[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Hot off the heels from the September Shred comes our Member of the Month Nic Holland. Joining us only a few months back Nic worked hard to understand the technical jargon and then once Sept Shred began, he climbed the leader board one point at a time. 

 So why did Nice choose our type of training and conditioning? Well, he says for himself that finding traditional resistance training to be un-motivating and super boring. “It also goes very slow and an hour feels like two hours. This type of strength and conditioning is more enjoyable, it helps me to perform better and achieve my goals easier”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][us_image image=”10914″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“I love group fitness it is so much easier to stay motivated than going it alone, and as long as I turn up to class everything else is taken care of for me. The best thing about BBB is the accountability, entering our results from each class and being able to see the progress over time is very encouraging” While we love that Nic loves our groups we had to check in on what he found most daunting before joining into the family of BBB. 

“I have terrible social anxiety and find it hard to talk to people I don’t know!! So those first few classes were very daunting, BUT after a while, I realized everyone was super friendly and since then it has been great.” 

Like everyone there had to be challenges that Nic faced before joining us and for Nic, hitting a plateau in training was the trigger. “My body was just kind of staying the same no matter what I did. I also have issues with motivating myself to stick to nutrition plans… I have a sweet tooth for sure.” You may be asking yourself as you sit there reading this and sipping on your pumpkin spice latte’s what made Nic leap to join?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]“I was doing HIIT training with another gym that was too focused on cardio and had barely any strength training or skill/technique development. Because I was doing so much cardio, I was unable to retain lean muscle mass without also doing additional resistance training each day. I had heard about BBB through a friend and saw that it combined all the things I was looking for.” 

 And as for Nic’ goals? “Initially I was super focused on learning proper technique across all exercises – especially with cleans and snatches. I had never done them before.” 

 One of my favourite questions to ask our MOTM’ is how we helped them along the road to their goals. With Nic’ answer, I felt warm and giddy inside, like those pumpkin spice latte’ promise to make you feel. “Even when classes are full, I find the trainers are always able to give you tips on individual technique… particularly if they can tell I am struggling with something. The Wodify app is also really great – meaning that there is no stress in booking classes and looking up my previous results while also tracking my progress.” [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][us_image image=”10915″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1501650547414{margin-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]So where is Nic now? Apart from winning the September Shred, he has also hit some incredible goals. “In the last couple of months, I’ve been able to start doing proper toes to bar, kipping pull-ups, double-under, snatches, overhead squats and handstand push-ups. I never thought I’d be able to do those things! Looking forward to smashing handstand walks and muscle-ups in the next 6-12 months.”

 I bet you are wondering if Nic faces any challenges nowadays, well, in fact, he does still have pain points that he tackles. “CALLUSES!!! I’m learning how to be better at recovery so that I’m fresh for each class and not feeling too many residual aches from the day before. I also have long/disproportionate legs, which makes certain exercises difficult to do correctly. Working on my flexibility is helping and I plan to keep at it!”

 You have probably got all through this to realize that we haven’t spoken about the September Shred, well fret not for I hold all the answers. After pushing through the hurdle, Nic won the 30-day challenge and changed for the better. So we had to see how he did it. 

 “I have always attended 5-6 classes a week at BBB, but I never fully committed to a stricter diet. Having the accountability of the Wodify Rise and BBB Sept Shred, it gave me a competitive mental incentive to stick with it and see how far I could take it in the 30-days.”

 So would Nic do it again, would he recommend the shred to any inquisitive minds? “Do it!! And go hard from day 1. After a month of developing healthier habits, it feels weird to go back to how I was before. I’m bringing those habits into my every day now, without feeling like I’m missing out on anything – specifically now I’m walking to/from work and gym (equals to about 9k steps for me), never skipping out on training on Mondays, especially after a big weekend, and I am more motivated and prepared to stick to my diet during the weekdays (relaxing on the weekend though.) Not only that, but I’ve been hitting PB’s the entire month and I feel stronger and faster than ever.”

 We can’t wait to see what Nic gets up to next and watch him smash through those Handstand walks. 

 by 

Brett Winchester[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]