Explosive Power, Foam Rolling, High-Intensity Training, Mobility Drills, Plyometrics, Power Training, Recovery, Running, Strength Training, Stronger Runner
Hi everyone, I’m pleased to share with you my first regular contribution to Triathlon Magazine Canada! Here is my first article titled Strength Training During the Competitive Triathlon Season. Click the PLAY button in the graphic associated with this blog post to watch the accompanying video. Thanks to Jim Mullowney for always taking awesome photos for my articles.
Two years ago I started training with JKC with the hopes of becoming a better runner, and today, I am running faster and stronger than I ever thought possible. Jon and Thomas provide a non-judgmental and professional coaching approach, and tailor their services to your individual needs. They use their expertise and knowledge to challenge me, and I am seeing real results. I look forward to many more years with JKC.
I had virtually no real experience using weights and felt intimidated going gyms. I avoided gym-goers using free weights, especially when hearing that loud crash, as they would drop weights to the floor. I thought this was to show everyone around them that they owned that area and that I shouldn’t go anywhere near! So I guess I just wanted to learn how to lift weights safely in a gym environment.
I spent over 18 years in the British Military, so I got to use some nice gyms. 99% of my time and experiences in those gyms was spent doing cardiovascular workouts, because I could just jump on a treadmill, plug in my head phones and do my own thing! JKC is different, because they have given me the confidence to use free weights and equipment that I had feared for years. Their demonstrations and knowledge is impeccable and I thank them for their continuous belief and support they show me at every session.
JKC was recommended to me by my good friend Casidhe Dyke. Cas had been training with JKC for a while, and both he and his father had seen great results from the personal training that Jon and Thomas were giving them. I was and still am primarily a triathlete and I’ve always struggled with injuries. I was talking to Cas about incorporating more strength training in my program to try and prevent injuries going forward and Cas suggested that I give JKC a try. I reached out to Jon not long after, and the rest is history! After working with Jon and Thomas for a few months, I was getting stronger, faster, and most importantly, I was staying injury-free. I ended up being able to train the whole season without significant injury and posted a personal best at Ironman Copenhagen in 2018. A big part of that was due to the strength training and coaching I received at JKC.
I had signed up for other gyms in the past and never went or rarely went. Something always got in the way or I was just too tired and lacked motivation to go. This way I’ve made a commitment to Jon or Thomas and I try very hard to keep my sessions once I’ve booked in. JKC is different from other gyms that I’ve tried in the past because no one is there to be “seen”. We are all there to get a good workout in and go on with our lives. And it’s a small gym so you get to know everyone and it’s like a big family. When I joined JKC, I couldn’t do a chin up with an elastic band, but I’ve slowly worked up to 10 free hanging chin ups. That was big because I hate chin ups.
Before starting at JK Conditioning I had attempted strength training multiple times through various local gyms and at home. Each time I would end up frustrated and injured. A little over two years ago, I contacted Jon and shared my goal with him to complete my first Ironman and remain injury free in the process. Jon, Thomas and Angie have worked with me weekly and I feel stronger but most importantly I have remained injury free for 2 years, 2 months and 6 hours….. but who’s counting. HaHa. The atmosphere at JKC is welcoming for any age and ability. While Jon, Angie and Thomas are serious about GAINZ, I’ve never once found myself not laughing while working out. Thanks for helping me to continue in this crazy sport where strength training is often neglected but is the key to remaining injury free!!
