Now then, Now then, Livestrong Gangnam Style

I was going to blog at length about the Jimmy Saville and Lance Armstrong scandals but soon realised that I couldn't be bothered and what new is to be said? I do not condone either of their actions, but it seems it was common knowledge what they were both up to.

If so many people were willing to look the other way then there are more people at fault here than the two individuals in question. I realise that abuse of a minor is as serious as it gets but how come so many people come out of the woodwork now when the 'C' word (Compensation) rears it's ugly head? Where was the bravery when he was alive that could have prevented the proliferation of more abuse victims? Just saying.....

If you have read any of my blogs you will know my opinion of cyclists in general, so anything that puts the 'lycra lads and ladies' in  bad light is OK by me, but again the hypocrisy of the governing bodies here who made millions from the 'Armstrong effect' are now coming down like a ton of bricks once his value to cycling is diminished. I have been very impressed with the way that cycling has tried to clean up it's act over the past few years and many other sports that want to be 'clean' could learn from it. However you have to have a clean slate approach and put a stake in the ground when cleaning up. 

If you want a sport to be 100% clean you have to have a zero tolerance policy and 100% testing. The drugs in sport debate is for another time and probably my other blog #PROJECTSTRONGMAN but all this retrospective witch hunting has tainted the excellent work that has been done over the past few years.

Life imitating art? Gangnam Style!

A week ago, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, met and took dancing lessons from South Korean rapper Psy. Mr Ban, who is also South Korean, joked that he felt overshadowed by the Gangnam Style singer, whose video has clocked up more than half a billion views on YouTube.

Sky News Report 

It brought to mind one of my favourite mindless movies, Bill and Ted's excellent adventure. 

The premise of the film being that two losers start a band in their garage called WYLD STALLYNS and a messenger from the future (Rufus, played by the legendary and much missed George Carlin) comes back in time to tell them that

"eventually your music will help put an end to war and poverty. It will align the planets and bring them into universal harmony. Allowing meaningful contact with all forms of life. From extra terrestrials to common household pets. And, it's excellent for dancing."

It is alleged that there will be an alignment of planets that will take place Dec 3, 2012 it will be a dead-on alignment with the Pyramids at Giza. 

So there we have it, planetary alignment and crap music that everyone is dancing to...........

Just saying........

Be excellent to each other!

Summer of Sport, Olympics over?

What a fantastic summer of sport we have experienced, that seems to be heading into a great autumn with The Ryder Cup, Premier League Rugby, ICC World 20-20, Premier League Football, World's Strongest Man and the climax to the most unpredictable F1 Championship in years.

As vehement critic of us hosting London 2012 I have spent the last six weeks explaining that I am not against the Olympics or Paralympics, just that the bid was won on lies and deceit to both the IOC and the British public. Grass roots sports funding has been actually been cut in the build up, the promise of 2 million people freshly involved with sport (a line item deliverable in the original bid) was formally dropped 12 months ago and the 'budget' was actually an all you can eat cash buffet for developers, management consultants, construction companies, local councils, elite sports yada yad yada yada.

For the detail have a look here Olympics Money Breakdown

In many ways this is all old news and certainly there is nothing that can be done about it now, however moving forward there is the 'legacy' that everyone keeps banging on about.

The 'Legacy' seems to be a number of vague promises and a wish list of things that would be great. Those items that had £ signs attached to them were all miraculously delivering sufficient returns for London 2012 to turn a profit for GB Plc

These promises appear to break down into a few main areas, so let's see how we are doing against these targets

1. Increased interest and uptake of 'grass roots' sport (Olympic Bid) - Funding actually cut for grass roots sport, government commitment for 2 million extra people to be involved in sporting activity formally dropped over 12 months ago.
2. £750Bn increase in consumer spending during the games (VISA - Olympic Sponsor and the only card you could use to buy your tickets) - Retail spending fell over the weeks of London 2012
3. £20Bn boost to the UK economy (David Cameron) - As above, also London showed a reduction in business activity during the games, people actively kept away from the city. Small British businesses were prevented from benefiting from London 2012 due to over strict policing of the Olympic trademark by LOCOG. No significant investment or commitment to invest has been received in ANY area of commerce as a result of London 2012. Time will tell
4. Regeneration of the area and increased affordable housing (Olympic Bid) - Nice park, swimming pool, velodrome, railway and stadium. Reports already that the locals will be priced out of the 'affordable housing when it is available, and lucky you West Ham it looks like you'll get a stadium that effectively will need re-building (probably at our cost) to be an effective football arena.
5. "Promoting community engagement and achieving participation across all groups in society through the Games" WTF??? - Actually speechless
6. Increased acceptance of people with disabilities - Don't patronise me or them.

