Lloyd Millichap

To compete in this event you must possess qualities like you have in no other sport - the ultimate package - speed - strength and endurance and most of all you must belong to a gym. It helps if you are a personal trainer too, as you are training in the environment you work in (Sport Specific ) and so are your clients. That is the nature of the sport, it simply is a sport for gyms.

The sport has evolved to the state where members of gyms who got bored with continuing the same repetitive format, that meant that visiting a gym was no longer challenging. Training programs may well have reduced a dress size or two at best for the ladies, but there was no real way of measuring your fitness, a feeling perhaps - a sense of working out for one day and the endorphins kicking in for that temporary feel good feeling , or maybe a group of guys flexing their developing muscles and buying more whey and lifting heavier weights. All great achievements, but measurable? A sport ? And On Line? No !

This sport works on so many levels. But to actually see your improvement in fitness over a period time is the ultimate aim of WGC and the question is - does it work ?

Ask Lloyd Millichap from Fitness First in Camberley Surrey.

In just over two years Lloyd Millichap a personal trainer from Fitness First Camberley has knocked an amazing 4 mins and 30 seconds of his bench mark time. A starting level from Intermediate and now just 11 seconds away from becoming part of the UK Elite 'Gym Athletes' in anybody's books that is real recordable progress and a massive achievement. Not only that, but Lloyd's clients are feeling the benefit with some of them loosing over 3 minutes from when they first started - it is simply brilliant.

Gym Based Sports

How do I get my time in the Leader Boards.

You may notice as you joined the site the Ultimate Gym Challenge Leader Boards and wonder how do I get my times published - well it's easy. Your gym sets the challenge either as a Charity Day or Time Trial and your Personal Trainer verifies the time at your gym. Your Personal Trainer details are recorded as the person who authenticated your time and you get a tick next to your name as a verified time - Simples! All results are displayed within 'View My Personal Record' tab - plus all the others that have completed the challenge specific from your gym. Ideal time to find training partners, as you can email them direct if they have a time similar to yours.

Where results are made.

What is the catch ? There isn't one - apart from all that needs happen is either your Personal Trainer or gym signs up to the system. It's that easy! And lets just remember one thing shall we? This is a Gym Challenge in a gym! It's not like you are playing snooker now is it?

Interview with the Winner

Steve Dowse.

What do you think of the course and the event?

The event has been fantastic. What I like about it is the atmosphere. There is no attitude,everybody is here cheering everybody on, helping one another and supporting one one another which is really important for the sport and good to see. The course is a good short challenge, very intense which has been very well judged in a well constructed course with a nice combination of events. I don't think course favours a certain person, it favours really the all round person if anybody and if you are a good all round Gym Athlete you will get a good time from it.

How do you feel about being the first person in the world to win 'The Ultimate Gym Athlete?'

Absolutely fantastic. I have got better since the year has gone on and breaking the Ultrafit challenge at Club La Santa at Lanzarote was really good, which had stood for over 13 years and hopefully my one will stand for as long. I wanted today to get under 15 minutes today and I was really pleased that I managed to that on the day as my run through's were just outside, so getting sub 15 is a real bonus today.

This puts you into the Gym Fitness Premiership League (GFPL) How do you feel about that?

The way I look at myself at the moment is that there are 4 or 5 people dominating this sport at the moment and I wanted to get into the Premiership to get close to other boys - I am getting faster this year and hopefully that will continue, which will give me a chance. I mean if they have peaked then I stand a chance of catching them - obviously it can mean also that they can increase the times and it gives me more work to do.

Chris Lord was missing today - How do you feel about his absence?

Well obviously pleased he wasn't here (laughs!) Lordy would have this title if he was here. At the moment he is in a class of his own. You use somebody like Chris to aspire to, as he's a nice guy too, when he's at events he supports everyone else who is there and he's good for the sport. If I can get closer to him then I can only be doing the right things.

Tell me what you think about EFR (Equal Fitness Racing)

I think you can see from the races today there has been some real close races. In the early races there was little difference all the way down the course. It's a good way to match it up because it makes more of an exciting race which is good for spectators. Also when you are pitched against somebody who is obviously fitter then you its not that fair and it's a little disheartening for the person who comes way behind, so if we can get the times matched up it does make it more exciting and I'm sure it will gee up those racing each other with a bit of friendly rivalry and will probably produce a better result for them on race day.

Tell me a bit about your company ?

My company is Definition Lifestyle and Fitness. It's a Health and Fitness Company, so we don't just deal with personal training, we deal with nutrition, we deal with life coaching, we deal with NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and also now hypnotherapy. Soon I will also coach golfers by 'Golf By Mechanics', helping golfers improve their power and performance. The company is not just about fitness, its about, psychology, diet and lifestyle. We deal with individuals and companies always striving to increase their whole work and fitness potential and getting them to understand about theme selves and what they want to achieve and I now have my own premises - a fitness studio in Berkshire, which which is a good move to focus on the core strengths of the company and what it can offer.

Thanks Steve and well done for today.

