“Azad, do you mind altering the Tuesday workout. I didn’t feel ANYTHING the next day, I want to feel like I’ve worked”. I’ve had this request on multiple occasions. It’s not something I’ve made up for this post. People want to feel sore from their workouts and to wear that as a badge of honor […]
There is a lot of emphasis placed upon getting to the gym and working out. If you’re lucky you can spend an hour a day there, but what about the remaining 23 hours a day? Today I want to talk about your activity outside of the gym. If you prefer video to written content you […]
If you can find a way to decrease caloric intake without feeling like crap, your chances of success are greater because it’ll be easier to stick with it over the long run. – Christian Thibaudeau Let’s suppose someone eats 3 Rotiya every night as part of their family meal and they have a few pounds […]
There’s no such thing as light weight – you should always lift heavy and challenge yourself for the given rep range. I’ll explain in more detail below. Some definitions to begin with Reps (repetitions) – One complete motion of an exercise Sets – A group of consecutive reps Top Set – The last and heaviest […]
Adherence is a term you’ve probably never heard of before. But if I said to you your success dieting was all down to adherence, does that make it sound more important? Adherence is essentially your ability to stick to something. So dietary adherence is your ability to stick to your diet and it’s highly important. […]
Some Context I’m sharing these because it’s important for you to understand what’s in your hands and what isn’t. You hitting 10,000 steps today or 120g protein is totally in your hands. Losing 5kg fat in a month isn’t necessarily. It’s really important you are able to check your efforts against a list so you […]
What you’ll need: A mindset for self improvement Some resistance bands (super cheap and lightweight way to workout anywhere) A TRX suspension trainer (you can use a rolled towel hooked around a door too) Pullup bar (ideal for back training and a great place to hook up your TRX) A slider (you can use a […]
I’ve been thinking about my protein intake a lot recently. It probably falls within the 1.6g – 2.2g per KG bodyweight range daily but isn’t where it should be at the upper end of that range. That’s how you should be looking at these ranges if you don’t eat animal products, you should be aiming […]
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of bodyweight exercises. It feels like the second we get a gym membership we forget about the humble pushup. I started off my whole fitness journey with home workout and doing pushups until I crashed nose first into the floor with failure. As soon as I joined a gym […]
1) I need to lift in the 8 – 12 rep range for muscle building This is something I actually picked up from my personal trainer course when I got certified and it is something that has only recently been reviewed in some solid research. The research actually shows this range is much larger than […]
I recently had a conversation with someone about his fitness progress and also asked about his partner and how she was getting on too. She was someone I was working with previously on beginner strength and trying to get used to using weights to help her body composition. She was trying to increase muscle tone […]
Recently I’ve been going through somewhat of a training slump and to be honest I don’t know what to do about it. I am coming up to 10 years of lifting this December and have lots of content planned for you all via this blog and on YouTube – just a side note. But as […]
The following are common conversations I have had with people about reaching their fitness goals. The guy who can’t gain any weight. (assuming they’re already weight training and trying to gain muscle) Guy: I just can’t gain any weight. Azad: No problem, I’m sure I can help, how does your current […]
A significant portion of the time I spend on fitness consultations with people around the world is spent debunking current notions and fitness myths. The beauty of doing so today is that everything can be looked into with a quick google search and there’s plenty of research available on exercise, fitness and nutrition. This is […]
For years I’ve been encouraging people that the number on the scale isn’t everything. This is usually something I say once clients ring me concerned about not moving on scale weight on this weeks weigh in. I encourage them, explain the possibilities and the fact there’s much more to look at. Hopefully they leave the […]
You may have read my previous article about roti. If not you can read it here. Unfortunately there’s still a huge stigma around eating roti whilst being on a fitness journey. ‘you can’t eat roti because it’s all carbs’ ‘I had double butter chicken (or daal makhani) instead and left the rotiya because, you know… […]
