I’ve been meaning to blog about this but I just never found the time to do so. Well, here it is. Better late than never.

On October 30, 2008 I tried out Axis Lab’s Smash Pre-Workout Drink. It’s basically a pre-workout drink (d-uh!) which supposedly gives you more energy and endurance.

I got a sample pack when I bought my protein from…fark. What’s that shop in Aman Suria called again? I’ll update this once I recall the name of that place.

Anyway, being the kiasu person that I am, besides working out at Pushmore (PM) I also wanted to join my climbing friends at Camp 5 after doing the WODs at PM. So, I ventured where I’ve never gone before and took the sample pack to see whether or not it’ll keep me going.

The packaging itself was enticing as it had all the keywords that fitness junkies (yours truly!) found enthralling – pump! strength! endurance! energy!

Wahhhhhhhhh!! Just by reading the packaging made me feel like working out already. Yes, I’m a sucker for marketing gimmicks.

The content itself was white powdery substance and after mixing it with water, it turned blue. I remember thinking to myself that I might turn into a Smurf after drinking it.

The taste? Sucks big time. Tasted of flavoured cough syrup. Yuck!

According to the directions, one is supposed to consume the supplement “30 minutes before workout on a light to empty stomach”. I actually had a snack before consuming the drink so for the first 45 minutes I didn’t feel nuts.

But what came after was a totally different story altogether. I was on fire! I felt like I could tackle Ronnie Coleman and knock him out cold. Okay okay. I might be exaggerating a bit there.

The workout on that day was; in 15 minutes, do as many rounds of the following: 10 SDHP (20kg), 10 Push Ups, 10 Double Unders (in my case, tuck jumps). Managed to do 8 rounds + 10 + 10.

Immediately after that WOD was done I did 100 sit ups, 75 leg raises, 50 windshield wipers and 25 weighted sit ups in 9:12. This was very surprising as previously, it took me slightly below 15 mins to complete it.

Was it the drink or was I just extra gung-ho that day? I have no idea.

By then I could feel the buzz. While I still had it, I quickly drove over to Camp 5 and on the way, for a total of 5 minutes (yes, I timed everything), I felt a buzz which was similar to the buzz felt when one is on speed.

Upon reaching Camp 5, I didn’t bother warming up and immediately lead climbed a 6A route (white) and cleaned it in one shot. Now THAT, was definitely thanks to the drink.

I climbed a few more routes after that and by the end of the night, I was feeling the effects of my gung-ho’ness :p I forgot to check exactly what time the effect started wearing off but my guesstimate is within 3.5 – 4 hours after consuming the drink. Might be less though.

My verdict?

It’s something I would take only if I know for sure that I have a loooooong day of working out ahead of me. Think it’s absolutely unnatural for ones’ body to go on and on and on like that.

The ingredients combination and effects of it could be abit too much for some so don’t say I didn’t warn you ;)

Oh, I also took a similar pre-workout drink (of a different brand) during the Genting Trailblazer event. And that was absolutely crazy! I talked my head off while jogging/hiking/walking throughout the race and still had energy to go climbing after that.

Hmm…will update this post once I recall which brand the second one was.

Jan 1
Jogging at Kiara Park in the evening, approximately 4 km (2 lower loops, 1 upper loop).
I might’ve pushed myself a bit too hard as I hadn’t gone jogging for quite sometime already. My shins were feeling funny when I was jogging and my calves weren’t feeling too happy either -_________-” I think I must jog a bit more regularly to get used to the pounding.

Jan 2
For time of:
60 Push Ups
50 Sumo Deadlift Highpull @ 32kg
40 Ring Dips
30 Weighted Pull Ups @ 20kg
20 Handstand Push Ups
Result: 22:59 (SDHP@20kg, 8kg)
Still can’t do full range of handstand push ups. Did sissy ones instead. Humbug -__-

‘Ma H*i’ Abs
200 anchored sit ups
150 bicycle crunches
75 leg raises
50 Russian twists
Result: 16:20 (12kg)

Death by Burpees
Result: 120

Jan 5

30 Muscle Ups for time
Result: 12:42 (assisted MUs, green band)
Need to start doing this with less resistance next time, blue band!

‘MH’ Abs
Result: 17:30 (12kg)

Death By Burpees
Result: 110

Jan 6
In 15 minutes, do as many rounds as possible of :
10 KB Swings @ 32kg
10 Double Unders/ Tuck Jumps
Result: 7 rnds (20kg, TJ)
I hate tuck jumps!! I don’t know whether its my hand foot coordination skills or what, but I still can’t master double unders. Will keep on trying cos I don’t wanna do the bloody tuck jumps anymore!

