Paul Kimpton

First event how did it go?

Was tougher than I expected  - I tried to train for it but it was tough, the box step was the hardest one for me but it was good I enjoyed it – I would do another one.

How did you train for it?

I do circuit training, box zone and a bit of running, the difference is you do consecutive events back to back but normally I have a 20 second rest in between each of my sets, so your heart is working hard for 15 min's all the way through. Not much rest during Fitness X though!

Are you going to enter more events?

Yeah, I will do the Manchester one and after that I will train with my friend Chris Lord and improve my time.

OK so your gonna beat Chris on the next event?

No way! But I will give him so stick though .. !

Where abouts do you come from?

I live in North Wales just outside Chester.

What gym do you train at?

I don’t I go to a local sports centre.

Mark Tutt RM

First entry into Fitness Extreme, Royal Marine at the moment, tell me about that?

Yes serving with Royal Marines at RM Poole. I am currently waiting to go on a medical course as I want to train to be a medic so doing this helps me out and keep fit.

Your first event who brought you into it?

It was through Chris Lord via a bloke called Ben Law who is not here today ! Unfortunately for him he caught a bug last night.

Tell me about the introduction because you was originally trained by Darren Robson?

Yes Darren Robson was my remedial instructor when I was in training as a recruit - he started the ball rolling then but life changes, we move on and we do different things in the world so I didn't didn't’t continue what I started but I have come full circle and I am back at the beginning now.

Your first event tell me how it went for you?

Brilliant! I got a personal best which knocked two and half minutes off my time which was quite shocking really. I enjoyed it and picked up on a lot of things I need to work on, but everything is a learning curve and I will go away and take that with me.

On the event today what was the toughest?

Running is my worse area, that is something I need to work on I will build that up and knock a good minute or so off that.

Next event Gorton Grueller do you think you will try and make that one?

Yes we are going to try to, depending on where I am – I am on my course so hopefully I will get the time off to get away for it – I will be training for it nevertheless

The Gorton Grueller 2009

The legendry Gorton Grueller returns to us this year in it's new half way through the season slot.

This event has always attracted the migratory X Trainer to attempt the 60/60 shoulder bench, something that can easily be described as the most pain you will endure in a X Training Challenge. Please, please do not try this in a gym or at home - Gym Athletes spend months in preparation for these events and unless you have trained to the appropriate levels, then you even shouldn't think about it in your dreams!

Having said that - there is no reason why you can't pop along and see the UK Gym Elite in action. I'm sure Gorton Fitness First in Manchester would welcome you to their venue, which is one of the longest standing X Training gyms in the country.

Gorton FF will also obtain the crucial 50 hosting points for the new Gym X Training Championships (Gymxtc ™) which has been introduced this year to help raise the profile of gyms and Gymathletes who compete in the sport of X Training - a large turnout in the Intermediate and Open categories could see a very close finish and serious challenge to run away leaders at the moment - Camberley Fitness First.

More details will follow about this event during the lead up, so keep posted in the latest news section of WorldGymChallenge.com

Gym Athlete of the Year 2009

WGC will be nominating two members

Lloyd Millichap for his contribution in arranging an event for the gym he trains at Fitness First Camberley - for leading his gym to be at the lead in Gymxtc ™ mid way through the year and seeing his clients improve their times, not marginally but very significantly over a three year period.

Craig Horsfield for his charity work at the beginning of the year and his remarkable progress in reaching podium finished in such a short spate of time.

There will be 8 more nominations slots. Please ensure you get your nominations in time.

Fitness X 2009

Probably one of the finest races this year was seen between Chris Lord and Alex Woods. Both of these exceptional Gym Athletes have been clawing their way up Leader Boards race after race, with Lordy now dominating the sport. But it was not all plain sailing - Alex had not come along all the way form Edinburgh to watch someone beat him.

And the tale in the Women's final races was equally as close ...

Trudi Hawksworth LA Fitness Best X Trainer came down from Derbyshire to once again compete and bring her event tally up to 18 - the most for a single female since records began on WGC.