When I first got into the gym I couldn’t see past gaining size. The first goal I set was to be 100kg by the time I was 21. Funny because I only weighed around 62kg when I first started in the gym aged 17. I just wanted to be big, no idea why looking back. […]
I love podcasts! I listen to them daily in the car or during work hours. It was amazing to be featured on one with Sat Mann who hosts the British Asian Podcast (http://www.britishasianpodcast.com) We discuss everything from how I got started with fitness, social media, veganism and my experience training people. You can hear it […]
Protein is probably the most popular word in the whole fitness community, it’s mentioned in my DMs at least half a dozen times daily. So what is protein? Let’s start there. ‘any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds which have large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and […]
I love getting my workouts done in the morning despite it not being optimal based on the science for performance and strength. It’s one of the choices I’ve made which aren’t consistent with the research. But I love morning workouts! For me it began when I was in sixth form (college level study) […]
You’re not looking for weight loss. What you want is sustainable fat loss. Note the difference there, weight implies fat and fat-free mass (muscles, water, bones). Whereas fat is just fat. It’s a subtle difference and I honestly think it’s just most people using the wrong term but it is a huge difference. An example […]
If you are doing chest on a Monday and following up the rest of the week with a body part split, you are not training in a way that is supported by the latest science as being optimal for muscle and strength building. You’re not training optimally. If you want more out of the time […]
Ever since being a qualified personal trainer I’ve worked with numerous people, both one to one and online, who have had confidence issues in their personal life as well as in the gym. My client Jatin was no different. We actually met through one of his friends and roommates who was already my client […]
You’ve probably heard it before, remove roti from your diet if fat loss is your goal. I’m here to tell you roti is nothing to be afraid whilst on a fitness journey and eating it will not automatically slow your results. Let’s break down the nutrition… A single roti has around 120 calories, 15g carbs, […]
How to get bigger arms is probably the most frequently asked question I’ve received. I know, you’re looking for the best protocol to give you them guns quickly. Before I give you the goods I just want to make a quick point. I’ve been totally wrong about direct abs and arms training. I’m a nerd […]
Summer is here and most of your reading this are probably in pursuit of getting leaner for a holiday or event. Not ideal, it’s kinda late. Getting lean (reducing your body fat percentage) should be an endeavour you’re always working on regardless of season, however here’s 5 tips to help you get leaner this summer. […]
I love to share new things I’ve discovered with you all and this time it’s an intense ab exercise. You may have read my article on the GO HARD method to ABS which I recommend you try out for 8 weeks, if you haven’t seen it, read it here. The exercise I’m going to propose […]
I began working out in a gym in December of 2008. I’ve tried many things, made mistakes, learnt a lot, got qualifications and even found a passion and living from the gym. Recently I’ve been reflecting on 8 years in the gym and everything I’ve experienced, hopefully you’ll pick up a thing or two. Ever […]
Now most of you reading this probably aren’t working your core region nearly enough. No, I’m not talking about a few crunches or poorly done sit-ups at the end of your session. I’m talking deep core muscles which will help your performance and probably keep you from experiencing back pain. These muscles are hit somewhat […]
So, I was interviewed and featured in an Indian magazine catering for vegetarians and vegans. You can subscribe and read more over at – www.vegplanet.in. Here is the VegPlanet interview. Name: Azadbir Singh AthwalAge: 25Sex: MaleProfession: Personal Trainer 1. Why did you, as a bodybuilder, quit meat & dairy products and become a vegan? I […]
The beauty of social media is that we can all share ideas, insights, things or people who inspire us and the occasional selfies. Many of you in the past have enjoyed things I only sometimes share like meals and book recommendations. So I’ve compiled this post as a wholesome list of books and people who […]
So having been in the gym for 8 years now I’m finding that the more experienced I get, the less substance my routines contain. For that and many other reasons I’ve tried to help you with the only 5 exercises you need to get aesthetic and athletic. If you haven’t yet viewed the video check […]