“Tabata Something Else”
Complete 32 intervals of 20 seconds of work followed by ten seconds of rest where the first 8 intervals are pull-ups, the second 8 are push-ups, the third 8 intervals are sit-ups, and finally, the last 8 intervals are squats. There is no rest between exercises. Record reps from all 32 intervals.
Results: (52, 100, 109, 143) = 404

Jan 7
“J.T” 21-15-9 of:
Handstand Push Ups
Ring Dips
Push Ups
Result: 20:06 then 6-3-1 25:44
Sissy handstand push ups again! Need to gain more strength to do full on version.

MH Abs
Result: 19:57
Hmm…my time varies based on how hard I worked out prior.

Jan 11
Jogged approximately 5km at Kiara Park, 2 upper loops and 1 lower loop around 8 a.m
Went climbing at Camp5 and lead 5 routes throughout the afternoon.

Was absolutely knackered by end of the day. But realised that thanks to the Krabi trip, I’ve got a bit of balls now when it comes to lead climbing. Woot! Hope the balls stay with me throughout the year :p

Jan 12
21-15-9 reps for time of:
KB Swings @ 32kg
KB/DB Push Press @ 16kg/35lbs
Pull Ups
Burpees
Result: 25:59 (swing@20kg, pp@12kg)
Prior to doing Murph, I did the above WOD and my legs were already feeling abit jelly-ish :p Reckon that the timing for Murph can be improved if I don’t do any WOD prior to it next time.

“Murph” for time of:
1.6km Run
100 Pull Ups
200 Push Ups
300 Squats
1.6km Run
Result: 52:38
A workout for sado masochist. Torturous but disturbingly fun.

MH Abs
Result: 18:40 (12kg)

Jan 13
Weighted Pull Ups
3-3-3-3-3
Results: 12kg, 14.5kg, 16kg, 17kg, 18kg

3 Rounds for time of:
400m Run
50 Sit Ups (Anchored)
400 Rope Skips
Result: 35:11
The rope skips slowed me down. KNN -____-

Jan 14
For time:
15 KB Double Clean @ 24kg
30 Ring dips
12 KB Double Clean @ 24kg
24 Ring dips
9 KB Double Clean @ 24kg
18 Ring dips
6 KB Double Clean @ 24kg
12 Ring dips
3 KB Double Clean @ 24kg
6 Ring dips
Results: 16:13

Harold & Kumar. 3 rounds of;
20 ring rows(feet on 12″ box)
25 knees-to-elbows
20 push ups (feet on 12″ box)
Results: 17:04
There’s so much hanging on this workout that my forearms were pumped up by the second round. Looks easy but it sure ain’t. Enjoyed the box push ups cos I could feel it hitting my frontal delts :D Wheee!

Pictures in this post are courtesy of www.pushmore.com.my

…..I decided to have a mini blogsite to keep track of my fitness regime. I’ve got a few fitness goals for 2009 and hopefully by keeping track of what I do, I’ll be able to train towards achieving these goals :)

Some of these goals include;
- quitting smoking (I’m on day 12 now. Wish me luck!)
- completing a 10km run in 55 minutes by April ’09
- getting ACE Personal Trainer certification by July ’09
- participating in the half marathon category of Borneo International Marathon in Oct ’09 and finishing it within 2 hours
- lead climbing a 6B route outdoor by middle of 2009

I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve been asked by friends and even strangers why I would wanna train till my arms are bulky or why I work out as much as I do. Frankly speaking, half the time I feel like replying them “Cause I like muscles maaaa!”. A friend told me I should say, “Cos I don’t wanna be fat like you!” :p LOL!

Well, you can read a blog post I wrote in my previous blog here for a general idea on what my standard reply would be ;)

My workout locations include;
- Kiara Park in TTDI
- Pushmore Fitness Centre, Merchant Square
- Camp 5 Indoor Rock Climbing Gym, 1 Utama

I try to workout every single day. So when I say all I do is work or workout, its partially true :p Yes, I do try to workout even when I have shoots or when I’m bogged down with a lot of editing work. Working out is such a big part of my life that I feel funny when I don’t workout for a couple of days.

Besides sharing my love of photography on my blogsite, I hope to inspire people to pick up fitness as part of achieving a healthier lifestyle as well :) Woot!