Interview with Cpl Lord RM 'Lordy'

Tell me about the setting up of The Fittest Royal Marine.

It was set up by myself and Les Barrow and it takes a couple of weeks. The problem we have, is getting the lads here because obviously the tempo of the Marines is that there is that many lads in Afghanistan or back on leave, so the biggest problem we have is getting the numbers in. But in the end it was all worthwhile – a great turn out under the circumstances – about 50 which is a good number and the day worked really well.

It was good to see the recruits take an active role in watching this event. Do you think that they can benefit from X Training in their fitness levels.

Yes very much so,I have seen lads in the gym today  trying to push about a bit of reps work to see what they can do and obviously if these lads pass out, which I’m sure about 50% of them will, then they will go into the Corps and when this event is organised again next year and the years after, I hope they will come down and compete.

How do you see the cross over between Civilian and Military X Training in events.

The civilian and military cross over works well and the fitness that we do anyway, it suits X Training. The good thing about the military lads , especially those here they got a good attitude and they will give anything a crack.

At the moment X Training  is fairly restricted due to lack of funding more then anything else, but with a bit more funding and a bit more exposure , what would you like to see happen towards X Training.

It’s going ok at the moment , but it could do with some more exposure. Before my time there people like Darren Robson an ex Marine and it was endorsed by Ultrafit Magazine, I think it was a bit more sexy then and had the Ultrafit to back it up. If  possibly we could get back to those days with some good exposure behind it, to support those connected with X Training, it may make it a bit more appealing to civvies . I know Men's Fitness are trying it at the moment, but the course isn't’t really a great X Training course, because the weights are too light , but it lets everyone try it and its giving X Training exposure, which ultimately will be good for the sport.

Are you entering 'Fit Brit' this year?

Yes, There is a Fitness First not too far from here and I am aiming to qualify in around two weeks time. There were two guys I know got in to the final last year Cassius Frankson who won it and Richard Vint who is looking better and better at each event, they are really good at the running side of things. I am more of an all rounder with the weights and cardio and I hope to make the final this year.

This event is more then anything a run, bike row – without giving any thing away – how do you plan to complete your course?

Cpl Lord – I have spoken to some of the lads that did it last year and they have said to stand any chance at all, you need to be running at least at 20 kph all the way – as its on a flat that’s not too bad, and I reckon you will be able to flop off there once it’s done. I have been training specifically lately for a lot of speed work , so I should be ok on the day.

The cross over between military training and X  Training is slightly different. The military is based on long runs, speed marches assault courses etc and then you look at X Training which is more short term endurance , over in anything from 15 to 25 minutes – what’s your view on the difference between intensity to duration of training?

The intensity is quite hard. A lot of the guys who enter events do train for X Training specifically , we also  obviously do the military  training which helps us prepare for an event , because both have very strong mental focus attached to them. There is also a case of the lads getting back from Afghanistan and the operational side of things, where they train as best they can with the equipment they have. The gyms are quite good out there, but they also adapt their training with the runs , or using the jerry cans for a bit of weight work, we are very versatile in training and keeping our fitness levels high.

What are your views on Inter Forces Challenges – for instance the Marines vs the Para's?

I think it would be great. There is Inter Forces Athletics, Football, Rugby and it is always very popular. I can’t see why there can’t be a Inter Service X Training Challenge. A friend on mine Danny Watson from the Army Physical Training Corps competes already and so do quite a few guys from the RAF, so it shouldn't’t be that hard to get going, all that’s really needed is location and getting everybody together.

I guess the follow on from that would be a Inter World Wide Forces Challenge , taking on the US and fellow Elite Forces from Europe – How do you see that ?

That would be great and very exciting for the sport, great publicity and also very competitive. There is a  lot of rivalry between regiments, squadrons, units in any aspect of the military and something like X Training events brings a lot to the table in terms of respect and social interaction.

The aspect of raising funds for charity is very exciting , I know you rowed the Atlantic as a team for charity last year – what was your chosen charity then?

50% went to the Royal Marines and Royal Navy Benevolent Fund and the other went to CJ Riders, because the guy that organised broke his back on a motor bike.

UK GCA – Cheers Lordy – good luck in Men’s Fitness and see you at the XTE you enter.

Interview with Cpl Martin Stapleton 'Stapes'

Just currently back from the UFC show, how did you find it out there?

It was a good experience. I learnt a lot off Mike Bisbing - going out to America and having that time to train full time.

How do you see your training in X Training, the Royal Marines and UFC training?

There is a big difference I think, X Training is good for mixed martial arts if your not specific training for a fight ticking over training wise, but when you got a fight coming up you need to specialise because you are looking at your power endurances phases and your work capacity phases, but for general fitness you wont get a  better kind of training than X Training and especially for lads thinking of joining the Marines it is perfect for them, conditioning wise before joining the Corps.

Have you followed much of the X Training history – do you know about the Ultrafit and where it has come from?

Yeah obviously since Cpl Lord started I have taken a lot more interest – he is one of my best friends so when he started to get into it, so did I basically to support him

What do you see in 5 years time, where will you be in fighting?

In 5 years time, I don’t know, but before I retire I am going to be UFC Champion

Just talk about your experience out there, the house, the team mates and the fact that we whooped the yanks at it!

In the UFC house it has its good points and bad points, it is great in the fact that all you have to do is get up, eat, train and sleep, but in other ways its bad, everyone is talking about winning a contract and you lose focus on the fact that you are fighting because you enjoy it - you start to focus on the fact that you are fighting for money. Before I went there every time I fought I had never event thought about money, I thought about just winning, whereas when you are in there everyone is talking about winning this big contract and winning the money so you can lose focus - apart from that the experience is absolutely brilliant,you are out there with 8 other guys who are just as hungry as you to win and we bonded as a team really well, all the guys that were there I am still in touch with and the coaches, still friends with.

So your career in the Royal Marines – what happens now?

I don’t know yet it depends obviously on I want to see how far I can get with the Mixed Martial Arts world, so if I start getting opportunities then obviously I will leave the Marines – but we will see.