As a fan of sport and sporting excellence, of course I have enjoyed the Olympics and Paralympics. Who can fail to be impressed by hard working, dedicated and talented people at the top of their sport, performing beyond their personal bests and creating drama and excitement that lift the spirit?

There is no sarcasm here at all, I will remember 'Super Saturday' as one of the greatest sporting occasions I have seen, along with Ian Botham's 5 wickets for 1 run at Edgbaston in 1981, Damon Hill winning the F1 championship 28 years after his father, Johnny Wilkinson with 'that' drop goal, Paul McGinley holing the winning putt for the Ryder Cup in 2002 and Andy Murray winning the US Open last night. We all have our favourite sports, moments, heroes, villains and inspirations.

And that is precisely my point, sport is leisure and entertainment and should be self sustaining, if enough people are interested in a sport it will be publicised and financially supported by sponsors and TV companies. Minority sports are just that, I am involved in the sport of Strongman ( #projectstrongman ) we have no 'grass roots' funding, lottery backing and struggle for sponsorship even though over a million people watch World's Strongest Man every Christmas on TV with 2 Brits in the top 4. The point is we don't expect taxpayers' money we choose this sport and do what we can to fund it.

Athletics is a minority sport, FACT more people go fishing than compete in athletics. My daughter is an aspiring athlete, she was before London 2012 and she will be afterwards. Her club will be slightly busier for a few weeks whilst the jonny come latelys come and try different events and decide that it's actually hard work day in day out, year in year out and go back to their playstations.

Parents will still taxi, scrape together for memberships and equipment and support their children towards their goal and that's the way it should be. Sport is demanding and enjoyable but ultimately selfish, we all choose to participate (or not) in sport. So why should any sport expect government funding, my tax £'s and especially the £9 / £11 / £23Bn (delete as appropiate) that London 2012 cost, could have been far better used to regenerate areas around the country not just the East End of London. Or maybe providing adequate rehabilitation facilities for injured servicemen and women, or education, or healthcare, or provision for the elderly who's pensions have been mismanaged and cannot afford proper care.

Sport (Definition)

1.

a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

b. A particular form of this activity.

2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.

3. An active pastime; recreation.

So it's been a great summer of sport, they usually are if you love sport. There's Tennis, Football, Rugby, Tour de France, F1, Cricket, Strongman, Table Tennis, Cross Country Running, Triathlon, Horse trials, X-Games, Boxing, Martial Arts, Powerlifting and pretty much a sport for anyone. Not just the summer either, sport is big business and year round we all enjoy it and pay for it, personally I would rather pay for the ones I support not have my money spent on my behalf.

Toast and celebrate the successes of London 2012,  but the bill is extortionate, the hangover will be painful

Promise this is the last time I will mention London 2012

Stop whining enjoy winning

As an outspoken critic of London 2012 I have spent the last week or so having to explain that I am not against the Olympics, just that the cost is prohibitive to an ailing economy and the bid was won on lies and deceit to both the IOC and the British public.

Grass roots sports funding has been actually been cut in the build up, the promise of 2 million people freshly involved with sport (a line item deliverable in the original bid) was formally dropped 12 months ago. So my criticism of London 2012 is unabated however the Olympics as a concept and an event is great sport.

My personal view is that the Olympics should be stripped down to it's natural core events and held in the same place every year, say Greece, funded by the IOC and corporate sponsorship as well as a contribution from competing nations relative to the number of athletes they are sending.

The core events would not include football, BMX, Golf, Tennis etc but the original core events predominantly Track & Field, Gym and Swimming. This would reduce the economic strain on host countries and the ridiculous bidding process. The Olympics should surely be seen as the ultimate pinnacle of a sport therefore many events should be dropped as this is obviously not the case with them.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the games and have been impressed by the level of personal achievement and performance, even if some of these sports wouldn't make my selection for the 'True Olympics'

One such performance is that of Victoria Pendleton who has won multiple medals in Olympics and World Championships for cycling. From what I see she has been professional, hard working, talented and fiercely competitive, therefore deserving her level of success and undoubted financial reward that will follow her retirement. 

