When you looked at the field line up this year for this annual fitness challenge, it looked pretty thin on the ground, in fact there were only 47 seven entries this year. But is that to say that those 47 who turned up did not perform to extra ordinary levels of fitness? No - what it meant in simple terms, was that were 47 gym enthusiast who are just that little bit more committed to their training then the majority of gym users competed today in one of the toughest gym challenges in the world.

You see X Training has a certain element of pain involved and as soon as people experience the pain factor, it's generally curtains and it is not attempted again.

So it gives me great pleasure to welcome those who attempted this gym challenge this year and performed to the very best of their ability which included several new comers into the sport and those that had traveled over 500 miles to compete and show just what they have been doing in the gym for these past six weeks to a year in stepping their training up a gear.

It was unfortunate that due to traffic that the races had commenced by the time I got there and I apologise for missing the photography and support to those that had turned up at Intermediate level, especially the ladies, who raced early on, but judging the time sheets it was already apparent that those that are new to this sport are either enjoying it or enjoying the training for it - either way they have competed and are by comparison to the majority of gym users - fitness wise head and shoulders above them all.

Why does WGC say that ? Well based on the fact that these events happen and people choose to enter them for the love of the sport.

 

The racing itself saw some fine performances on the day, particularly between close friends Dom Davies and Andy Brown from Camberly Fitness First, who traveled some considerable distance from Surrey to perform here. Andy has had a fair bit of experience in this sport having competed in Dubai with Will Whitmore's event DB max Best of the Best in 2007 whereas Dom is just starting out. Having said that Dom has played Rugby for Wales Under 21 team and was forced to leave the sport early due to an injury and is now a personal trainer.

Race stats.

	Bike	Bench Jumps	Row	Shoulder Press	Sit Ups	Squat Thrusts	Step Ups	Treadmill	Bench press	Weight Carry	Finish
Dominic Davies	4.03	1.09	2.52	0.48	1.50	1.50	3.51	4.42	1.02	0.43	22.50
Andy Brown	3.59	1.11	2.49	1.11	1.47	1.18	3.54	5.01	1.50	0.35	23.35

It was neck and neck all the way until Dom took the advantage on his superior bench and the last agonizing seconds for them both were separated only by the difference on the bench press. A great race and one that leaped frog all the way down the course.

Stacy Cross from Calso Gym in Kent too a surprise third which means that he is edging up the finishing tables as each event goes on. No doubt having two of the best X Trainers in the country at his gym becky and Gary Nicholas, certainly helps and experience in performing in the Intermediate is good preparation for the Open if Stacy wishes to move up one day.

Simon Friel traveled even further with his wife Kelly from Hampshire (Esporta) and where Kelly won the female category, Simon performance was on par with the top 5 finishers and as is quite unique with X Training - over a series of ten disciplines the seconds mount up. Still a very impressive Intermediate and great to see both Kelly and Simon showing the commitment to be here today.

The Intermediate is awash with young and committed X Trainers, no more so then the input from Dave's Gym in Sidcup. Miles and Joseph Micallef.

Race stats.

Joseph	5.14	1.16	3.28	1.32	1.39	1.24	5.09	7.28	2.44	0.39	30.33
Miles Micallef	4.06	1.12	2.59	2.03	1.57	2.43	6.05	6.35	2.40	0.37	30.57

The beauty of this sport is not so much in witnessing the elite compete but as a spectator sport to enjoy the competitive element that exists in us all - ten disciplines and who gets down the course fastest ?  Looking at the above times, it's so easy to see the physical challenge that is involved between these two brothers and huge thanks goes to Dave Hall, who has brought a new lease of life from a younger audience into the sport.

Dave Hall from Dave's Gym in Sidcup - a truly outstanding Personal Trainer and ambassador for the sport

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The Female Open

As expected the Open in the Gym Ironman Ironwoman is smaller this year in participation. The credit crunch tentacles spread out to much of the X Training community and work commitments by the armed services have kept a small number away.

This event organised by Stuart Leng for many years has always about pushing yourself. Few people in the country can compete to such extreme levels and be in control throughout this incredibly tough gym challenge , so a bit like Toughguy , word gets round that this is for the Gymathlete who fancies an experience that they can look back on and say that they completed this challenge. There may not be the freezing sludge, burning fires, leaps of dread into the unknown, but what it does offer is a workout that is 100% effort from the very first discipline to the arduous weight carry in the end. Remember the clock is always ticking and to rest means you are losing precious seconds. Can you handle that pressure?