All hail the ? Put down your EZ bar and learn to deadlift correctly. Lifting stuff off the floor is about as real world and applicable as it gets – a basic human movement. Deadlifts are the king and here’s why you should be doing them. Deadlifts. Nothing tests your strength like Deadlifts. Challenging every […]
Over the years I’ve tried many exercises, I’ve always had a curious mind and loved to change things up. My early Youtube videos will show you that (you can one below). The closer I get to that 10 year mark of lifting I’m stripping out a lot of excess movements and focusing on the bare […]
So I found this log of my competition back in 2014 and I thought I’d share 🙂 For those of you that don’t know I am a keen strength enthusiast. I put performance before aesthetics when it comes to gym and my training. A connoisseur of functional training if you will. This usually comes to […]
When I began working out back in 2007 I can’t really say I had many people to look upto (I just wanted to be like my chacha). There certainly wasn’t a YouTube and Instagram platform as big as it is today with #fitfam and pages like @sikhmuscle doing a great job to inspire daily. Here’s […]
As a personal trainer I’ve designed many routines and plans. In excess of hundreds! I don’t know how other strength coaches or trainers feel but I find it quite hard to program for myself. This brings me onto this squat everyday routine that I created (and did for quite a while before giving it up). […]
You may have heard the quote ‘if you snooze, you lose’. I’d argue the contrary, ‘if you don’t snooze you lose’. I can’t stress enough the importance of sleep for you to reach your fitness goals. Not only to reach fitness goals but general health.Believe me, good sleep beats all supplements! For the last month […]
Before I go onto writing a list of vegan protein sources, I think it’s important to address a few protein related questions and concerns which people usually have. Firstly you may have seen the image that broccoli contains more protein per calorie than steak. That is technically correct but it’s mainly a trivial fact. […]
So my bones are intact, my muscles haven’t shrivelled, I don’t have a B12 deficiency, and I’m not anaemic. I’m one year into veganism and here’s my summary of the year. NOTE: This isn’t an activism post. If you made it this far it means you weren’t deterred by the image and title of the […]
So last week I had an incredible photoshoot and opportunity to train at Paragon Gym in Wolverhampton. The theme of the shoot was to capture ‘real’ action shots. That means all the emotion in the pictures is real, no pretty boy posing as I call it when models are lifting some stupidly light weights. I […]
Barbells and dumbbells as well as machines in the gym are fantastic but in this article I will try to show you my favourite fitness equipment, most of which are also home friendly! Handgrips In terms of what can improve your strength from home the easiest, I’d suggest grip work. A study once found a […]
The Internet can be a scary place and so can the gym. There’s so much information out there to leave you bewildered. I’ve tried to compile a set of muscle-building tips which will help anyone regardless of the number of years you’ve been lifting. Read on for serious gains. 1) Focus on the muscles of the […]
I’m a Vegan hardgainer. I don’t really subscribe to the idea of ecto, endo and mesomorph because of its simplistic nature but for the sake of this post I guess I have the characteristics of an ectomorph. I think better scientific terms are low responders and high responders. In which case I’d be a […]
There are things we can all look back and say we did wrong. Call it the power of hindsight. The beauty of consulting a strength coach or personal trainer is not only are they qualified, but they’ve hopefully been through more training experience and have had more sets and reps of hindsight. I know I […]
Take it from me, this is one superset that you should be doing! I’m a huge fan of supersets. I read Arnold’s book and his old workout routine. Now even though he was enhanced by performance enhancing drugs there was still a lot I could take away from the routine and apply to myself […]
What do you think of?If I say weightlifting, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably a few brawny wrestlers from the WWE or Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although they lifted weights and you could argueArnold begun a huge successful career from the use of the dumbbell, weightlifting is far more. Let’s rewind for a second…Before […]
I’m now a MyProtein ambassador! Those of you who know me will know I’m not huge on supplements. I use them, sure. But I’m not excited by the latest pre workout and vitamin l24 which will give me this and that. I stick to the basics and have done for years. I […]
Muscle trouble? Training becoming robotic? There are many benefits associated with achieving slabs of new muscle tissue, making it a desirable choice for many. However it is a long and hard process. Are you having trouble putting on size? Below are 9 reasons why you aren’t gaining muscle. 1. You aren’t lifting heavy weights Needless to […]
