The Reason4 training with Frank at Fitness First
The Reason4 training with Frank at Fitness First.
a.. Life’s been a whirlwind since we appeared on the X Factor series 7. The moment we got back from Simon’s house we threw ourselves into our music and were quickly signed by Sony ATV. Since then we’ve been crazy busy writing, recording and gigging up and down the country and we admit that at first the gym became a distant memory! That was until we met Frank, a wicked personal trainer who helped us kick our bodies into shape between our hectic schedule. Read what we all thought about it below…
Marc Higgins
a.. Being a singer/songwriter, personal image is of the utmost importance and that’s what really made me decide I wanted to work with a personal trainer..
I wanted to gain muscle mass and muscle definition. It was important for me to keep lean as I had a lean physique before I started training with Frank.. My goal was to gain better overall fitness and have an athletic build.
Frank put me on a six-week training and diet plan; the diet was low fat, high protein, which included three meals a day and only snacking on citrus fruits. This was brilliant for me as I was previously on a low carb diet and the introduction of carbohydrates was greatly received!
I needed structure to my training and Frank put together a very intense muscle fatigue training program, mixing short but high-level cardio with medium weight ,high repetition muscle training. For example I would train back, arms, legs, shoulders, chest and abs all in one session, 3-4 days per week.
I would arrange to meet up with Frank 1 day each week for a personal training session. This is where Frank really beasts you!! He put me through my paces, constantly changing the exercises so that I kept my body guessing. I have to admit that I never looked forward to these sessions beforehand, but after I was really proud of myself and the effort I put into each of them.
Overall I found that working with Frank gave me a better level of fitness and a great foundation to build on. It has changed my outlook on training because I used to train only two muscle groups per session and didn’t see the results. From Frank’s training, my cardiovascular fitness has improved and I have a greater understanding of my body.
Glen Vine
a.. After a mental end to 2010 and a lot of service station junk food while gigging and in studio, it was looking as if i was going for contender for a heavy weight boxing match, so I decided that it was important to sort myself out.
Before I met Frank I was the kind of guy who would go to gym train a certain muscle each day and then try to put a bit of cardio in my training if I could be bothered. That all changed when I met Frank! He put me on a personalised six-week programme which meant I did 40-45 minutes of cardio a day, combed with weights to keep my heart rate up and to burn fat.
I would combine a session of squats, chest, arms, back and core muscle with a run, cross trainer, row and bike. I would do this 3-4 times a week as well as having a personal session with Frank once a week. This was when he would put me through my paces and push me to the limit. And when I say limit I mean it, it was that day that I hated every week! It was hard but I knew while I was singing I had to keep in shape.
He helped me to get disciplined in what I eat on the road. My diet consisted of citrus fruits, protein, lean meat and veg and I would only eat 3 meals a day, keeping my crabs at a minimum.
In regards to my body type I already had quite good upper body so my goals were to get fit but at the same time hold a little size but reduce my body fat to look more lean and athletic. I have noticed a big difference, not only in my body but in my health and wellbeing. Although training is a big part of getting into shape the main thing is getting your body used to eating right and getting yourself in the right mental attitude.
Scott White
a.. Like the other guys, a big part of my reason for wanting personal training with Frank was because of the fact we’re in the public eye and need to look good. They say the camera puts on a few pounds and I didn’t want to end up in Heat magazine’s Circle of Shame section!
I have always been into fitness training, but more the weight training than the cardiovascular work. I was not prepared for what was to come next!! By training with Frank I wanted to improve my fitness levels and tone up all over. I tend to look at food and I put weight on the hip area so that was first on the list to hit. Training with Frank gave me a new hunger for training and also made it fun. It was very tough to start but as my fitness improved I found myself pushing even harder in sessions.
Sometimes it can be easy to stray from a diet but the one Frank put me on was personalised so it was easy to stick to. Plus I knew that if I cheated I’d only be cheating myself!
I definitely feel a lot more confident in my shape and a lot fitter since training with Frank. Overall I’d recommend him to anyone!
Nathan Rawlings
a.. As the other lads will testify, I’m the laid back one in the band and although I used to keep fit through lax gym sessions and mountain biking, my diet and training was nothing like it should be for what we do for a living!
Through my work with Frank I really wanted to push my body to the limit – both in terms of my diet and training. I wanted to feel better about myself inside and out so the high heart rate intensive training and strict diet Frank used for me was perfect!
After just a few weeks of hard training I can run further, ride for longer and lift for longer. I’m no Jason Statham or Brad Pitt but if I had Frank and Fitness First behind me for my whole career I see no reason why I can’t be in the future! Cheers guys!
Kind Regards,
Frank Mangna
