Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The gym / fitness center based at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

After two days rest it was back in the gym / fitness center based at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud for chest and triceps today.

I started of with 7 sets of incline bench press using the extreme fat gripz and finishing on 100 kg for 6 reps - training on my own I have to be very careful not to go to heavy and risk a fail, its just to dangerous.

Then to finish my chest it was 4 sets of decline bench press.

Now my triceps were already fatigued I started them of with 6 sets of cable push downs starting on just 20 kg for 30 reps and increasing the weight up to 50 kg but reducing the reps with each set- then finished of with 3 sets of rope push downs.

Just 40 minutes in the gym and job done!

The gym at our holiday cottage is available to use for our guest staying in either La Forge or La Veille Maison. 

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

The gym / fitness center located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

After a good leg workout on Saturday at the gym / fitness center located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud - it was back and biceps on Sunday.

We have one piece of equipment within the gym that makes a big difference in achieving a very wide back and that is a 60 inch lat pull down bar that I searched for a few years ago - most gyms just offer a 36 inch bar or if your lucky a 48 inch bar but the difference in the extra wide bar is phenomenal.

I have always had the widest back on stage and I think using the wide bar is one of the main reasons for my back development.

Using the 60 inch lat pull down bar at the gym in Baud
After hitting 6 sets behind the neck pull downs with the wide bar,I narrowed the bar and performed 4 sets of pull downs to the front followed by 4 sets of narrow pull downs.

Then finished of the workout with 4 sets of EZ curls  using the extreme fat gripz.

The gym at our holiday cottage near Baud is always evolving and next year we will be adding a dip station and pull up bar.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Gym / fitness center open at Christmas at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

With two days of gluttony behind me I am so glad our Gym / fitness center is open at Christmas at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud.

There are public gyms in local towns that actually close for 2 weeks at Christmas which I still to this day find hard to accept - luckily we have our own gym located at the Brittany holiday cottage.

Today it was legs and as I have been feeling a little sore in my right knee for the last few workouts since switching to front squats I started of with a few sets of leg extensions to warm the knees up and this worked a treat.

I then performed 6 sets of rock bottom front squats finishing on 120 kg for 5 reps, followed by 6 sets of leg extensions, 5 sets of leg curls, 3 sets of straight leg dead lifts and finishing with 4 sets of standing calf raises.

The Gym at our Brittany holiday cottage is open all year for guest to enjoy.

Christmas at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

This year we spent Christmas at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud as a family and just enjoyed a quite day together.

First train set
James received his first train set from his grandparents which he really enjoyed play with.

La Forge is available to rent during the Christmas and New years celebrations so if you fancy a holiday in France over the Christmas period we offer some great deals.

La Veille Maison is available from the May half term holiday through to the start of September.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Enjoying the Christmas holidays in Baud at our Brittany holiday cottage

As we enjoy the Christmas holidays in Baud at our Brittany holiday cottage, we have been popping out to different locations to see all the Christmas lights.

Our holiday cottage is just 3 miles from the lovely market town of Baud and every year it puts us in the mood for Christmas with its display of Christmas lights.

The Church at Baud dressed for Christmas

Baud Church in southern Brittany

The St Cado chapel (17th century) Baud
The St Cado chapel located in the center of Baud was built in the 17th century and is a prominent feature of the town.

La Forge and La Veille Maison are located in the lovely hamlet of Kerbourbon just 3 miles from Baud with all its amenities.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Enjoying Christmas festivities from our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Naomi and I are enjoying Christmas festivities from our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud this year by visiting a few of our favorite tourist attractions to see there Christmas lights.

Just 25 minutes from La Forge our Brittany holiday cottage is the medieval town of Vannes with its old port, fortified medieval town center and its 14th century Gothic cathedral.

Vannes at Christmas

Vannes at Christmas

Vannes at Christmas

Vannes at Christmas

Vannes at Christmas

Vannes at Christmas

Vannes at Christmas
La Forge is available to rent all year - why not enjoy your Christmas or new year holiday staying in our wonderful cottage decorated for the festive season.

The Brittany holiday cottage near Baud decorated for the festive season

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with private pool and gym

Just 25 minutes from our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with private pool and gym is the wonderful medieval town of Josselin with its beautiful castle and medieval dwellings.

Yesterday we popped along late afternoon to see the Christmas decorations and to see the town at night. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed a hot chocolate in one of the restaurants.

