Going on vacation but worried about your GAINZ? Don’t be!

Ahh, April. Spring is in the air, flowers are beginning to bloom and with any luck, the snow is gone until at least a cool late August evening. Once summer hits, our priorities begin to change. Holidays start to pop up, and you definitely want to hit the sun and show off that nice bod you’ve been keeping under wraps all winter. But with that comes the worry: “what about all those sweet gainz Jon and Thomas helped me make this winter? I know I’m a 10/10 on the swole scale now but what if I take some time off? Are my gainz as good as gone?” Fear not, because a new study yields the answers to these important questions…

The Study:

Researchers at Baylor University were curious how an acute (short) period of detraining (not exercising) would affect the strength and size improvements made during a resistance training program. For their study, 20 subjects trained 4 times per week for 4 weeks. This was immediately followed by 2 weeks of detraining. The researchers measured the subject’s leg press strength and the cross sectional area and lean mass composition of the rectus femoris (the big muscle in your thigh) before and after the 4 week training program and again after the 2 week detraining period. Interestingly, the improvements made in leg press strength over the 4 week training program were not impacted by the 2 week detraining period.

The Take Home Message:

Fear not, for your gainz are safe during your summer holidays. While you won’t improve your strength or size on a holiday, you certainly will not lose what you have gained over the winter months. It is difficult to say how a longer period of detraining will impact the improvements you have made but who really wants to be away from JKC for more than 2 weeks!

Reference:

Hwang, P.S., Andre, T.L., McKinley-Barnard, S.K., Marroquin, F.E.M., Gann, J.J., Song, J.J., Willoughby, D.S. (2017). Resistance training induced elevations in muscular strength in trained men are maintained after 2 weeks of detraining and not differently affected by whey protein supplementation. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(4), 869-881.

Prepared for the JKC blog by Coach Thomas

Amanda Shea

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I’m 35 and I started at JKC in November of 2019. I was coming off the win of the Royal St. John’s Regatta in 2019, and our crew was chomping at the bit to be stronger and faster for 2020. The reputation of JKC leached into our group and away we went! Unfortunately the regatta was cancelled due to COVID-19, but I just loved JKC so much I stuck around. JKC is different from other gyms because the level of experience the team has is unparalleled. Jon, Thomas and Craig all mesh well together and mentor me in a way that I know they love what they do and are genuinely excited to guide me towards my goals (and beyond). I really enjoy the atmosphere, the sense of community and all the positive vibes that I experience in every session. There’s never a time I don’t want to go because I’m motivated by the team’s coaching style and I get results.

Paul Heffernan

I have never previously seen the passion and level of care that Jon and Thomas bring to everyone who works out at JKC. Their knowledge, insight and skills are extraordinary, and they work with everyone individually to ensure the best possible results. The attention to detail and to every person’s specific requirements and goals, and the incredible, constant encouragement they provide, is, in my opinion, what truly distinguishes JKC from any other program in which I’ve participated. I am extremely pleased with the progress I’ve achieved thus far, and it’s largely attributable to Jon and Thomas and the approach they take to training and working with people.

Darrin Goulding

Jon Howard

I’m 36 Years Old and started with JKC in 2013. In the past I’d often have motivated spurts of a gym routine but they would usually only last a month or so. It’s pretty easy to press the snooze button at 530 am when there’s no one waiting for you. The fact that the guys are always on time/prepared and motivated for your session adds a level of accountability to your shoulders to “get out of bed” and bring your best effort each time. From the pressure free trainers to the camaraderie that you create over time with the individuals you’re working out with, JKC is able to offer an experience many other gyms cannot.

Kristy Howard

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I’m 40 years old & started training at JKC in 2015. The gym I was working out at closed and my husband recommended JKC. JKC meets you where you are in your fitness journey and tailors the work to help achieve your goals. I’ve trained with Jon & Thomas pre pregnancy, while pregnant and now post baby and they have helped me enormously to stay fit through all life phases.

I joke with the guys often that I’ve seen no change in my fitness level since joining the gym, but the reality is I’m in far better shape at 40 than I ever was at 30 thanks to them.

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