Training for the Irrational

There is a disclaimer that might as well be here at the top of the page. It is as follows: If you are of the mindset that training should never hurt, then this is not the place for you. This is not to say that we do our best to injure our clients, or that training should be about suffering, rather that we work with the intention of helping people know their limits, and that this is often tough. Irrational is dedicated to training for the real world. We train those who need to know their limits, those people who need to know that they can grab that hold, make it over the wall, survive the drop, beat the bull... So while we welcome anyone to train with us, we offer the reminder again that we are about elite fitness, about pushing boundries and limits, and that we are unwilling to let anyone who works with us settle for less.

The Tao of Irrational
So what is our training methodology? What do we preach to be the best way of training? What have we invented? What is our special new regime that we have the exclusive secrets for? What is our unique tao? Hard work. Now I know this is a little nuts, but we thought we would come up with something unique in todays world of bosu balls, HIT jedis, wobble boards, and unilateral tricep kick-backs. Sure we offer some unique exercises, and if you happen to have been in hiding for a long time you might consider some of our practices unique. We however, do not. Irrational is not about preaching a gospel of any unique kind of training. Certainly we think certain areas of training are more effective, but not to the exclusion of all other forms of exercise. Do we specialize? Of course, regularly we focus our interests. However despite different foci, we all still respect heavy compound lifts, we respect many different styles, we respect that different people have different goals, but above and beyond that, we respect hard work.

Our Specialties
Now depending on a person's goals and interests there is likely certain types of training that they will favor over another. The reality is is that a dancer will want to focus more on developing flexibility and strength in their core and lower body. This is not to say that the upper body will be neglected, but rather that legs are more their focus. In the same way a climber needs to focus on grip strength and a marathon runner needs endurance. These unique foci demand different types of training, and so clients may decide to pick one of our specialities, or they may decide to seek out a wider range of exercises. The following is a short list of areas that we focus on, and a glimpse of what they seek to develop.


Kettle-bells
This russian training tool is the Irrational dumbell of choice. Essentially a cannon ball with a handle, kettle-bells provide a versatile tool for training the whole body, working both the aerobic and anerobic systems. With a wide variety of uses, bells help develop a more connected body, removing the focus of seeing the body as a collection of parts. Regular use leaves people with improvements in almost all areas, as well as a 'rather firm' handshake.

Rings
Oh ring training. For people who have reached the point where they believe themselves to be as strong as they can become, rings will quickly help them realize that they are about as strong as a school girl. While the lower body certainly gets worked, rings are a brutal torture for the entire upper body, bringing muscles into play that many people don't even know they have. However it is tough to find a tool that is more effective at finding the balance between body weight and strength than rings.

Weights
Some people think gyms are boring, and others know little else but the repititions of the gym. However for those concerned about demanding their bodies are pushed than weights are an excellent tool. A working knowledge of weights means that any individual can train in any gym in the world. Plus the external load of weights pushes your body to compensate by increasing bone density, increasing human growth hormone, and many other good things. Weights are not to be neglected, and they do not need to be boring.

Free-Style Body Weight Training
This is a mainstay of all our programs. Somehow it just seems wrong to give up on pull-ups, push-ups, box jumps, and the ilk. While all of our areas are either easily set up or easy to find, body weight exercises can be done everywhere. This mix of plyometrics, intensity work, static holds, and general madness works everything. It is often these simple exercises that leave clients on their back gasping for air. They fall under the category of 'lots of fun'.

Flexibility and Mobility
Another mainstay of all our training programs, these are so often neglected in training programs. However improving ones flexibility and mobility can improve recovery times and decrease the risk of injury, while simutaneously giving strength in a far greater range of motion. For those who are interested, this is an area that we can give entire dedicated classes on. All of our trainers have been certified by Trained Mobility and are in a position to safely help you develop your flexibility.

The Journals and Articles
Now some people seem fascinated in just what kind of training our trainers do. It seems reasonable that you would want to train with someone who is at least actively doing something. It is good to know that your trainer does something more than just wander around in sweats telling people what to do. So while the journals may not be updated daily, they should give a glimps into the goals, aims, and madness of our trainers.


Training for Life
So whether you aim to climb mountains, or leap off cliffs, or fight bears, or simply seek to know your limits, we offer you a chance to do so. Feel free to contact us with any questions, interests, or concerns.
Ian can be found at ian@irrationalfitness.com, andTim is using irrational_fitness@yahoo.ca.