Christmas lights at Josselin

Christmas lights at Josselin

Medieval Josselin

Wonderful illuminated church outside of Josselin Castle

Entrance for the grounds of Josselin Castle 
 Josselin is one of many great tourist attractions located within a 30 minute drive of our holiday cottages La Forge and La veille Maison

During December you can enjoy all the Christmas activities staying in La Forge for just £299 per week or celebrate Christmas or the New year for just £399 per week.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Weight training at the gym / fitness center located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

I've had a couple of good days weight training at the gym / fitness center located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud this week.

On Wednesday it was leg day and I performed 6 sets of front squats up to 120 kg for 6 reps, followed by 6 sets of leg extensions and 4 sets of leg curls.

Today I performed dead lifts and performed a new personal best of 140 kg for 10 reps - the fact I only started dead lifting at the start of the year makes me thrilled to bits, In January I could not even lift 120 kg of the floor! ( no belt or straps worn)

Tomorrow I'm back in the gym for back and biceps and Sunday its chest and triceps - Monday is a rest day then the cycle starts all over again.

The gym / fitness center is available all year for guest staying in either La Forge or La veille Maison holiday cottages to enjoy.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool near Baud

During the low season at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool near Baud I get to do the jobs that can not be done while we have guest staying.

Over last weekend I tackled the 2 tree stubs in the garden and have found a very easy way of getting rid of the stumps. After doing research on the internet I decided that burning the stumps was going to be the easiest solution.

Here are the basis steps on how to burn a tree stump with ease:

1: I dug down 6 inches below ground level to allow the stump to be burnt below ground level.
2: I drilled 1 inch holes 6 inches deep all over the top of the stump and half way down at an angle in to the center of the stump.
3:I then filled the holes with kerosene and allowed to soak in for 24 hours.
4: I then placed a metal drum over the stump and filled the drum with charcoal to cover the stump which was 12 inches above ground level and lit the coals.
5: I then reduced all the airflow after the coals were lit and then just waited and in 48 hours with one additional top up of coals I was left with just a hole in the ground.

The stumps were completely gone - It was such an easy way to get rid of the tree stumps and at a relatively low cost.

The ground will now be used to extend the children s play area in the garden after its covered with safety mats and bark in case of falls from the climbing frames.

Our Brittany holiday cottage is very much a child friendly holiday destination.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near baud

After a 2 day rest I was back in the gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud yesterday for a dead lift session and today for back and biceps.

With a slight sore throat at the moment I must admit both days I did not have the inclination to train but felt very guilty already having 2 days off so it was a case of just getting in there and doing it.

The gym / fitness center is available for all our guest to use either staying in La Forge or La Veille Maison.


Using the wide grip bar in the gym at our Brittany holiday cottage is great for a wide back

Thursday, November 26, 2015

The Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool near Baud

Yesterday at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool near Baud the 3 meter slide arrived for our new planned children's activity area in the garden.

We already created the tiny tots play area this year which suits 2 - 7 year old's and the next stage is to create an area more suited for 5 -12 years of age.

The children s play area at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool
The slide will be fixed to a yet to be built climbing frame with the intention of having a climbing wall, a rope and a ladder to reach the upper platform.

Our Brittany holidays cottages La Forge and La Veille Maison are very much a child friendly holiday destination and we are always thinking of ideas to keep the children happy so that the parents can relax.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Training legs at the free weights gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

On Monday I was back training legs at the free weights gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud and enjoyed a great workout.

I'm trying to mix up my workouts every few weeks now and started with 6 sets of front squats starting on 60 kgs and increasing by 20 kg each set until i reached 120 kgs.

Front squats are a lot harder than normal squats mainly due to the difficulty of holding the bar in place, its either on your throat a little which makes breathing difficult or its lower and your fighting to hold the bar in position as it try's to roll down your chest.

Below is a video of normal squats - 160 kgs for 7 reps which I'm currently doing at the gym located at our Brittany holiday cottage



Front squats tend to put more focus on your quadriceps and I hope will build a better outer sweep.

After the squats it was 5 sets of leg extensions, 4 sets of leg curls and 4 sets of standing calf raises.

The health club / fitness center is available for our guest staying in La Forge and La Veille maison

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Weight training at the gym located at the Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Yesterday I was back weight training at the gym located at the Brittany holiday cottage near Baud for a quick dead lift session.

In previous workouts I've been working on increasing my reps on 140 kg with now managing 8 reps - yesterday I decided to try something new with just a 5 rep count on all weights to conserve energy for a bigger weight. It was all going very well up to the 140 kg with a very easy 5 reps, I then increased to 160 kg and could not even lift it off the ground - feeling very disappointed!

