Anthony Gillespie

You have probably heard the saying that a mechanics car is the first one to break down. The thought is that they are good at fixing other peoples cars but run out of energy for their own. I have to say that I usually have the energy to train myself but over the years I have suffered from recurring back issues and at times could be just like the aforementioned mechanic. This is probably a function of years of one sided sport and the imbalances encouraged by such pursuit and when combined with a refusal to accept any degradation in previously achieved functional ability, you get …… inappropriate loading and intensity leading to repetitive injury and backward steps. Needless to say a very frustrating journey! Perhaps some of you can relate? Well I am not sure if it is a coincidence or not and I certainly don’t want to jinx myself, but with my recent change in approach to my own personal training routine  involving a greater emphasis on progressive strength training and in particular strength of legs and lower back, my back feels stronger than it has for a long time. See a previous entry on the deadlift and you will see the type of exercises I am talking about. I was brought up on a sometimes punishing cardio training schedule with what was, in retrospect a misguided training routine in my youth. Tennis was ill defined as an aerobic sport at the time and after closer scientific scrutiny revealed the greater importance of anaerobic training [read strength, short […]