbrit final
Mmm, fitbrit was a bit of farce really, there was no judging going on, just somebody to count reps however unrep like the rep may be. But it did draw in potential xtrainers. So next year if people get interested and are looking for a proper XTE with judging and heavier weights, the X Training circuit in the UK is definitely the place to do it.

Battle of the Gyms

Rich Ainley.

Tell me about the lead up to this challenge today - How did your guys react to it in the gym?

They were up for it, something a bit different. The benefit of racing someone from another club rather than racing who you have been training with makes it such a big difference. We have been training in the club every Saturday morning for the past three weeks and we had 12 last week just running through the course. Of the guys, four of them hadn't’t done any x training at all and we had a run through it and show them the course - they only had a weeks training and three of them turned up today.

Today you must be really pleased with Rochdale’s turnout, 20 people all traveling down some for the first event – what do you think about that…?

I think it is great that we got 20 people from the one club in such a small space of time. The idea of it being a £5 to enter just covers the cost of the event rather than being put off by £20/£30 quid and the fact that you got a group of people who are gonna support you, means that you are gonna get the novices involved rather than having say someone who enters events regularly who may have entered five or six competitions before I think helped today.

Tell me about this Battle of the Roses that you think will be quite a good concept?

Well I think if we take today's results, many other clubs in or around Manchester could produce teams with similar times. – we have got other gyms in Manchester who are quite keen to give it a go. Fitness First have lots of gyms and if can get a few people interested in the Lancashire it would see a start of a annual challenge. Aidy Cartwiright who was at our club before had a big thing with worldgymchallenge, he is at Pontefract now, but Bradford, Halifax and Leeds were to get involved involved and clubs within M62 belt - if we keep it cheap to enter then Fitness First Clubs Yorkshire versus Lancashire -War Of The Roses! It would be amazing and I bet there would be an amazing atmosphere.

Where would you like to host it? Here at Whitefield?

Here is a good venue because it is a long narrow studio. It is good to get three lanes head to head. But for War of the roses we will probably have two lanes. Huddersfield might have a good place for it. Halifax has got a real good studio as well, no reason why we cant host it here one year and have a return match 6 months later in Halifax maybe?

You’re the health and fitness manager, how do you get time to train?

You fit it in. If I wasn't’t in to my fitness I would not work in fitness, simple as that. I do a couple of spin classes a week a bit of interval training which gets me ready for the events and if you put your mind to it and it's something you enjoy doing you'll do it. Sometimes I come to work at half 6 and train for a couple of hours before I start and if need be I will train afterwards too.

Have you done the Ironman?

One indoor and then myself and Andy Lett went to Switzerland. last year I went to Lanzarote, not a quick time but I have done it. I might do one more but I am focusing on stuff I have to do for myself . I enjoy running and challenging myself.

What do you prefer do you prefer the ultra distance or the short term endurance?

I get a kick personally knowing that I have gone the distance simply as that -either long endurance events or Ultra FIT events. I am looking forward to doing an ultra run this year I have never gone beyond marathon on my feet -can I do a 50 miler? can I do a 100 miler ?It is a different kind of challenge that is what make me tick

Give me a quick view on Rochdale's outstanding performance today and tell me about the buzz at Rochdale?

You get a couple of people involved who have never been involved , but someone like Andy Let will often inform others about the sport and get some new people interested. He has done loads to try and get people into X Training. Jamie Fraser is a good Gym Athlete and so is Alan Bowker who are all here today . Andy has basically got all the interest at Rochdale and at Preston ,he is the one who got me involved in the first place so if it comes from a member they tend to have a better interaction with them then the staff unfortunately.

What's the reaction from the staff and members around Andy at Rochdale?

Superman! Anyone who can do 30 minute plank is a bit of a legend. He is consistent with his training, he trains hard at both clubs (Preston) He has got good methods and he knows the kit inside out and that plays a big part in helping others get involved.

Andy Lett

How did you enjoy today?

Really enjoyed it. Shame about Whitefield not really having a full team, but maybe in time. I am looking forward to more of the Yorkshire clubs becoming more involved - I think that is the next stage. Cheshire too perhaps? But one step at a time

How do you feel about War of the Roses?

Well, why not? I think its a great idea. Even the thought of a little league - six teams from Manchester, six teams from Yorkshire. I train at Preston and I know they would be interested and perhaps teams form Pontefract with Aidy being there he could perhaps poole Huddesrsfield and Halifax together - who knows? The team aspect of X Training has a lot of potential and looks good for the future.

As one of the most experienced and respected guys in X Training what are your views at the moment?

I've had a quiet year this year , I did Brighton and Luton and then came off the scene a little bit, not because of politics but for personal reasons and X Training you have to train and commit and my heart wasn't really in it for a while. But today I have really , really enjoyed it. It's fair to say X Training is going through a little bit of a quiet phase, but hopefully it will come strong again next year. I'm certainly going to try and enter as many comps as I can and I love the prospect of the northwest challenges. X Training has it roots from the Manchester area and Id like to see the team event develop from here too

What do see as the benefits of the events like today which are more local?