I think what I should have done in hindsight was to increase just by 5 kg each set after the 140 kg rather than a 20 kg increase in one hit.

Still there is always next workout at the gym.

The gym / fitness center is located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud in the Morbihan region of southern Brittany.

The gym / fitness center / health club located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud


One thing I noticed after living in France for 10 years is how hard it is to find a good health club so having a gym / fitness center on site is a big bonus for our guest enjoying a holiday in France and still wishing to train.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with private swimming pool and gym

Today at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with private swimming pool and gym we confirmed another booking for next year - we have now set a new record for the amount of weeks booked before Christmas for the following season.

Last year we set a new record of having 8 weeks booked and now we have 10 weeks booked for next year - whats even more pleasing is that we took this booking on Monday just after the attacks in Paris.

Last year we noticed enquiries  went very quite in February after the last attack and took a month to gain momentum again, I guess people realize that it might become a common occurrence around the world now and they need just to get on with life.

Also we are some 400 miles from Paris and being a rural location with no need to fly we could become a very popular holiday location in years to come as it would be considered a very safe holiday destination.

La Forge is available to rent all year where as La veille Maison is available from the end of May until the start of September.

We still have Christmas and the New year weeks available - why not book and enjoy a Christmas in France for just £299 per week reduced from £449 at our Brittany holiday cottage

The Brittany holiday cottage decorated for Christmas


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Friday, November 20, 2015

Weight training in the gym located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Yesterday I was back weight training in the gym located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with a chest and tricep workout,

Started of with incline barbell press for 6 sets followed by 4 sets of decline bench for my chest - then 6 sets of triceps pull downs.

12st 5lbs in this picture - hope to come in at 13 st for my next show 


Having the gym located at the Brittany holiday cottage is a great bonus as it allows you to have a quick workout each day if desired without any fuzz - most of my workouts are around 40 minutes in duration.

I've noticed a lot of our guest staying in either La Forge or La Veille Maison have done the same - rather than have 1 1/2 workouts as I used to to when training more body parts in one session they come in, hit a muscle group then go back and enjoy time with there families.

Because the closest public gym is located in Pontivey when I used to train there I would have a 2 hour workout because the travel time was 40 minutes for the return trip and along with the cost 11 euros per workout I made sure I got my monies worth while in the gym.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

The fitness center / free weights gym at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Yesterday at our fitness center / free weights gym located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud was a rest day - when I say rest day that's a rest from lifting weights but not exercise.

So with the 20 kg weighted vest on I did 4 times up the local hill - jogging up twice and doing lunges for the other two accents.

The 20 kg weighted vest used for my cardio sessions


At each summit I was absolutely knackered and needed the downward walk to recover my breathing and allow my legs to recover.

From the look of the hill it does not look that bad but when your walking it you realize how steep it is, especially wearing the weighted vest. I guess the hill is around 250 meters long.

I've only been hitting the diet and cardio for the last 6 weeks and I've only lost a couple of lbs but I am so much leaner and stronger. I guess its the old adage its not what you weigh that counts but how you look and fit in your clothes.

I'm back in the gym today at the Brittany holiday cottage for a chest, shoulder and tricep workout.


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool near Baud

During the low season at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool near Baud we have some very good late season bargains to be had for those wishing to enjoy Brittany during the Autumn and winter months.

From the start of October until 12th March you can enjoy a week now for just £249 per week reduced down from £299 or the weeks a round Christmas or New year for just £349 per week reduced from £449.

Our Brittany holiday cottage ready for the Christmas and New year celebrations 


La Forge is decorated for the festive season with a Christmas tree and if you book both weeks we provide a complimentary turkey to enjoy.


Saturday, November 14, 2015

Training at our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Back training at our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud today with a leg workout.

My right knee was feeling a little week all day so started of with a couple of sets of light leg extensions 20 plus reps to warm it all up.

I then started squats with just 60 kg on the bar then increased each set by 20 kg until finishing on 6 reps for 140 kg low squats.

I then moved on to leg extensions and performed sets starting on 20 kg and increasing by 10 kg each set to finish on 60 kg and doing 20 reps on each set even if only moving a few inches on the last few reps of the heaviest set.

Then 4 sets of leg curls and 4 sets of standing calf raises.