It is estimated that her retirement from competitive cycling will be made comfortable by a set of sponsorhip and marketing deals which could earn her up to £1million a year, according to experts. With endorsements from Pantene, Halfords and Hovis already in the bag it would appear that all her hard work has paid off.

So why is it in every interview I have heard with her since her last race has she been bleating on about how hard it has been, how many sacrifices she has had to make and how much better her life will be now without the pressure of training and competing?

We know all that, stop whining and enjoy winning. You made a choice to be a competing cyclist, no-one forced you. If you don't work hard and make some sacrifices you probably wont achieve anything. She has obviously worked hard, what does she want? A medal? Ooh hang on...

She now has all the trappings of success and thoroughly deserves them but give us a break Victoria, most of us work bloody hard and make sacrifices, it goes with the territory, enjoy your success of a job well done but please stop telling us how hard it was. Some people do not have the chance, opportunity or I will grant you, the determination to follow a dream so don't rub their noses in it please.

Congratulations and enjoy your success.

Well done to all the athletes regardless of country or sport at London 2012, the obvious spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, competition and enjoyment has been the overwhelming outcome of these games. A few primadonnas have had their come uppance, but overall it has been great to watch. I do still struggle with a bronze medal being hailed as a win, not being funny you came 3rd! Maybe that's for another day.

Really looking forward to the Paralympics now.. Hard work, sacrifice and struggle anyone?

Just saying

Olympic Torch, Weather, Training and Proud Dad

Against my better judgement I took my daughters to see the Olympic torch procession on Sunday. Anybody who has read my blogs in the past will know that I am no fan or friend of London 2012 and Sunday's farcical event did nothing to change that. Cynical marketing by Coca Cola, Samsung and Lloyds Bank with their trucks leading the procession manned by perma tanned and rictus grinned promotional staff. As if this wasn't bad enough we then had members of the constabulary acting like some kind of heroes as they high fived the crowd from their bikes and then the torch itself. 

Only in this country could we make the carrying of such a potent symbol into a tacky money grabbing farce, complete with pikeys selling knock off Olympic badges, medals and flags to the crowd lining the street. The crowd themselves were absolutely as expected, parking like morons, pushing and shoving children out of the way and afterwards walking all over the middle of the road and looking surprised that I actually was allowed to drive down it. If you could get your fat arse, stupid dog, even more stupid children and try to walk in single file, then maybe we could get things moving!!

As if the traffic wasn't bad enough on Sunday, with a knack of timing and as usual complete disregard for other road users the mad mob of lycra clad twats were out in force again in some kind of road race which seemed to consist or riding 3 abreast across the road, free wheeling, chatting and having no intention of falling into single file and letting me past. One day I will snap and just clothesline the lot of them as I drive past!

At least the wonderful summer weather is keeping my spirits up. Apparently according to the Met Office we have just experienced the wettest June on record (no sh*t Sherlock). I realise that we cannot control the weather, but I was under the impression that the job of the Met Office was to forecast and inform us of what the weather is GOING to be like not what it WAS like, I know that, I was in it!! I cannot remember the last time I was able to plan anything with confidence based on so-called weather forecasts, if it cannot be done then save the money and shut down the Met Office with it's ridiculous budget and pointless record keeping.

On a positive note I am starting a new project that will show that you are not too old to achieve a dream. I am working with sponsors and a production company to show how with knowledge, commitment and hard work how I will develop myself into a competitive Strongman over the next 18 months. Over recent years I have concentrated on Strength Training, primarily to get bigger and stronger for novice Strongman events, but this will be a big leap to compete with the big guys. Very excited about it and will be posting regular updates and progress reports.

On the subject of competition, my eldest daughter has recently dealt with her fear of competing and committed herself to her school athletics team with great success. So far she is unbeaten in the 100 metres and has helped her school win through numerous heats to a regional final today which they won. The prize? Medals presented by Olympic Gold medallist Jason Gardener and a place in the National finals to be held, you guessed it at the Olympic stadium! 