Penny B

"I thought it was a great event that was well organised and everyone involved in running the event was very helpful and encouraging.

I thought that the system of being judged all the way through by one experienced xtrainer was very effective and fair (but perhaps trickier to organise where are a lot of races and fewer experienced judges than can meet demand?) It was great to see everyone getting involved, as well as some absolutely fantastic races, and I think that a good day was had by all.

It was disappointing to be the only female there on the day and I am grateful to Sam Manning who, despite it being his first open event, valiantly raced me down the course and really helped me to push myself on to the best race performance I've had this year. It's always hard to make too much of any victory from a one horse race, but I was pleased to have archived a new personal best (by a good 45 seconds) and feel that I have set a decent time ready to be challenged next year.

There were some great men's races and I am very proud of my fellow Gorton xtrainers for good performances across the board. Steve set an amazing time to beat and even had the energy left to very generously offer to race me down the course in the potential absence of any other competitors! Hopefully the coming year will see better times for xtraining, with more events, more competitors and even more truly spectacular displays of fitness prowess. I intend to be involved in as many competitions as possible and look forward to coming back to defend my Gym xtc title. .."

Most Improved Gym Athlete

Lloyd Millichap

What do you think about your performance today?

I am really pleased actually. I have a bad year for injuries and just recently got back in to training properly and it has really paid off. I knocked 41 seconds off my pb, so I am really pleased with that, just a shame it wasn't another 11 seconds and that would have got me into the Premiership. It;s not far off though and I'm nearly there.

When you consider you started off at 19:41 It must make you feel good to come along this far?

My first attempt was just over two and half years ago and I've knocked over 4 minutes off . Its been just hard training, remaining focused and training the right way and it does pay off - it gets you the results.

Tell me about your clients too - some of them are doing this too aren't they?

Yes.Andy is here today and he got a pb too - by only a second, but he is better then that and some days it goes well for you and some days you can be slightly off your best - but that's sport for you! Andy could have done better today and maybe he tried too hard on the weights and suffered a bit on the run because of it - who knows. But a good performance nonetheless, but I know Andy , he would have wanted a better time.

What about Camberley FF as whole?

It is good, but as with anything today the recession is taking its toll .I have few clients that love this and they are getting faster and faster, it's good for me as a trainer and it's definitely good for them , because they can see themselves getting fitter.

What about the year so far?

It seems everybody is going there own way a little bit . It's a good thing there are more competitions about but the adverse effect of that is there are less competitors, but saying that there are twenty here today and it has been a really good event - everyone is happy - everyone is pally, people like one another and they are all from other gyms. No animosity and qualms with the judging. It has just been a really good event and I have really enjoyed it.

What's next for Lloyd?

I want to maintain my focus and try and get below 15 minutes - but Chris Lord I am not!

Briefly how do you describe the sense of achievement on completion versus the pain during a race?

The sense of achievement overrides the pain when you have achieved a pb. The pain simply doesn't matter. I guess, the pain is worse if you haven't archived to set out what you meant to do. If you didn't achieve your time and not achieved your goal, it is a bit painful, but when you regroup and refocus a smash a pb you are on top of the world and to see your name finfish on the leader boards even higher - its a great feeling.

What about the sport as whole ?

Well Chris Lord - he is the man at the moment. His reps are great and he is the all round athlete, very strong with amazing cardio. But also saw a new guy today Paul Spellling, from Apples gym in Essex and for a first attempt he was excellent, when he starts training for this regularly - he will be very good and he will be up in the Elite without a doubt. A good find for the sport.

Do you find the system easy to use ?

It does take a bit of getting use to but I can verify times on Line for any of my clients, and some who are also judges can verify mine. So if we set up a challenge, all times can have a tick by them and be authenticated. I'm on the site quite a lot and an always checking results and times to see where you can improve.

Simon Bellinger

Promoted into the Advance Fitness Leagues

What do you think about today?

Great Day ! Fantastic atmosphere but a bit let down by not having more entrants.

How has your training gone for this event?

Not really on top form as I have left Fitness First Luton and not been able to train with Mark Drury , but it's been ok and no injuries so far.

Where do you train now?

DW Fitness which is a new gym in Luton. I moved gyms because most of my friends that I train with moved and it helps training when you train with the same people who can push you along. It's not really geared for X Training there.

Do you think it could be?

No, not really, its not really a gym where you can do X Training.

What about the year so far?

It started off well, with Mark's event Fitness Xtreme, and I was pleased with my result at the Gorton Grueller, but a little disappointed with my time today.

How did your race go with Craig Horsfield after your two second finish epic at Gorton?

He hammered me today! I'm glad though, its given me the incentive to train harder for next time.

Next time? Are you going to try and get faster on this challenge?

Definitely, definitely, I know I can take a big chunk off that time.

Mark Drury

How do you think today's event went?

To be fair Sean there wasn't’t that many turned up but the atmosphere was good, people support each other and that’s half the battle in x training positive, not negative.

What do you think overall? And what's the difference about On Line Challenges and actual events?