I've always enjoyed training legs in the gym at our Brittany holiday cottage
The gym / fitness center is available for all our guest to use staying in La Forge or La Veille Maison.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with pool and gym

Just got in from the gym at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud and completed a new personal best 8 reps for 140 kg on dead lifts.

After I did 8 very easy reps at 120 kg I knew I was going to do my new target for the 140 kg - one step at a time, once I hit 10 reps I'll increase to 160 kg and do the same again.

Christmas tree on my lower back
With starting dead lifts this year at the gym at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud I am hoping to thicken my back.

Weight training and keeping fit at our Brittany holiday cottage with gym / fitness center near Baud

Well the weight training and keeping fit at our Brittany holiday cottage with gym / fitness center near Baud is going very well - I'm getting leaner as each week passes by and stronger at the same time.

Yesterday and today I did the hill walk with my new toy, a 20 kg weighted vest - I went up and down 3 times this morning before breakfast and really notice the up hill section. My quads and leg biceps are feeling it the most and I'm hoping this will not only shift the fat but create better separation in my legs come competition time.

I think that 30 minutes will be my max, although fairly comfortable the vest does cause some neck ache.

This afternoon its back in the gym at the holiday cottage for a dead lift session with my goal to hit 8 reps plus on the 140 kg.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Weight lifting in our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near baud

I reported earlier today my goals for weight lifting in our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud and can confirm a new personal best of 7 reps for 140 kgs.

I was going to give up on 6 reps but after writing my goal of increasing the reps by at least 1 each week I dug deep and managed that extra one.

I really enjoy the dead lifts and although a very short workout - just 6 sets in 20 minutes my heart pounds for the entire duration and afterwards I know I've worked hard.

Looking forward to training legs again tomorrow at the gym.

La Forge Brittany holiday cottage is only 3 miles from Baud.

The weight training gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Today at the weight training gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud is dead lift day.

I have only been doing dead lifts since the start of this year and at the start I could not lift 120 kg from the floor - now I've done 160 kg for 2 reps or 140 kg for 6.

My next goal is to work on my rep range rather than trying personal best - so my goal is to get to 20 reps for 140 kg, the aim being to perform 1 or 2 additional reps for each workout.

weight training and body building gym near Baud


The gym at our holiday cottage has sufficient weight available for most levels of weight trainers and body builders to have a good workout being able to load a bar up to 200 kg and from next year up to 240 kg with the purchase of some new weights.

Every year our endevour is to increase the facilities within the gym so that guest staying at either La Forge or La Veille Maison are able to have a good workout if so desired.


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Our Gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage with pool near Baud

Today at our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage with pool near Baud Naomi had a good weight training session by training her legs.

She had gone up initially to 10 reps for 100 kg but after work from me we worked on getting lower on the squat and now she is doing low squats 10 reps for 50 kg and she says how much more she is getting from the better form.

The gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage


I'm now doing 140 kg low squats for 6 reps and last session did a 6 second pause at the bottom of each rep.My goal is to be at 160 kg for 6 deep reps by Christmas. My personal best when at 30 was 220 kg for 2 reps and  145 kg for 20 reps.

The fitness center / gym is a wonderful bonus for guest wishing to keep fit while on holiday at our holiday cottages La Forge or La veille maison.

Monday, November 2, 2015

The gym and fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Just had a great workout at our gym and fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud - chest and triceps.

I'm mixing the exercises up within each workout, today I did the following.

6 sets of incline bench with the extreme grips up to 80 kg
4 sets of decline bench press with the grips and pausing for 4/5 seconds at the bottom for one set.

Then it was 6 sets of tricep push downs followed by 3 sets of rope push downs.

The fitness center is available for all our guest to use that stay in La Forge and La Veille Maison.

Our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool

Yesterday was back and biceps while today at our gym / fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool is chest and triceps.



Having a gym / fitness center situated at our Brittany holiday cottage is a great bonus for all staying for a holiday and wishing to keep fit and trim.


Sunday, November 1, 2015

The gym and fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool near Baud

Today at the gym and fitness center at our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool near Baud, Naomi and I are looking to have workouts.

Naomi will be training chest and back while I'm doing back and biceps.

Getting ready to compete in 2009 at the gym at our holiday cottage
I now train a 3 day split training each body part around the 5th or 7th day after the initial workout depending on how sore I'm feeling.

Each year we ad to the gym so that returning guest staying in La Forge or La Veille maison and indeed ourselves benefit from additional equipment.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with heated pool and gym

Today at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud with heated pool and gym is rest day for me but I'm struggling not to go in the gym - which I guess is a very good sign.