As a stupidly proud father I am beaming from ear to ear, but her success is tempered by the fact that this competition happens annually whether we have the Olympics or not and that it is her school and parents that have encouraged (and funded) her athletics, this is no 'Olympic Legacy' story, but at least the white elephant stadium may get some use after London 2012.

Real world training for results - The 100 Program

First of all I must make it clear that I am not a certified trainer or health professional and have never claimed to be. I do however have over 25 years training experience and knowledge in areas as diverse as rock climbing, military training, strongman, powerlifting, rugby, bodybuilding and endurance training. 

This program is designed for people who live in the real world, with jobs, families, limited time and realistic expectations. I am an example of that, I am 43 years old, work full time as a Business Development Manager and have 2 children. I am 6'1" (185cms) Weigh 260lbs (117kgs) I have a 36" Waist, 50" Chest, 18" Neck and Arms and 25" Thighs. Therefore I am no cover model but I am in pretty good shape compared to my peers and many significantly younger than me!

I train 4-5 days a week and play Cricket twice a week in the summer. I can outrun most of the guys 10-20 years younger than me in the team and can certainly out lift them! 

This program will not make you the next World's Strongest Man or Mr Olympia, but if followed correctly and matched with proper nutrition, rest and commitment it WILL show significant results. It can be used by experienced trainers as a 'plateau buster' or by complete novices just wanting to get fitter and improve their physical appearance.

No training plan is unique any more, and many of you will recognise elements from other popular programs, it takes more than a passing nod to German Volume Training and the 100 Rep Challenge program but also takes elements from other areas too. I make no apologies for this because this is really a distillation of what I have learned in over 25 years of training. 

The fitness industry is worth £billions world-wide and much of this comes from magazine sales and on-line subscriptions to work-out channels. In order to keep people's interest, these publications carry a dizzying array of complex programs designed to 'Put 2" on your arms in 12 weeks' or get 'Jacked in 8 weeks' or 'Look like our cover model in 30 days'. 

Personally I have read these magazines for years and enjoy the articles, especially with the pro athletes many of whom I have had the privilege of meeting over the years. I still buy them occasionally but find the workouts almost incomprehensible and virtually impossible to fulfil unless  your gym is completely empty or you have your own fully equipped gym at home.

Over recent years I have personally concentrated on Strength Training, primarily to get bigger and stronger for novice Strongman events, I devised this program as a break from low rep high weight training and use it as part of a cycle that I follow year round.

Let's go!

The principles of this system could not be any simpler, the aim is to do 100 reps of a chosen exercise. 

That's it....

OK not quite, but the rules are simple and depending on your realistic expectations you choose the exercises and the intensity, but even 1 exercise per day will make a huge difference.

You Will Need.

1. Nothing, this program can be followed using bodyweight exercises. 
2. For bigger strength and size gains then a basic weight set, kettlebells or gym membership, but remember this is a simple no-nonsense program, only basic exercises and equipment are required for great results.

Rules

• Bodyweight exercises should be performed to failure on each set until you reach 100 total repetitions (except pull ups unless you are a Ninja or Chuck Norris.)

• Dumbell / Barbell exercise should be performed with 50-60% of your 1 Rep Maximum performed to failure on each set until you reach 100 total repetitions.
• Static Exercises aim hold for 100 secs per set.
• Intervals 20 seconds sprint 80 seconds walk / jog per set. 10 sets

Training Split

The program covers a 7 day cycle then repeats for 6 weeks, as we all live in the real world, if you miss a day stick to the cycle, either perform the missed exercise the next day along with the scheduled exercise (if you can recover well enough) or just put it down to a bad day and make sure you hit it harder when it next comes round.

1. Lower Body / Push
2. Interval
3. Back / Shoulders
4. Static
5. Arms
6. Interval
7. Rest

The Exercises

Lower Body

Squat (Front or Back)

Pistol Squats

Leg Press

Push

Press Ups

Bench Press (Dumbells or Bar)

Incline Press (Dumbells or Bar)

Interval

Sprinting

Skipping (Jump Rope to those that think Skipping is easy!)