Sarah Green, the only UK GCA seeded female in the event showed her remarkable talent on the treadmill with the fastest female run of the day of just 4 mins and 39 seconds .

Gym X Training Championships 2009

From October of 2008 a new initiative was taken on board by the UK GCA to raise the profile of both Gym and Gymathlete in the UK . Knowing who competes in these event and what gym they belong to is paramount to the success and growth of the sport - after all which gym in the UK wouldn't want to be known as the gym with the fittest Gym with the fittest Gym Athletes?

So mid way round the season lets have a quick look at the table

Camberley Fitness First are way out in front. This is mainly down to one reason Lloyd Millichap a personal trainer there - he has taken on board the initiative to grow his client list and create a sense of togetherness in combining , fitness, fun and community and get real results at the same time.

Gorton Fitness First are on their heels - the recently formed Fitness Committee there sees a amalgamation of personal trainer client, member and venue build a sense of togetherness in promoting one if the toughest physical challenges in the world - The Gorton Grueller. This will enable them to get the 50 hosting points and a chance for the pawns of the gym to add some crucial points to their annual tally.

Corals Health Club. Can one man make a difference? The beauty of this years Gymxtc ™ is seeing those that are absolutely dedicated to the sport shine - and no greater example this year then Jamie Spencer, a member from Corals. Already this season he has traveled to Iceland, Scotland , Manchester and Surrey to compete as well as pick up some crucial points for himself and the club. Outstanding!

The Hampshire (Esporta) Watch out for this late runner. Passionate about X Training is what Ty Whitlock form the Hampshire Fire and Rescue and organiser of the Xmas Cracker at the Hampshire is. The last race of the season (with party) is not going to lie down and without a fight and will add a considerable amount of points when it hosts the seasons final race.

Calso Kent. , Becky Nicholas is tallying points by her consistent performance throughout this season, but without hosting an event this year, Calso will suffer from the hosting points. Will Becky hold on to the title of Fittest Female X Trainer of the year?

This Award is not about individual performances - it is a team effort - each podium finish gets points for the gym as well as the individual and at the end of the year The Fittest Gym with the Fittest Gym Athletes is the gym with the most accumulated points and nobody can really argue with that.

GymXTC ™ Individual Performances

The Male Open - in the lead so far is Jamie Spencer, who would have got more points for his fourth placing at The Supefit in Scotalnd if the results had gone into the database. Unfortunately this was not the case this year and so a few Gym Athletes (Alex Woods) have not recieved points. Jamie is still in the lead though with his continuous entry into the events and his placings. Can he hang on on to it ? Or will Lordy (Chris Lord) catch him up by last race of the season at The Hampshire.

The Female Open it's Becky Nicholas from Calso Gym in Kent who is leading the way - but close on her heels is Kelly Friel from The Hampshire who only stepped up to the Open level from Intermediate this season. From LA Fitness Derby best X Trainer Trudi Hawksworth will be catching them if she keeps her tally going for events entered - she is currently the most consistent Gym Athlete over the last three years with entering 20 events in the WGC Leader Board.

The Intermediate Male see's a bit of a scrap in the Men's going on with Camberley Fitness First Surrey totally dominating the first second and third - it could change though as Dominic Davies is rumpured to be going back into rugby and with his new role as Manager at Fitness First , his time to compete will be less and less. So Andy Brown, Olivier Jaqcuet and Paul Chase may well go right to the wire by the end of the season.

The Intermediate Female has Emma Maggot in the lead from Fitness First Luton. By entering the Open event at Camberley and doing very well Emma picked up some very clever points, whilst the top ladies stayed away. The Hampshire has a new discovery Laura Clarke beginning to shine and by the end of the season should bring this leaders board in line with the amount of events enterd and results .

It's a game of Kings Queens and Pawns in the only sport for gym's .. X Training and the first ever Championships that see's members and personal trainers get fitness points to be crowned UK's Fittest Gym