I weighed myself today and seem to have put on 2 lbs even though I have been very good on my diet - however I do feel a lot leaner and my muscles are showing more, I guess with all this gym work and diet I've lost fat but gained muscle.

I'm back to how I looked in February before the injury in my right elbow that effected me for 6 months of this year,

I'm eating 5 times per day, starting with 3 weetabix and an omelet, roast chicken with vegetables (no potatoes) and 7 egg omelets ( just 1 yoke) through the day and just snaking on fruit.

I'm currently 19 st 2lbs - my next scheduled cheat meal is on 7th November lets see how my weight changes over the next 10 days! If it does not start coming off soon I guess the only thing to do is start some cardio. My aim is to get down to 13 stone for a show next year.

In the mean time I have decided to start training my abbs on my rest day, firstly to feed my first for training and secondly to increase my metabolism - I've also noticed with the introduction of dead lifts my abbs feel stronger as its training all my core.

The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage is available for our guest staying in La Forge and La Veille Maison.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Keeping fit and using a gym while on holiday at our Brittany holiday cottages

Keeping fit and using a gym while on holiday at our Brittany holiday cottages is very important for a lot of our guest - this year we had the highest usage of the Gym than any other year.

Staying in La Forge or La Veille Maison this year we have had footballers, marathon runners, rugby plays, HIT enthusiast and those simply wishing to keep to a fitness regime while enjoying a holiday.

All have said they enjoyed using the gym and it was one of the factors why they choose to book one of our holiday cottages.

We are asked what cardio equipment we have in the gym and always report that because we live in such wonderful surroundings, those wishing for some cardio either walk, cycle or simply swim in the heated swimming pool.

The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage

Monday, October 26, 2015

Enjoying the October weather at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Enjoying the October weather at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud today - we decided to pop down to Carnac for a trip down to the coast.

The weather this late in to October has been wonderful as was the case last year and its always nice to pop down to the coast on these bright sunny days.

We had a full moon last night and it was an extremely high tide today and the sea was quite rough. 

The beach at Carnac had almost been covered in water when we arrived and with a rough sea loads of people were out enjoying the surf  using power kites.

Just a short drive from our Brittany holiday cottage

Enjoying the October weather at Carnac

The beach at Carnac almost covered by water today
Carnac is just a 40 minute drive from La Forge and La Veille Maison

Sunday, October 25, 2015

October weather at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

Today is the 25th October and we are often asked whats the weather like in October at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud - well today like most this month it's warm, dry and sunny.

I think this month we have only had a couple of days where we have had showers - I have still gone out and watered the plants in the garden this month.

October is a lovely month for holiday makers to visit Brittany while staying in our holiday cottage La Forge as they can go out and enjoy all the tourist sights without all the crowds and then return to the cottage and enjoy a log burning stove in the evening as the nights are starting to get cold.

This year we have had two sets of guest staying in La Forge during October, a couple from Scotland at the beginning of the month and the American couple who stayed last week.

We still have Christmas and New year weeks available in La Forge - why not enjoy the festive season here in France with the cottage decorated for the festive season.

The Brittany cottage near Baud decorated for Christmas

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with gym and private heated swimming pool

After a days rest at our Brittany holiday cottage with gym and private heated swimming pool it was back in the gym again to train legs.

Looking at the competition they all have great leg develepment and thankfully I have always had big legs - but size is not everything as condition and separation of the muscles is just as important!

With that in mind I'll continue to do my sets pf deep squats but also work on the leg extensions to bring out the separation of the quads and leg curls for the leg biceps.

I'm hoping that also incorporating dead lifts this year for the first time in my life will make a significant increase in overall development and I'm looking forward to seeing the results in 11 months time.

Also once I start the bike work in the spring and hill walking I'm sure that will also benefit my muscle separation in the legs.

Thankfully our holiday cottages La Forge and La Veille maison  are situated in beautiful countryside with loads of great walks available.

At 30 for the ANB welsh show

Friday, October 23, 2015

Keeping fit and having fun with the family at our Brittany holiday cottage

Keeping fit and having fun with the family at our Brittany holiday cottage is one of our goals in life and getting ready for a body building show next year and loosing 6 stone is not just for my benefit but also for me to be running around after our son.

From day one James has been in the gym sitting in his baby chair watching me and his mum train and we are always encouraging him to get involved.



