GYMXTC Newsletter 2008 (Part one)
The day of 21st September is the day that close X Training racing in a gym environment was proven to work.
WGC is proud to support those that enjoy working out in a gym environment and need that extra bit of motivation and racing in the Orbital at GYMXTC TM 2008 is the result.
The sport of X Training has been going since the 90’s and the elite of the fitness world have always done very well at it. But a change needed to happen to increase numbers and make the sport more appealing to the masses, so that potential sponsors can become involved and move the sport in the right direction. GYMXTC TM is that change. A central database known as the Gym Fit Challenge ensures that only those of equal fitness levels race each other and if there happens to a need for a change in start times so that an element of a handicap system is in place , then again the Gym Fit Database can be used – as was the case this year when Amber Nelson raced her husband Nelson in a superb race that was a clear case of cat and mouse catch-up and really entertaining to watch.
What was witnessed on Sunday was a combination of levels of fitness, both male and female of all ages, something that means that I have trained with a goal, and am now trying to achieve it.
Many races were competed by Gymathletes for the first time, Cath Haines from Andover and Phil Penfold from Brighton, both of which did exceptionally well and other more seasoned X Trainers battled it out in the final stages of the WGC on the treadmill – really , really close racing and testament behind the thought of what happens when a pre race time is recorded and those people are matched to race, all using the same equipment on the day. It was a good day and overall a day that supplied some of the best races ever seen at X Training event by those that are competing at Club Plus level.
The venue was different too – a hiccup in the works meant that the flooring company originally planned to cover the £80,000 vast open arena at Dance Junction with designer floor cover pulled out at the last minute, but as resourceful as ever – just down the corridor stood an studio as good as any in any gym and the event was set.
Working in conjunction with The Rochester Health Club and Terry Moore the owner, equipment was brought over and set up for the event to take place – on top of that Amazon – leisure.co.uk Fitness suppliers – supplied brand new equipment for the day including new concept 2 rowers, new bikes and new treadmills – Terry went on to supply new Olympic bars and all the weights and reebok steps needed.
All that was needed now was the competitors and they drove down from as far as Manchester Gorton (Fitness First) to Camberley (Fitness First) and other Gyms in the near area like Dave's Gym in Surrey supplying a number of entrants.
Due to resources races had to be completed first before the next race began, but official verifiers Lloyd Millichap and client/ friend Andy Brown (veterans from Best of the Best 2007) lined up to take control of the judging and they did a damn fine job.
Local friends Natalie and Kym kept a careful eye on the time and made sure a record of the days times were kept – all wore the very flattering British Heart Foundation T shirt for the day and kept a sense of what the day was all about in everyone’s mind.
What made the day so enjoyable was that several unique forms of racing took place. Brother vs Brother – The Macellefs' and then to top that twins vs twin the Mannings' – all firsts and all incredibly exciting to watch.
Sam and Jack one of the best races of the day
Jamie Spencer and Mike Jones had a pre race time of just one second apart and it was incredibly close all the way – till Jamie nicked it on the run – the spectacle of a pre race time serving up to the excitement .
In Mikes defence he had already raced local Parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives Ray Christi in a pre friendly introduction to the politician and the X Trainer – definitely a first and a comfortable win for Mike . Ray later on to explain “ Cross Training is very hard , I'm quite a good half marathon runner, but that run, bike row was very very hard”
The ladies race saw newcomer to the sport Cath Haines (Club Plus) dive straight in at the deep end to race Sarah Green (Club Xtreme) an accomplished X Trainer from Gorton – but wait one second isn't’t that a bit unfair and the answer was yes ! So Cath had a two minute lead and Sarah had to play catch up. It was an incredible race and one which earned Sarah best female race of the day – never complaining just determined to try and catch up Cath – very inspiring to watch.
Closing down the day had familiar and unfamiliar names racing each other – Craig Horsfeild form Gorton, took on Martin Carter, one of X Training most accomplished athletes . Craig is fairly new to the sport and has been steadily improving his times and if pain factors were being judged here, both guys were in the 99% bracket. Brilliant race and great sportsmanship too – which went on to earn Craig best race of the day .
Rich Griffin who had competed earlier on with the time trials at Gillingham earlier on the year again traveled down to Kent from Manchester – his recent trip to Egypt meant he had the same tan as recently married Steve Broadley and these guys simply raced their hearts out on the day – Steve ending up with a pb and breaking into the Advanced bracket.
More details will follow about this extra ordinary day - but for those of you who were there X Training went on to show to those that use a gym just what is really possible in the confines of one gym studio and what incredible and exciting races can be produced if the right pair are racing each other
What a fantastic day and what incredible racing - roll on the next 10 years when X Training will be a huge success in every gym |
Another email News letter will follow shortly |
Special thanks to Joe the photographer of the day whose website: www.jcphotographics.co.uk can be used to for sporting, portrait and all types of photography.