Hill Sprints

Static

Plank

Hercules Hold

Side Bridge

Wall Squats

Back

Deadlift, Deadlift and Deadlift (do you get my point)

Barbell Rows

Dumbell Rows

Pull Ups

Shoulders

Military Press

Dumbell or Kettlebell Press

Arnold Press

Dumbell Clean and Press

Hang Clean and Press

Arms

Barbell / DB Curls

Hammer Curls

Seated Incline Curls

French Press

Close Grip French Press

Dips

Intensity

This is down to personal choice and discipline, as a beginner the aim of this program is to get the 100 done that day, however you make it. If that means doing 10 press ups every half an hour until you tick off 100 for the day then so be it.

10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10

If you want to beef up the intensity, take the bull by the horns and crank out as many reps as you can, rest 2-3 minutes and crank out some more until you eventually reach 100

25-20-15-12-10-8-7-3

If you want to be more scientific and follow GVT principles then take 50% of your 1 Rep Maximum and Crank out 10 reps 90 seconds rest then 10 reps. (If you 10 sets of 10 straight off then you need to up the weight.)

10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10

The overall key to this is by hook or by crook finish the hundred that is scheduled for that day.

To increase intensity and quicken your gains reduce rest times, increase weights, sprint quicker it's really simple.

Keep a record of sets and times and look to improve every day.

My Routine

As I have stated I am a 43 year old father of 2 in full-time employment, I am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination but I am fitter and stronger than the majority. So this IS real world training. Adapt to suit your favoured exercises and timescales.

1. Front Squats 10 x10 x 80kg Press Ups 45-30-20-5
2. Skipping 100 skips 100 seconds rest 10 times
3. Deadlifts 10 x10 x 140kg Military Press 10 x10 x 45kg
4. Plank 100 seconds hold 100 seconds rest 5 sets
5. EZ Bar Curls 10 x 10 x 25kg 1 Arm Tricep Press 10 x 10 x 12kg
6. Sprints 20 seconds 80 seconds rest 10 sets
7. Pheeeww!!

Finally!!

Having written this I have looked back and realise it can look a bit daunting but it is simple to follow if you are prepared to stick at it. 

If you break it down, each repetition should take about 4 seconds and you will be doing 200 of them, that's 13 and a half minutes of actual work! Even with the static exercises and intervals you are looking at 20 minutes actual work. Obviously rest between sets, getting to the gym etc will add time to this but an investment well worth making. After 6 weeks take a well deserved week off then either go back to the 100 program with different exercises or do a 6 week cycle of another program, mix it up to keep your interest alive, although I think the results will keep you motivated.

None of this is set in stone, follow it religiously and intensely and you will see quick results, fit it in around your normal day and you will be fitter and stronger it will just take a little longer.

Eat clean, moderate your alcohol intake and indulge in other sports and activities if you can overall lead a balanced lifestyle, enjoy the occasional curry or pizza, have a night out with your mates and don't beat yourself up if you miss the odd day of the programme but have this as a backbone to your fitter, stronger and healthier lifestyle. 

Let me know how it goes.

Stay Strong! 

A great deal to cover

As the rain continues to lash across the garden (and unfortunately the cricket pitch) I find myself with some time on my hands and as it's been over a month since my last missive, there is a lot to cover, from more Olympic bullshit to hosepipe bans with some sport and technology in between, so lets go!

I am sick and tired of being told how much I want the Olympics, I don't! I never have and I was never asked in the first place, with less than 100 days to go until the 2012 Olympics and the country's finances  in a terrible state the £9 billion folly seems even more criminal. I am told on a daily basis that the country is benefiting, but living up here in the Midlands, (which last time I looked was still part of England) we have no tangible benefit whatsoever. 

One of the original promises of the 2012 bid was that 2 million people would take up new sports as a result of the Olympic games, this lofty and worthy ideal was one of the first to be scrapped.

However I will reap the benefits of transport delays during the games when I visit London on business. Working in the IT and Telecommunications industry as I do, it will also be pleasure to handle all the objections from my clients regarding the warnings of 'unacceptable loads' on the telecommunications infrastructure in London at that time. This is most likely scaremongering on the scale of the Y2K bug (remember that?) but is yet another unwelcome side effect of the cursed Olympic games.

On the subject of sports and money, a number of football clubs have appointed administrators recently and some may disappear altogether due to horrendous financial mismanagement (so that's what Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling did next did next!) There seems to be a groundswell of support for local, regional or central government to 'bail' out these 'beloved' institutions. What utter bollocks, they are mismanaged businesses that need to be dealt with like any other. No one wants any business to go under because of the associated employees and suppliers that are affected, but it is a fact of life and having recently been forced to put 2 businesses with the official receiver there were no cries for the government to bail me out. Get real and run your business properly or face the consequences.