We are looking forward for James to be working out in the gym with his friends in the future at our holiday cottage near Baud.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Brittany cottage near Baud with private pool and gym

Today at our Brittany cottage near Baud with a private pool and gym I was back in the gym for a chest and tricep workout.

Started of with 6 sets of incline bench press starting at 60 kg and finishing on 80 kg - then 3 sets of decline bench press at 80 kg and finishing with 2 sets of 35 kg flat bench dumbbell press.

I'm concentrating for the first 6 months on purely compound exercises and then introduce some flying to gain more separation.

It was then on to triceps where I started with 7 sets of tricep cable push downs starting with 20 kg for 30 reps and then increasing the weight up to 50 kgs with less reps.

To finish I did 2 sets of tricep rope pull downs with a kick out to the side at the bottom of the movement.

Had a lovely roast chicken and mixed veg waiting for me after the workout to feed the muscle growth.

Looking to grow my chest at the gym at our holiday cottage


The gym is available for guest staying in La Forge and La Veille Maison.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud

After a 2 day rest I was back in the gym today at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud for a back and bicep workout.

With 12 months to go before I compete again Ive decided to switch around every workout during this next year, incorporating different exercises and the order I do them in - its all about freshening up my workouts to get maximum muscle stimulation.

Today I had to be a little careful as I've had a slight back twinge over the last few days and I pulled something in my right forearm while doing heavy wide grip pull downs to the front last Friday.

So with that in mind I did 6 sets of extra wide grip pull downs to the back of my neck starting on 50kg and increasing each set until I got to 80kg.

Then for a change I moved on to dead lifts ( normally do these on a different day)

5 sets starting on 60 kg moving up to 140 kg for 6  reps and thankfully my back felt strong and no pain at all - just decided not to push myself to much!

I then just did 4 sets of dumbbell standing curls using the fat gripz for the first time with that - it felt really weird holding the dumbbells but my forearms felt as though they were going to explode.

Looking forward to hitting chest tomorrow - determined to make some big gains on that over the next year at the gym in our holiday cottage.

Brittany holiday cottage with gym and private heated swimming near Baud

We currently have an American couple staying at our Brittany holiday cottage with gym and private heated swimming near Baud, they arrived on Saturday for a 5 night stay.

They had come from Texas for him to run in the Vannes marathon on Sunday 18th October and when he popped to Vannes to get all his race numbers last Saturday he was awarded a prize for the greatest distance traveled to run the marathon.

At 66 he started running marathons at 60 and this was going to be his 19th - he run it in 4 hours 40 minutes which is a fantastic time, his best to date was 4 hours 30 minutes.

The couple are enjoying there stay in La Forge and getting to see a lot of places of interest over there remaining stay - its there first holiday in Brittany and both have said how good the location of the holiday cottage is to explore all the tourist sites of Brittany.

In the evenings they are enjoying the wood burning stove to keep them nice and warm in the cottage.

The Carnac stones are just a short drive from our holiday cottage.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym near Baud

Today at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym near Baud is rest day - after 3 straight days in the gym its good just to chill and repair the muscles from the earlier workouts.

I saw on face book today a picture of a recent natural body building show in the UK - it was a competition of champions, all holding British titles either in weight categories or age and it really highlights the mountain I need to climb over the next 12 months.

The level of competition
 Three of those in the picture have just reached 50 years of age which is fantastic conditioning and a measure of the condition I need to achieve. It does look very scary when you see pictures like this but you have to bear in mind most are around 13 stone in weight or less.

I just hope that under my current 19 stone frame that when I cut down to 13 stone I'm looking at the same size and conditioning.

Thankfully having the gym located at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud its so easy for me to have a workout. I will print this picture of and place it in the gym for my motivation.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym near Baud

Today at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym near Baud marks the end of the second week of the start of my diet.

This year I hit an all time record of 19 st 7 lbs and decided enough was enough. I'm 50 next September and to celebrate this mile stone I would love to compete again in a natural body building show.

I started the year of really well in the gym at the holiday cottages only to suffer tendinitis in my right elbow which put a hold on any progress.

With the purchase of the fat grips my training is now back on course as is my diet and today I weighed in at 18st 13lbs - so that's a 8 lb loss in 2 weeks.

I'm fully aware that in the initial weeks I will see bigger drops and then expect only a  2 lb loss per week from then on. I'm not doing any cardio yet, this will start around May to shed the final few stone. As I have to loose 6 stone its going to be a long process.

I will post a picture each month to show my progress, here is the picture from last night at 19 stone.

