All-round strength training is just what it says on the tin: training different types of strength so that you can be as good at lifting a dead weight off the ground as you are at hefting your own bodyweight above a bar.
So it’s not about doing either weights or bodyweight exercises, training either for strength or for explosiveness, either for sport or for looks. It’s about training all of these systems and functions for great all-round strength and fitness.
I am hoping that women in particular will find this site useful as there are not many strength training websites around that treat women’s strength training seriously and with a female-friendly approach. Strength training should be a part of every woman’s fitness regime – see this post for some good reasons why.
I don’t have a programme I am trying to push, just my own perspective on a type of training I love. I’m not a professional Personal Trainer so while I can make recommendations and tell you about what works for me, please don’t take it as a professional statement.
I’m here to share my enthusiasm for training, give and receive advice and provide a useful resource for anyone who is interested in strength training.
Check out my YouTube channel and subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/Gubernatrix. I’ve posted some exercise demos and favourited other great strength training clips from around the web.
If you want to contact me direct, you can use the email address: contact @ gubernatrix .co .uk.
More about me
I live on the beautiful north coast of Cornwall in the UK. I love the great outdoors - and there’s plenty of it round here! When I’m not in the gym, I enjoy surfing, rock climbing, coasteering, hiking, running, cycling, skateboarding and breakdancing.
It’s quite a lot to fit in all at once! In fact, my activities tend to be seasonal. I’m outdoors and on the sea more often during the summer. In the winter I’m drawn to the gym or I’m out pounding the local footpaths.
October 2007
Hi Sally!
I have to say I am impressed with the site! Had a chuckle at one particular post and the advice given to a ‘popular female’ on another site! You know my thoughts on these issues, hence the reason I tend not to debate them!
Anyway, congrats on the site - when mine is finally up and running (the delay is thanks to loooong working hours!) we must link to each other!
Take Care
Steve x
Thanks babe! Yes, best not to get involved!
I was thinking about your site actually and wondering how you are getting along with it. You’ve been making the occasional reference to writing articles etc so I assume it’s all going well and you are preparing to launch your guru-ness on the world soon!
Yeah the articles are on-going. I think the site word count is around 35,000 now, spread over about 32 documents. I want to go live with at least 50, otherwise some sections will look empty!
Will let you know when I need testers!
x
Hi Gubernatrix, I love your site! Would you be interested in exchanging links to each other’s site? My site is www.FireflyFitness.com/Community Let me know if it interests you!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sue
(re-posting due to bad url)
First off I’d like to say nice site. I like the videos of your training.
I do have one comment in relation to this ‘popular female’ debate; the whole issue of amateurs offering advice to other amateurs and trying to determine who’s advice is more valid. Aren’t you yourself an amateur? And by presenting your thoughts and advice etc in such a professional manner (and this website does look professional compared to lots of others) are you not in danger of leading people to believe your advice is more valid than that of some random meathead on a fitness forum?
And while it maybe very sound information on this site, that doesn’t mean you can dismiss other peoples opinions just because they are from an anonymous face on a forum… unless of course they’re clearly talking rubbish!
Sorry if I’m sounding argumentative, I do like the site.
No problems, it’s an interesting point! I’m sorry that you thought I dismissed those other opinions because, reading back over the article, I don’t think I did. What I said was that they thoroughly confused the original poster with their somewhat esoteric discussions. Their advice wasn’t technically “wrong”, just not appropriate for the question that was asked.
I included this story as a lighthearted introduction and to demonstrate the issue I wanted to address.
The guys are certainly not “random meatheads”, they are very nice people and I know them all (virtually). But I do think there was a bit of showing off going on
On the point about being an amateur, yes I am and I make sure to explain this. I’ve also got plenty to share about strength training. There are some popular and well-regarded sites out there which were started by “amateurs”. Two that spring to mind are Stumptuous and John Stone Fitness Forums. So you don’t have to be a PT or have a degree in sports science to build a site/community that people value.
I’m pleased that you took the time to look around and post!
Hi, my name is Mario. I am from Chile. I love sport and fitness. You are beauty :). Do you have msn??
Bye
Hi Mario, thanks for dropping by. Unfortunately I don’t use MSN.
Hi Guber,
Great website - well done. Hope you are keeping well.
I’m great, thanks. Keep up the squatting!
Hello - so glad I found your website
I live in north cornwall also. I have been weight training for nearly a year but hardly any free weights. I would love to find out more about weight traing for women & get some advice etc.
Bye for now
Hi Ange! Drop me an email if you like. My address is in the page above.
Thanks - I would love to have a chat with you but can’t find your email address, I’m not sure about the page above thing?? probally due to me being really hopeless with computers. maybe you could drop me a quick email then I can reply.
Cheers
Hey G-
Hope this note finds you in high spirits and good health-Happy New Year to you! I like your site and have passed the link on to several friends of mine…my favourite is your “Drop Out Diaries”..
Keep up the good work lady
B
Many thanks Broadus, happy new year to you too!
Outstanding site! What a wealth of material! Got your site from Rossboxing (I post as AgelessWarrior).
Keep up the great work Gubernatrix… Here’s to a new year of fitness and life goals achieved!
Andy
Thanks so much Andy! I’ll look out for you on rosstraining. What other training are you into apart from the Ross stuff?
Besides my devotion to Ross’s Infinite Intensity I am a loyal practitioner of both Crossfit and kettlebells (ala Pavel and Mike Mauler). Just started Josh Henkins sandbag workouts! Mostly I’ve done Crossfit solo but an affiliate is finally opening here in Tucson, AZ! First workout was “Fight Gone Bad”–awesome!
Ok, all the good stuff then!
@ Ange - my email got bounced back from your email address. Could there be a typo?
Hey mate.
Popped in for a look, lots of good stuff going on
far too technical for an old fart like me stay busy
In training
Vanders’
Hey V!
Thanks for keeping up to date. Too technical? Pah! You like to make out you’re some kind of neanderthal but I know the truth. Glad to see you are still kicking ass, destroying innocent equipment and scaring people
I know this site from youtube.com.
GREAT VIDEO!
Just came across your site, Sally. I think your approach is great. Been trying to get my wife into free weights for a while now. Even wrote an article on my blog about her reticence. I’ll send her a link to your stuff. Maybe it will help.
Anyway, I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
@ Eagle566: Thank you, glad you like it!
@ Philip: good post, you hit many nails on the head!
Hi there. Been reading your stuff for a few weeks now and wanted to express appreciation.Your website layout is cleanly crafted; your material informed and engaging; your enthusiasm is inspirational. I started weights age 12, swam, played rugby and did Olympic lifting in my 20s, met Mel Siff in the gym at Wits Univ when I taught there before moving to London School of Theology. Count myself blessed to be injury free at 64 and able to try out kettlebells, tabata and homebased crossfit style training recently. Most of my garage weights, bought second hand in Cape Town, went to Joburg, came to London and will return to Cape Town with me this year. My daughter (33) and husband will prob grace my garage there. Weights have kept me sane. Part of a very unmystical spirituality. You’ve got years ahead of you! Blessings. Tjeers, Deryck
Wow Deryck, thanks so much for your kind words! I do find myself getting more enthusiastic the more I train and discover new things. I’m also in awe of people like you who have a lifetime of training behind them and are still getting into new stuff. I didn’t start weight training until well into my twenties, so I’ll need all those years ahead of me to catch up
Cheers for reading!
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Have a great day!
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Thanks
Gary
Nice site! I actually found your site through your youtube videos. I especially like the video dealing with bodyweight exercising. That is something I do a lot and will be sharing with my blog readers soon.
Looking forward to reading more of your future posts!
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!