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Hi folks!

Sorry that this email is late coming to you but it has been a very busy time in the world of Gubernatrix. All to the good though, plenty of exciting stuff in the offing!

Women’s Strength Symposium, 8th March

I am hosting an online symposium on women’s strength training and I do hope you will drop by. The purpose of this symposium, held on International Women’s Day, is to change perceptions of women’s strength, bust myths and generally break down barriers to women getting the most from strength training.

We will share experiences, generate ideas and hopefully inspire you to take action in your own community. I hope many of you will add your voice to the debate. The symposium will take place at http://gubernatrix.co.uk/forum. Do pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

FK.UK officially launches new web portal

As most of you know, I am the online media editor of www.funckey.co.uk. The website went live in January but we have now launched the site to a wider audience with an official news release. The website is intended to be a one stop shop for UK functional fitness-related news, information, events and expertise.

We have a lively forum community attached to the site, so there’s also opportunity to meet like-minded people, chat, make local contacts and generally have a laugh. The events calendar is the most comprehensive of its kind in the UK and we’ll feature the most interesting events (read: those that we are involved in!) in our news items too. So check out www.funckey.co.uk if you haven’t already.

FK.UK Strength & Power Invitational, 5th June

If you are in the UK, get this date in your diary as this is one of the most exciting strength events in the calendar this year! It is basically a strongman-style event for normal-sized people: men and women, all weight classes.

We held the first Strength & Power Invitational last November to great success – I wrote about it here. This summer’s event is going to be bigger and better. I especially want to make a plea for more women to enter this time! I need some competition!!
Click here for more information

Squat workshop, 17th April

I will be teaching a squat workshop on 17th April in London. More details to be confirmed in the next newsletter but pencil this date in your diary if you want an intense three-hour session to improve your squat!

Olympic weightlifting workshops, London

I am putting in a plug for the Crossfit London Olympic Weightlifting Masterclass 2 on 7th March as it is being given by my weightlifting coach and Commonwealth gold medalist, Giles Greenwood. Great opportunity to be coached by a former elite weightlifter! You’ll need to have a basic snatch or clean and jerk, but if you haven’t acquired these skills yet, why not get yourself on the i-Course where you will learn the basics of these and many other functional movements?

World of Gubes

I am still training hard, amongst other things doing Jim Wendler’s popular 5/3/1 programme for my power lifts. Seems to be working, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating when I compete in the British BDFPA powerlifting champs at the end of March.

Meanwhile I have joined the legendary Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club, which has been in existence since 1926 although I am happy to say that they have updated their plumbing and indeed their equipment since then! I have weightlifting meets in February and in April, which I am really looking forward to.

From the archives
Stuff you might have missed
What is functional fitness?
Lifting and carrying: are you getting enough?

Bye for now,

Gubernatrix