Monday, December 29, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym Naomi and I hit our legs.

Within the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage is a squat rack to allow you to perform squats safely and a leg extension / leg curl machine.

There are numerous different exercises that can be performed within the gym for legs, here is a short list.

Squats
Front squats
Dumbbell squats
lunges
leg extension
leg curl
straight leg good mornings
dead lifts

Training legs at the Brittany holiday cottage



So if your having a holiday at either La Forge or La Veille maison your still able to have a good leg workout within the free weights gym.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym we were back in the gym again, this time for me was chest and triceps.

I started with: 5 sets of decline barbell bench press, followed by 3 sets of flat barbell bench press

then for triceps: 5 sets of angled triceps push downs, followed by 3 sets of rope push downs.

All in all just a 35 minute workout and then back in to La Veille Maison where we had pre-lite the wood burning stove to welcome us home to a nice and cosy cottage.

Day before 1995 ANB south east
The free weights gym has enough equipment and weight for most to enjoy a great workout while enjoying a holiday at our holiday cottages, either La forge or La Veille Maison.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with gym and private heated swimming pool

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with gym and private heated swimming pool was legs day and what a great workout was had.

I started with 7 sets of ultra deep squats - finishing with 140kg for 8 reps. then 4 sets of leg extensions then finishing with 4 sets of leg curls.

Above is a video of some of my past shows.

The gym at the holiday cottage is available for all guest use staying in La Forge and La veille Maison.




Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym we woke up to a very overcast day with 100% cloud cover. Its expected to brighten up later in the day with temperatures around 10 degrees today and for the rest of the week.

For Christmas this year it looks like its going to be a bright and sunny day here at the Brittany holiday cottage judging by the weather forecast.

Guest often ask what the weather is going to be like and I have found over the last 9 years this weather site is very accurate.

We enjoy the winter months at the Brittany holiday cottage because its so lovely having a wood burning stove to keep you warm as the nights draw in and the temperature drops or to revive the fire in the morning from the embers and have a gentle fire burning throughout the day.

Due to its micro climate the Morbihan region of southern Brittany where we are situated is milder than the UK in the winter while enjoying more bright sunny days from the spring on wards than the UK.

We very rarely see snow here, for example when the UK was covered in snow a few years ago in March - Naomi and I were sun bathing on the terrace of La veille Maison and swimming in the heated swimming pool.

enjoying the heated pool in April


La Forge is available to rent all year, where as La veille Maison is available from  June onwards until September.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

After two days rest at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym, Naomi and I hit the gym again for another workout.

I trained back and biceps while Naomi trained chest and triceps.

I'm getting really motivated again  after 2 years of just messing around with inconsistent training and eating loads of rubbish to be currently the heaviest I've ever been in my life ( 19st 4lbs) - after a solid 4 weeks in the gym with eating clean although not any lighter I feel leaner and my body shape has changed.

One thing I've decided to do is compete again in 2016 and need to loose 6 stone over the next 18 months. In addition to a strict diet  I will be mixing up my workouts by incorporating different exercises.

Today I did :

5 sets out ultra wide behind the neck pull downs ( we have a 60 inch wide bar )
5 sets of narrow pull downs to the front.

3 sets of dead lifts

In over 30 years of training I've never done dead lifts, but looking at how some of the champions are training they all incorporate this exercise in to there workouts. Ive always had the widest back on stage but one thing I seem to lack is the depth so I'm hoping this not only will be improving my lower back but assist in my leg biceps and overall thickness in my back.

1995 ANB south east

training back at the Brittany holiday cottage
For biceps I did 5 sets of  EZ bar preacher curls

The gym at the Brittany holiday cottage allows anyone to have a good workout.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today is rest day at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym for Naomi and I after hitting the gym for the last 3 days. Legs are still sore after working out on Monday afternoon.

With the gym located at the end of the Brittany holiday cottages there really is no excuse not to train - before the gym was created I used to train in Pontivy a 20 minute drive from the cottages  so now only 20 meters away I manage to train in the time I used to spend in the car for each workout.

The market town of Baud is just 3 miles from La Forge and La veille maison and offers 3 supermarkets, over a dozen restaurants, 4 or 5 bakers yet there is not a free weights gym so having use of a gym at the Brittany holiday cottage is a real bonus.

Training legs at the Brittany holiday cottage with gym

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool

We awoke today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool with a bright sunny day - warm enough to sit outside on the terrace of La veille maison to hear the surrounding bird song.