I think it is a good concept, it gives everybody a chance to compete even if they can't make events or particular competitions, but at the same time there is nothing like turning up for a competition because the nerves, apprehension the intensity of it is quite different! When you turn up at an event and see the layout and all the equipment close together, it's very different and puts it into perspective - plus the crowd and everybody cheering you on - it's an amazing incentive to go faster.

Craig Horsfield

Craig what to you think of today?

Great atmosphere, really good people

Your time, tell me about it?

I have not trained a lot and disappointed with my run, I think that is what let me down

What was the hardest bit for you during the course?

All of it! Although the run is the hardest bit because that is the last thing you do and you are trying to get your head around getting a fast time.

How’s it going with the x training in Gorton at the moment?Its going really well, we are a good team down there, we are all together , we have a few comps coming up we are trying to all group together trying to invite more people to get into it.

What about Mike Jones leading the way as personal trainer?

He is a good bloke, brilliant he is improving all the time with his weights and cardio which is also pushing us, its a good atmosphere and he is a very good personal trainer.

The girls, what about the girls  ... ! ... ?

The girls are awesome! Penny, Sarah and the two Tracey’s are coming through and they are really a good bunch. Men and women all train together at Gorton and we push each other on.

Farouk Vawda has been there a long time doing x training, how does he fit in?

Farouk is brilliant - to have his experience and presence is excellent for us as a club - he is is calm reserved, calculated he knows what he is doing. It's good for Jonesy too - a real backbone to the sport.

What about the management? Are they looking into this a bit more seriously now? Or are they leaving you guys to get on with it?

In general they are leaving us to get on with it but I am hoping that Jonesy’ will be able to push it forward because he is the studio manager. I don’t try to look into that side of it because I turn up to compete and train and hopefully get the other gyms involved.

Jamie Spencer

What do you think about today?

Yeah good day, disappointed with my time, but I’m better than last year so improving.

How’s your training been for this?

Been faster than this on training, but had bad week.There is always next year.

What’s your next event your training for?

Walsall and Fit Brit.

Tell me about Fit Brit how’s that been for you

Really good, much lighter course - weight's are much lighter.

Have you been told a day for that yet?

8th November at Birmingham

Any more people developed a taste for x training at Brighton?

Yeah we had about 30 people go through our x training challenge over about a 6 week period. Hopefully there should be a few doing it next year when I put my next event on.

Your leading the way for Gym Athlete of the year it is mainly down to the events that you have done - tell me about the year in general how have you seen that?

The year has been good, I have been injury free so making the most of it getting to all the events. Unfortunately not all the events have been as busy as you would expect this year but that is just financial circumstances I think, but a good year on the whole.

What would you like to see happen towards x training

I would like to see it go national and global scale get more people in and more publicity.

What do you feel about transition between x trainer and gym athlete?

It doesn't’t matter how you phrase it, it’s gonna be the same thing and some people wont understand what it is.

People are getting confused with the term x trainer in the gym and having diversity of all the skills you use in a gym environment, that’s why the name has been changed to Gym Athlete, would you say that was fair balance?

Yeah fair enough because when I tell people I am a x trainer they do the motion for the x trainer machine and I say no, I am a Gym Athlete and they say "Oh what's that then?" , so you still end up explaining anyway!   .... 

Cheers Jamie ..

Paul Spelling - Apples Gym Ilford

How did you enjoy today, it being your first event?

I really enjoyed it. I mainly do endurance type of events and I really like this concept. It is something new to me and meeting all of these guys here today and sharing similar interests in fitness is something that I have not seen at other events.

How did you hear about the event?

I saw an advert in Active Magazine. I had heard of these challenges before but didn't know where they were happening. It was great to go to one that was relatively close to Ilford.

How did you rate Gary Nicholls (you race opponent) and still competing at this level?

Amazing and seriously inspiring. I have been a PT for 16 years and Gary has 16 years on me age wise, If I am as good as that when I am in the Vets Category I will be really chuffed.

What other challenges do you do or want to compete in?

I am looking to compete in the ' Men's Health Survival Challenge' which is soon, then next year the London Marathon and climb Kilimanjaro and I think the British Heart Foundation would be a good cause to do it for.

What did you find the hardest part of today's challenge?

It was coping with the judging and not keeping my form - a few times my hands slipped from my head in the sit ups and a couple of times I wasn't fully up on the Step Up Bench - but I guess for a first event I didn't do too bad the experience will kick in soon enough.

What did you do before you were a PT

I used to play professional tennis in the sates when I was 19. At one time I was ranked 6th in California but then I became interested in more in teaching and inspiring others and I haven't looked back since. I really enjoy my job.

What about you as a person, what sort of music do you like and films etc?

I generally like any music - if there was a category for it would be Rock Pop and Dance. When Robbie Williams was selling out gigs in the 90's was a good era for me and my music.

How about you can invite three people for dinner - who would they be?

Arnie, Tom Cruise and Bill Clinton. What a dinner party that would be!