19 stone 17th October 2015

Today I am back in the gym for a leg work out after doing chest and triceps yesterday.

The gym is available for all our guest to use staying in La forge or La Veille maison

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym near Baud

Today at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym near Baud our first ever American guest arrived for a 5 day stay.

They flew to Paris where they hired a car yesterday and made a stop over last night to arrive at 10 am this morning.

During the low season we are able to offer flexible days and start times for guest holidays to commence in La Forge to accommodate there individual needs.

They were welcomed to La Forge with the wood burning stove already lit so the holiday cottage was warm and welcoming for there arrival.

La Forge is available to rent all year and during the low season we offer short term and long term lets.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym near Baud

Yesterday at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym near Baud, Naomi and I closed the swimming pool for the winter season.

To clarify the steps of closing the pool.

Two weeks ago the heater was switched off and we have allowed the temperature of the water to drop to under 10 degrees - the recent cold nights have helped going down to 3 degrees for a few nights this week.

Yesterday I cleaned the pool, the skimmer nets were replaced and the pump filter was also cleaned.

I then added a winter dose of Chlorine equivalent to what I use for a shock treatment then covered the pool with the winter cover.

I left the pump running for an additional 24 hours and now its been switched off.

From now until the opening of the pool in March I will just run the pump once per week for 3 hours just to turn the water over.

Naomi cleaning the pool in the summer at the Brittany holiday cottage

The pool this year has been an absolute doddle to maintain as we switched products and opted for an all in one tablet that did everything. In past years we would get algae growth appearing every couple of weeks after a  treatment but this year none!

The swimming pool is opened in March and offered on a private basis from 12th March through to the end of May for guest staying in La Forge and then throughout the summer months shared with La veille Maison also.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym near Baud

Today at our Brittany holiday cottage with private heated swimming pool and gym
near Baud is legs day! - of the 4 workouts that I do this is what most shy away from but for me has always been a firm favorite.

Who wants to look like this on the beach!
Many a time I've watch a body building show to see guys with great upper bodies but lacking any notable leg development and its not a good look.

From the age of 14 I've always hit legs hard. My typical leg workout in my twenties was:

8 - 10 sets of squats : starting of light and increasing weight with every set making my last the heaviest. Using a simple rule of thumb if I can get 6 reps I need to get heavier but if I can not get 3 reps then its too heavy - when I trained I would always try to get 10 reps but would stop at 10 saying to myself a simple mantra 'save some for the next '

I would then do 6 -8 sets of leg extensions followed by 6 sets of leg curls and 4 sets of calf raises.

If I was competing then I would ad front squats, lunges and hack squats to ad some variety including strip sets and mixing the order of my 3 primary exercises.

Within the gym at the holiday cottage we have a squat rack plus a machine that allows leg extension and leg curl. Next year I'm hoping to ad a sissy squat to the gym.

The gym is available for guest staying in La Forge and La veille Maison to have a good workout.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym near Baud

Its been a week now at our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and gym near Baud that the diet has been in force and in my first week I've lost 4lbs.

It feels a lot more as my T shirts seem to be very loose all round. I've not done any cardio but been in the gym 5 times over the week lifting weights at the gym located at our holiday cottage.

The aim is to just hit the diet and gym for the first 6 months and then start the cardio to loose the last 3 stone of 6 next year with the aim of competing in a natural body building show to celebrate my 50th next September.

I must admit my training has been very much the same for the last few years, just performing the same exercises week in week out. I've decided to mix it up now to stimulate new growth.

So today rather than just doing 6 sets of flat bench presses I opted for 5 sets of incline followed by 5 sets of decline.

The gym at the holiday cottage has a bench that allows multiply angles of training  - thus allowing you to hit the muscles at all the angles to maximize muscle stimulation. In addition I used the fat gripz to get that extra movement in the exercise and take the pressure of my shoulders and elbows.

The good old days of youth - I will be back thanks to having our own gym at the holiday cottage
 The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage is available for all to use that stay in either La Forge or La veille Maison.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with heated pool and gym near Baud

With last night at our Brittany holiday cottage with heated pool and gym near Baud being the first cold night of Autumn, it prompted me to look at the weather forecast for the next 10 days.

The sunlight hours seem bright and mild (15-18 degrees) but one evening in particular with the wind chill it could possibly drop to 2 degrees - with that in mind I have decided to take no chances with my potted sub tropical plants.