Despite not being able to last longer than our fatter counterparts through an ice age, in most other scenarios muscles are the answer! Here’s 7 reasons to acquire more muscle. 1. It looks fantastic… Toned – muscle! ‘Toned’, is a word thrown around by many in the health and fitness world, what it actually refers […]
The gym too much trouble to get to? Now you’ll have to come up with another excuse! Fortunately for you your workouts can be done from the comfort of your own living room. Here’s 15 fun ways to workout at home. 1. Stair Shuttles Providing you don’t live in a bungalow, this is accessible to […]
Exercise physically improves our bodies. Might sound like common sense right? But not really. Here’s 11 physical benefits of exercise! 1. Your posture improves Nothing says ‘time and effort in the gym’, like a great upright posture. This carries over from simple activities such as walking to certain exercises where posture is essential such as […]
Throughout our fitness lifestyles, we sure do adapt for the better, but we also figure out our bodies. This is a part of the process and finding out allergies and imbalances is as natural as seeing progression. I had shoulder impingement issues and here is why I made the cable machines my best friend. Through […]
Sikhs and vegetarianism The general consensus is that practicing Sikhs shouldn’t be consuming meat, eggs or fish as it is against the Sikh code of conduct and beliefs. One of the beauties of Sikhi is the amazing concept of langar. People of all cultures, castes, faiths sit on the floor and consume a vegetarian meal as one. […]
So recently I turned Vegan. It came as a gradual process, I turned Vegetarian 4 years ago for similar reasons. Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Here’s […]
There were some terrible winds in Telford two/three weeks ago causing tiles to be completely blown off some of my dad’s tenants’ houses! With all roofers busy, me and my dad had to do the job ourselves because of potential water damage, so I’ve been busy with an emergency roof job. Apologies to all clients […]
Is it ok to eat Punjabi Food (or Indian food) on a fitness journey? Many Punjabis, Indians and others from the Indian sub continent turn away from our own cultural food when on a health and fitness journey. Don’t! There is nothing wrong with vegetables, lentils and the rare palette of ginger, turmeric, garlic and […]
It’s amazing to read a quote and be thought provoked or feel a connection. Here’s a list of my favourite quotes (fitness and general). Fitness 1) They say it’s 70% diet and 30% exercise. Incorrect. It’s 100% effort to your diet, exercise and everything else. 2) The harder I work, the luckier I get! 3) […]
WHAT AN AMAZING JOURNEY IT’S BEEN SO FAR.. I launched Azad Singh Fitness in April of 2015, so this post is a little late! I saw an ongoing trend of online coaching/personal training available by people mainly off of social media pages and a huge market out there. I set out with the aspiration […]
The interview is for sociological research which attempts to look at Sikh identity and Masculinity through a study of Sikh Bodybuilding and Gym Culture among Sikh men. Thanks to Amanjit Kaur Ahuja for approaching me and allowing me to use the content of the interview. What motivated you to start going to […]
New years day 2015 I woke up with an urge to go for my goals. I knew I wanted to get further into personal training, the idea of it however was always put off. January 1st I woke up and sat for 2 hours on my bed jotting down what I needed to do and […]
What I’ve come to realise in my short life span is that we are what we repeatedly do, our habits shape us. Progression and reaching our goals is about our habits. You can’t expect to be sub 8% body fat if you have a habit of eating a Snickers bar daily – generally speaking anyway. […]
1) I had my first weightlifting injury at the age of 7 whilst showboating with a dumbbell at home. I lifted it above my head, fell back and my finger was crushed and cut open. The scar left will be with me for life. 2) I turned vegetarian in the early months of 2013 when […]
Our minds have become fine tuned towards instant results and instant outcomes, unfortunately the same can’t apply for instant health and fitness. Living in a modern, digital and generally fast-paced time we have become accustomed to getting things we expect quite instantaneously. Especially if we look at things in context at a wider time scale. […]
When was the last time you decided to improve yourself?To take up a challenge – either physical or mental?I often quote to people my favourite saying:‘You either go through life or grow through life’. I chose to take charge of my life.I’m Azad Singh and 6 years ago I made a conscious decision to change […]