One person who can is Gill Watson winner of the SAS Are you tough enough - Jungle version a few years ago. Since then Gill competes in just about every single adventure race ( there was one the following day !) and receives huge respect from her friends and fellow athletes in many chosen fields. Like a migratory bird Gill finds herself not competing religiously in XTE's but finds her way to this one which she considers the toughest (longest) one and she has competed for many years in. Gill is also a personal trainer and in terms of dedication to training and leading from the front, there can probably no greater source of inspiration for anybody who is fortunate enough to be trained by Gill.

The female field for this event is always quite small because of the nature of it. But of those who do compete there is a growing sense and bonding of mutual respect. These ladies are competing really in a mans world and many would knock spots of those males who consider themselves fit in the gym.

Race stats.

Name	Bike	Bench Jumps	Row	Shoulder Press	Sit Ups - Full	Squat Thrusts	Step Ups	Treadmill	Bench Press	Weight Carry	Total
Rebbecca Nicholas	6.44	1.46	4.57	2.25	2.43	1.35	3.51	6.48	1.41	0.54	33.24
Trudi Hawksworth	5.55	2.18	4.42	1.40	2.13	2.03	4.37	8.04	1.08	1.21	34.01

The two leading ladies in this years event Rebecca Nicholas (Calso Gym in Kent) and Trudi Hawksworth from a gym in Derby. The gym is not really worth mentioning - Trudi has over the last two years competed in over 17 Gym Challenges, finishing more often then not with a podium finish - that involves 100% commitment to training , using the gym where she trains religiously - paying her monthly fees and seeing results in fitness that are truly so incredible that it really is almost insulting beyond belief to realise that the gym she belongs to just doesn't care about these results. Remember this is the equipment they supply so that she can train - a bit like an Olympic swimmer training in a local pool and then the pool they train at saying so what !

Now take on board Calso Gym in kent. I have visited this gym on many occasions, where internal and national challenges are run, the walls are covered in records from the various events they have held and as small gym in a precinct of shops , is probably as the single most inspiring independent gym in the UK. Gary Nicholas the owner walked the marathon this year carrying 10 d/b in each hand - ok, not too bad you may say, now add in the fact he wasn't allowed to put these down , and then  add at every mile Gary competed 100 step ups on a fourteen inch high box, which took him over nine hours to compete - and all of a sudden - you realise that in this gym , you see the extra ordinary in fitness.

There is also a regular field of entries from all over the UK and they can be found at most events because the simple fact is,once X Training gets a hold of you - you are hooked and it dawns on you after you have competed for a few events and got over the first times nerves, why is this sport not more popular? Searching questions will follow , but few answers will be found, as we look at two ladies who are great friends and train regularly together at David Lloyd in Basildon. Mikki Skingsly and Amber Nelson.

Race stats.

	Bike	Bench Jumps	Row	Shoulder Press	Sit Ups	Squat Thrusts	Step Ups	Treadmill	Bench	Weight Carry	Finish
Mikkii Skingsly	6.12	2.44	4.56	1.56	2.32	2.10	4.55	8.45	2.14	1.01	37.25
Amber Anderson	7.30	2.53	4.56	3.03	2.47	2.21	6.04	9.08	3.14	1.04	43.00

These two ladies didn't race each other, but have trained together in the gym for this event and were supporting each other 100% of the way - as was Nelson Anderson (Amber's husband) , who competes in the Open Male Maters category. Great friendships develop within gyms when you train with a common goal and events such as this is why your commitment is always focused.

 

Local clash Sarah Green and Penny from Manchester had great races - and Nicky Humphrey who has moved up into the Open category this season has made a great start to the season- probably her best performance ever . The mighty Sarah Connoly who once completed 3000 sit ups for charity and also comes from Calso gym in Kent is an amazing gymathlete and they all competed exceptionally well in a Gym Challenge that is simply one of the toughest in the UK.

The Race Report on the Male Open will follow, but for those that are interested in this concept in fitness the next event is The Brighton X Training Challenge and entry on Line is available here