I think the concept is there. Cheap to enter, only a maximum of an hour in the car and a huge opportunity to increase the sport. If the Midlands and the south do the same, we could easily have a meet for a big competition once a year. That would be brilliant - getting the gyms to compete against each other as teams.

Neal Killen

Tell me about the Fitness First prize you won?

It was in the year 2000. I won a car and free lifetime membership to Fitness First by taking part in a inter gym competition. It was similar to a cross training challenge but based over a whole day, lots of events, weights, circuits training, reaction time - all to test you and I was lucky enough to win at the end, which also included a Peugeot 106.

What do you think of today?

I enjoyed it. A long day but full of good spirit. Everybody is very happy and I hope to bring my time down.

If you don't mind me asking Neal - How old are you ?

I'm 50 now.

An incredible performance - well done

Craig Horsfield

What do you think of today?

Very good, great atmosphere. A lot of good performances, particularly from people who are new to the sport.

How's your training been recently?

Slightly off the boil over the last few months. A lot of work pressure has kept from training properly- but this event has brought me back on target. I'm slowly putting more training in the gym and building up to performing better. I'm not disappointed with my time today as I know I can go faster, but for the training I did - this is a good result for me but this now means I'm more focused to step up the training again.

What's your focus for next year?

I'm hoping to get bigger and stronger!

How much money have you raised this year for charity?

Around £1900 more or less. The beginning of the year I completed four marathons on the treadmill, rower, X Trainer and then the London Marathon. It took it out of me, but all worth it in the end.

Tell me about the spirit at Gorton Fitness First?

Its amazing. Great bunch of guys involved in X Training there. We spur each other on, train together and there's a good element of competition,which we all like. We also have a laugh and between us, we are all really enjoying it.

Alan Bowker

How do you feel about today?

Loved it - well organised, good course and now I'm knackered! Just want me tea!

Who did you race today?I raced Andy Lett , I was bombing it a bit down the course as much I could. But really enjoyed it.

Is Andy your training partner?

We all train together as well as Jamie Fraser. It was a really good race - bit of extra motivation to do well.

How long have you been training for this event?

Around four weeks now. I tend to do more weights, but I'm quite a fast runner too. Id like to do better on my bench press next time.

What event do you like best?

Cycling and running. I do cycling for a job so it helps and I love mountain biking, so I've got pretty good cycling legs but still need to work on the bench press.

Another event next year?

Yes definitely. Id like to get involved with the local challenges that everyone is talking about and hopefully either the The Gorton Grueller or Dale Destroyer if it returns.

Motivation 365 days of the Year

Don't forget there are two current challenges that you don't have to pay to enter and can complete at your own gym and can complete any time till the end of 2010.

The Concept 2 '600' The Burn.

Who can burn 600 calories in the quickest time ? Just ask you personal trainer to verify your time and it will get entered on to the leader board.

The Run Bike Row (Life Fitness and Concept 2 Rower)

This is proving to be a real little tester. 1000 m Run, 2000m Bike and a 500 m row - on paper it doesn't look that bad - when you try it, well that is something else. Try this safely in your own gym and ask your personal trainer to verify it - first fifty get published on the leader board.

X Training Gym Of The Year

The winner of the first ever X Training Gym Od The Year was Gorton Fitness First. A special mention of this will be followed up in the End of Year Newsletter.

The Camberley Ice Breaker

Details will follow soon about this event - but it is one of the best new additions to the XTE series of next year and training for it should start very soon as there is no Beginner of Club event.

The Elton John Aids Foundation

Looking for causes to support WGC was pleased this year to be patron to the Halloween party at the Roof Gardens restaurant in support of Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Choosing appropriate charities to work with is the aim of WGC, so that funds can be raised for worthy causes that directly affect your health or that of children and others that need every support possible in order just to survive.

New Grading's.

The new year will see the grading's change in the system. Currently Silver would indicate that you have entered a National Competition - this will change to keep in line with fair and equal racing for the results page.

Silver Grading's will be updated - so that you will be a Gym Athlete that has either entered a time trial or event that has been recognised by the UKGCA using Life Fitness equipment with a time of 20 mins for male and 22 mins for female. Once you have achieved this (as with all grading's) you will keep this status until you get a faster time and possibly achieve Advanced Gym Athlete or Elite Gym Athlete status.

Scoring zone

The new team event challenges currently taking part in the northwest of UK will be phased over over 2010 and tested for the a new scoring system that makes entering events fair and teams being represented at the correct level. Without wishing to over complicate issues - it is being proposed that scoring zones be attributed the results tables. This will effectively mean that EFR (Equal Fitness Racing) is guaranteed and that each race will be represented at the correct entry level.

More details about the scoring system will be announced in due course, but for now and to keep it simple, the team scoring system is well underway in development terms and remember - every single event in this series gets entered into the Gym Athlete Leader Board, no matter what level of fitness you are. Where exactly are you in this board - and could you improve? Motivation 365 days of the year!

Could you compete at the next event ?

.