View from the terrace of  La veille Maison terrace - the larger Brittany holiday cottage 
We are looking forward to March and the start of spring when we re-open the swimming pool for the above view from the terrace of La veille Maison the second and larger Brittany holiday cottage located in Kerbourbon just 3 miles from the market town of Baud.

La Veille Maison is available from the end of June until September , where as La Forge is available throughout the year. The swimming pool is offered on a private basis from the end of March until the end of June for guest staying in La Forge - however La veille Maison can be made available for larger parties who wish to rent both holiday cottages.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym, Naomi and I hit the gym again. I trained back, biceps and traps while Naomi did chest and triceps.

training at the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage

My workout consisted of :

5 sets of wide pull downs to rear
5 sets narrow pull downs to front
3 sets dumbell bent over rowing
2 sets dumbell shrugs

4 sets Z-bar barbell curls
2 sets preacher curls


The gym is available to use for all our guest staying in La Forge and La Veille Maison holiday cottages.

Having a free weights gym is a great bonus for those keep fit fanatics or body builders who wish to continue there training while enjoying a holiday in France.

There are no public gyms in Baud the nearest one is in Pontivey and at 11 euros a workout plus travel cost - really goes to show what a bonus we offer at our Brittany holiday cottages by having our own free weights gym.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym we reflect over the last 8 months how Naomi has got back in to shape after giving birth too James in March.

The results of the gym at the Brittany holiday cottage
During the summer Naomi swam a mile per day in the heated swimming pool and also worked hard in the gym - she is now performing personal best in the gym which is a great feat.

Our Brittany holiday cottage has a free weights gym that includes a multi changeable bench press - allowing flat, incline and decline bench press, lat pull down machine, squat rack, leg extension /curl machine, preacher bench and  Swiss ball for abb work. In addition a range of dumbbells and enough weight for anyone to have a great workout.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym , Naomi and I hit the gym again for an upper body workout.

Naomi did back and biceps while I trained chest and triceps.

The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud
I started with 5 sets of decline bench press followed with 5 sets of flat bench press - then for triceps 5 sets of tricep push downs with bar followed with 2 sets of rope push downs.

The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage is available for all guest enjoying a holiday at La Forge and La Veille Maison and of course you can always enjoy a swim to unwind after the workout.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym

Last night at the Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym, Naomi and I trained legs.

Training in the gym at our Brittany holiday cottage
Naomi did a personal best of 120 kilo squats - I guess I should buy some additional weight so I keep well ahead of her. For those serious trainers the bar can be loaded up to 200 kilos currently which should provide anyone with enough resistance during there holiday at either La Forge of La Veille Maison holiday cottages.

Late booking deal at the Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

With just 2 weeks away we have a late booking deal at the Brittany holiday cottage near Baud to enjoy Christmas or see in the new year in France.

Enjoy Christmas at the Brittany holiday cottage
Book a week at the Brittany holiday cottage for just £250 reduced from £399 starting 20th December

La forge is available to rent all year - where as La veille Maison is just available from the end of June through to September

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Our Brittany holiday cottage / gite near Baud with a private heated swimming pool

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas at our Brittany holiday cottage / gite near Baud with a private heated swimming pool - we look back over the last season and how we enjoyed the many guest who stayed with whom we have made friends with.

With both cottages available during the summer we enjoyed the company of some wonderful people enjoying there holidays here at the Brittany holiday cottage / gite near Baud.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym

Over the last 2 weeks at the Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym, Naomi and I have stopped eating any treats - keeping to a clean diet.

We have been back in the free weights gym located at the Brittany holiday cottage and both of us have retained our strength levels that we had prior to having a few weeks off.

I'm squatting 150kg for 8 deep reps while Naomi manages 10 reps for 110 kg using a shallower squat.

For the new season at the Brittany holiday cottage our intention is to purchase additional equipment for the gym, including a pair of 20kg disk allowing any one with the strength to squat 200 kg.

My goal will be to get up to a 200 kg squat next year - my personal best was 220 kg for 3 reps but I was 30 years old then.

The gym at the Brittany holiday cottage


Having a free weights gym located at the Brittany holiday cottages is a wonderful bonus for guest wishing to take a French holiday and have access to a gym.

La Forge is available to rent all year where as La Veille Maison is available just during the summer months.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym

During the low season at the Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym we offer short term stays.

The low season starts from the start of October through to the end of March and during this period we offer the holiday cottage at just £50 per night ( min stay 3 nights). As the holiday cottage comfortably sleeps 6 with 3 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms its a great bargain baring in mind a local hotel - the 'Auberge du Cheval Blanc' charges more than that rate for just a room.

Living room of  the Brittany holiday cottage 

Living room of the Brittany holiday cottage