Charles Green - Winner of FitBrit 2015 - Tips on how to Prepare for FitBrit

1. How did you prepare for last year ?
Last year I trained all year round in CrossFit and closer to the time of the Fitbrit I just done a mixture of circuits specific to the movements in the event coming up in the event.

2. What aspect of fitness is crucial to success in FitBrit.
It definitely has to be the ability to maintain a workout sustainable at sub maximal efforts higher than lactate threshold. High intensity workouts specific to the movements of the fitness is vital to performing well.

3. What's the difference in FitBrit to other gym practises.
The Fitbrit tests overall conditioning. There is no element of measuring strength as all the equipment used is light or the movements are bodyweight. Being able to perform using aerobic fitness at high intensity and not giving up, especially when there are demons in your head means that the Fitbrit is tough both physically and mentally, if you are pushing yourself.

4. When you won last year did you feel all the training you did was worth while?
Well yeah it’s a good feeling to win in anything, but for me the FitBrit was just a bit of fun. However I did get a nice supply of protein shake and a small write up in Mens Fitness magazine which was good to see.

5. How did your gym react to you winning?
There is a great team at Fitness First Romford and for the first few weeks they made announcements over the speakers that Fitbrit winner has entered the gym, which I find flattering and also embarrassing at times. But there was some people asking me about my training after winning.

6. What do you think of this year's course?
This year’s course is different as the run is a bit longer and it is easy to go out to fast and gas yourself out. The bike is at a higher resistance, I particularly found the bike challenging this time round as you want to see 120RPM on the clock but level 14 makes it hard to maintain a good pace.

7. How would you train for it?
I will just stick to my normal routine, I row quite a lot and do general strength and conditioning work. Closer to the time I do quite a few practises of the event.

8. Do you see many people training in your gym for Fitbrit ?
This year I have not seen anyone training for the Fitbrit at Fitness First.

9. The degree of intense pain is quite off putting to some but seems trendy . Is this a good thing ?
Well if it’s not hurting in a hard session then you’re not pushing hard enough. I enjoy the feeling of going through the pain barrier or the red zone because pushing through that barrier is when I get a good sense of achievement. Knowing that I wanted to quit but carried on till the end feels great.

10. Within your gym would you consider yourself a role model to others ? This is not being big headed but something that others aspire too. Not really as people train for different things in Fitness First Romford. There are some super strong people in there, some people who just want to keep in shape and others that are competitive. If I am a role models to others then at the moment I don’t really know about it.

11. What's the greatest rule in training for Fitbrit

You need to be disciplined and willing to put in hard work day after day.

12. Can you just turn up and put in a good time .. or do you train specifically ?
I think if you’re an all rounded athlete you can turn up and put in a good time. But if you want to get a really good time then of course you have to train specifically.

13. What are your plans after this years final and do you have anything any to look out for?
Focus on getting fitter and competing in other events. My main focus fitness wise next year is to compete in a few indoor rowing events and get a lot stronger. I struggle with strength, so I am gonna make that a focus and then maybe get back into Crossfit.