My favourite sport of Strongman is enjoying an increase in publicity and quality of competition this year with more clearly defined competition schedules, qualification criteria for World's Strongest Man and an increasing field of world class British athletes. 

We also have the good fortune to have many great strongmen competitions on British soil this year for all standards of the sport from novice to professional, the biggest being

Europe's Strongest Man 2012

ESM Facebook Page

This will be part of the Giants Live qualifying tour where the top 3 will go through to The World's Strongest Man finals later in the year, the field will be outstanding and it is another example of a minority sport growing due to the hard work and dedication of a few people. All these competitions are run on a shoestring budget but within sensible boundaries and not requiring government administrators or official receivers....football take note!

Only in this country can we have drought, hosepipe bans and flood warnings in the space of 7 days! I understand the science as to why we are still in drought with underground reservoirs not filling, excessive run-off and prolonged recent spells of reduced rainfall but you have to enjoy the irony.

That's all for now, time to train and feed.............................again

New Start for me back to the bad old days for others

I start a new job tomorrow, not just with relief but with real expectation. I have worked for myself for quite a few years, but in reality have just contracted my services to various organisations and not really built a business of any worth. I took a long hard look at where I had been successful in the past and realised that I had not only made more money personally, but created more wealth for others when working in a company environment. I spent many years providing products and services that delivered business benefit and value to my customers as well as my employers. So when I put my ego to one side and realised that I am better suited to this environment , I was mightily relieved that my new employer agreed and has given me a wonderful opportunity. There is plenty of room for successful entrepreneurs and business owners in this world, but realistically we cannot ALL run our own businesses or necessarily be any good at it.

On the subject of employees I cannot be anything but disgusted by Len McCluskey's remarks regarding strike action and 'civil disobedience' during the Olympics. If you have read my previous blogs (Welcome Back and Olympic Joy), you will know I am no fan of London hosting the games this year, I believe that £9 billion could have been far better used to regenerate areas around the country not just the East End of London. Or maybe, just maybe, and I am being a touch controversial here, providing adequate rehabilitation facilities for injured servicemen and women, or schools, hospitals or provision for the elderly who's pensions have been mismanaged and cannot afford proper care.

To listen to Mr McCluskey is like taking a time machine back to the late 1970's and early 1980's. Careful what you wish for, because the blinkered, outdated and belligerent actions of the unions almost led to their extinction back then. Union leaders consistently seem to ignore the general public and how we have to put up with the day to day inconvenience and cost of their strike actions. In case you hadn't noticed our economy and many others is in the shit because of chronic mismanagement, predominantly by a Union supported Labour government between 1997 and 2010. These union members have jobs and pensions and should understand the need for us all to pull together with some sensible austerity measures or end up like Greece, or out of a job. Suggesting his members and other citizens should aim to sabotage the Olympics because "..the Olympics provide us with an opportunity, then that's exactly one that we should be looking at."

Prick!, we've already undemocratically spent £9 billion on the games, so why jeopardise the chance of getting some money back into the country's coffers? Wouldn't you just love to be locked in a room with these people and have the opportunity to give them a dose of the real world? He is as out of touch with reality as the majority of our politicians.

As an aside, but reference the Olympics, it was with heartfelt joy that I found out that the £500 million contingency fund for the Olympics has not been touched and is unlikely to be needed, proving beyond doubt that the Olympics will come in under budget. UNDER BUDGET??? Which budget would that be? The original bid budget projection in 2005 was £2 Billion and now we are looking at an overall spend of £9.35 Billion. Pick a number, double it, double it again and wow look at us we still need more money!! Change it again and NOW we are under budget, known in the trade as Greek Accountancy practice.

We have a number of world class athletes competing this weekend in America at the Arnold 2012 sports festival. Not mainstream, but the sport of Strongman enters our homes every Christmas with The World's Strongest Man. Last year two English athletes Terry Hollands and Laurence Shahlaei came 3rd and 4th in WSM 2011 and this weekend they will be competing in the Arnold 2012 Strongman Classic , probably one of the strongest events outside WSM itself, two great athletes and ambassadors for the sport. Good luck guys.

Until next time......