Matt swing a bell under blue skies!

Awesome to see Matt behind the Camera on an epic adventure!

Return To Afghanistan: Behind The Scenes – Sky1 HD.

So lets rewind almost 2 years. I got an email from Matt in March of 2010. He was looking to get back into shape and asked if I could help out.

Matt is a Producer/Director/Camera Man and all round nice guy.

Matt had come back from doing a documentary “Joanna Lumley’s Nile” and had spent to much time in the chair editing and not enough time running around with the camera . So he really just wanted to shed some weight and get back to into fitness.

Matt enjoys the outdoors and running, so we arrange to do runs in the forest and I often set up circuits using bells, power bags, tyres and anything the outdoors had to offer.

Matt Behind the Camera

I needed Matt’s training to be relevant and challenging. Which I presume is why he came to me. Forget the comforts of the warm studio or the social hours of 9-5. We trained in ever condition imaginable! Most would stay home or fake an illness. But we were out running, swinging Kettlebells or just generally destroying Matt in every way possible. One particular morning we headed out to mountain bike in -15 degrees and thick snow! Matt’s warm up was pushing my car up an icy slope and out the snow. Thanks again Matt!

But when you consider the alternative you understand Matts determination and my persistence to get him fit.

Matt needs to be fit! He needs to be able to keep up with Ross and the British Soldiers while carrying much of the same gear they do, plus a massive HD camera as the Matt would often need to be camera man too.

Ross comments; “The lens on a HD camera means viewers get a far better understanding of how close to the artillery rounds we really are,” However, filming in HD does present its own unique problems. “The HD camera is bigger and heavier,” says Ross. “Because of its size the Taliban would target us thinking we were carrying weapons. It was worth it though to come away with the quality of footage we filmed”.

Matt needed to be strong enough to lift heavy cameras and kit everyday, without gaining muscle that would weigh him down when he needed run or hike all day following Ross and the Army.

We worked on strength endurance primarily. This gave Matt all the strength benefits without the draw back of  excess muscle.

To be able to work with Matt on something like this has been a privilege and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Congrats Matt and Ross! Another awesome series.

Here is his report : Ilford Woodford Recorder Review

Hopefully you will all pop in to play with the new kit.

I started Total Training Systems a 1 to 1 fitness company without boundaries about 8 years ago training clients in their homes and local parks with the idea that my training would be completely versatile and offer the client the freedom to regularly try something new . Although training needs to be professional and effective, it should also offer flexibility to keep it interesting.

Total Training Systems has now progressed to the stage where I am pleased to announce the opening of our new studio. It not only keeps us warm and dry (especially in the winter) but has allowed us the opportunity to get specialist kit to keep on top of clients progress and makes for an involved and exciting training experience, where clients can focus on themselves and enjoy the training, knowing that we have taken the stress out of fitness. We offer many diverse types of training in a number of surroundings. Our Body Fat Percentage testing, Blood Lactate analysis, lung function, Cycling Turbo Trainer and Power Meters, complement our existing kit which includes TRX suspension System, Kettle Bells, Power Bags, Boxing and much more! With this diversity, we can train anywhere, anytime! “Gosh that went quick!” is my number one favourite comment from my clients – because time flies when you are having fun!

We are unique in that we can offer a highly focus training plan that is private and professional. We cater for Elite athletes looking for precise training and measurements or even Postnatal Mum that wants to get back to fitness and bring the baby too. We train many walks of life, some of our more interesting and fun programs were for clients like:

The Fat Boy Project – 2 fat blokes looking to ride ultra-endurance cycling events (their name and description not ours)

Project Afghanistan – Film Director training for his war zone documentary

Project Inca Trail – A Whipps Cross Radiographer who trained to climb the Inca Trek

Project time trial – Cyclist looking to break 25 minutes for 10 miles

M.A.D Boot Camp – Expectant Mum and Dad dropping weight

Only happens once – A Mum losing weight for her Daughters 21st