We have 4 Birds of Paradise plus a pair of Banana's which are now residing in the gym building beside a south facing window, cleaned today to maximize sun penetration with curtains removed the plants will stay here now until mid May to avoid any possible frost damage.

We have found even the slightest frost at the end of the season will hit the plants hard and in particular for the Birds of Paradise stop them from flowering in the next season.

Birds of Paradise flowering in front of La Forge

Mean while in the garden the Tropicana's are still producing flowers as are some of the other exotics creating a lovely feel for the guest staying in our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud.

With a Dutch horticulturist staying in La Forge this season, informing me that the other type of bananas planted directly in the ground will have no problems with the Brittany winter weather I can rest in peace.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym

Today at the Brittany holiday cottage with private heated pool and gym was back and biceps day.

I started of with 6 sets of extremely wide grip pull downs to the back of the neck using the 60 inch bar up to 80 kg followed by 4 sets of narrow pull downs to the front with 100 kg.

I always start of light using 50 kg and increase by 10 kg for every set.

It was then on to bar bell curls using the EZ bar with the fat grips and did 4 sets up to 40 kg - I'm taking my time on the bar bell curls and increasing the weight slowly to reach my old weights of 70 kg for reps.

The gym at the holiday cottages is available for everyone's use during your stay in either La Forge or La Veille Maison.



The results of training wide on pull downs

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym near Baud

Its been a week now at our Brittany holiday cottage with private swimming pool and gym near Baud that my diet has drastically changed.

It was my birthday on 26th September, as my parents were with us at the holiday cottage for the celebrations as well as Naomi's birthday on 30th it was decided prudent to start the diet on the 1st October.

My new diet is as follows:

Breakfast 2 weetabix plus 200 ml of half fat milk plus a 5 egg omelet (1 yoke only)

Lunch 7 egg omelet (1 yoke)

Mid afternoon snack 7 egg omelet ( 1 yoke)

Dinner steamed salmon fillet and steamed veg

The new diet


Evening snack 7 egg omelet ( 1 yoke)

In addition to the above I probably have 2 pieces of fruit as snacks.

The evening meal changes each day but the other meals remain constant. I'm not counting the calories but I guess I'm under or around 2000 which is a lot lower than my 4000 plus calories a day.

I have a year to loose 6 stone - it sounds scary but its under 2 lbs per week. The aim is to carry on like this over the next 6 months and for the final 6 months start the cardio to increase my metabolism.

I will of course continue to train as heavy as possible in the gym throughout the next year, training 5 times per week.

The gym is available for guest to train throughout the year for those enjoying a holiday in either La Forge or La veille maison.



Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and free weights gym near Baud

I mentioned last week at our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and free weights gym near Baud that I had started using the extreme fat gripz.

Wow what a difference to my chest and bicep workouts!

Using the gripz for bench press allows an extra 2 cms of movement on your range which really makes a big difference in the overall feel of the exercise and I'm now pressing my normal 100 kg for reps without any pain in my shoulders or elbows.

With barbel curls for biceps I've taken it slower to increase the weight because of the tendinitis in my right elbow at the start of the year but I've found using the grips my forearms have grown and I'm not feeling any pain in the elbow. I can now flex my biceps without pain.

The gym at our Brittany holiday cottage near Baud
The gym is available all year round for guest staying in La Forge or La veille Maison

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with heated pool near Baud

Today we can announce some great news for guest wishing to make an early booking for our Brittany holiday cottage with heated pool near Baud.

Book your holiday in either La Forge or La Veille Masion between 12th October and the 29th October for this year or next and receive a 25% discount on your Brittany ferry crossing.

In addition to the Brittany ferry discount we are also offering some discounted prices for all weeks for those booking a holiday at either cottage during this period.


Our Brittany holiday cottage with heated pool near Baud - La Forge and La Veille Maison

Friday, September 18, 2015

Our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and free weights gym near Baud

Yesterday at our Brittany holiday cottage with private pool and free weights gym near Baud I tried out the Fat Gripz Extreme on bicep curls.

Today I was back in the gym of the holiday cottage for chest and triceps. I found that I was almost on normal weights but found due to the thickness of the grips, taking the bar down to my chest gained me an additional 2 cms of movement and thus gave me such a better workout than normal.

In addition there was no pain in my elbows or shoulders which is fantastic news.

Guest staying in either La Forge or La veille Maison have free access to the gym and are more than welcome to use the Fat Gripz to get that little bit extra out of a workout.

The 'Good old days' I'll be back !