Sports
Revelations Of A Fitness Fanatic By Jonny Parr Photography by Jessie Palanca
Jonny Parr is a man on a mission. Owner and founder of Absolute Fitness, he wants to get you active and reveling in the delights of a healthy and fit lifestyle. In the first installment of his new monthly column, he speaks briefly about his personal fitness adventure to date, the power of self-improvement, and five reasons why you have to jump on the fitness bandwagon. Everyone Has A Story To Tell - Here’s Mine Like most people, I always remember important moments in my life. This was no different. I had just competed in my first power-lifting competition in 2009 and won the dead-lift event in my weight category. During this time, a lot of thoughts and feelings rushed through my head as the adrenaline continued to pump through my body. I felt numerous emotions – happiness, relief, disbelief, euphoria and confidence. Yet throughout this instant, I immediately had a flashback to something my Mum told me as a nipper - all great adventures start with one simple vision. She was right. I had a vision to compete in power-lifting and I achieved it. The result wasn’t priority for me, but the process I had to go through in order to compete – training, nutrition,
discipline, dedication and planning, paved the way for an adventure in self-development. You see, being fit, or to be more precise, getting fit, is a process that can improve and make you better in all areas of your life. This ‘vision’ of competing in power-lifting, allowed me to learn healthy habits, which in turn, have helped me with other avenues of life, such as relationships, career and health.
Flying High
Jonny Parr shows us some training postu res at Education City’s Georgetown gym
I’m flying the flag for fitness, as I strongly believe there’s a direct correlation with this tool and self-improvement. For the most part, modern-day males and females want to look good, feel great and be able to perform any task at a second’s notice. Taking control of your health and fitness can help do this, plus more.
somewhat predictable life. I got my necessary qualifications at school, before graduating from university with a Sports honours degree, and a PE Teaching post-graduate degree.
My fitness love affair started in my homeland of Scotland, UK, where I started to lead a
During this time, I coached, read, listened, interned and studied extensively both fitness
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and sport. Importantly, I still continue to do this. (You’re probably thinking I have OCD, which may be partly true!) However, I like to think of my actions as simply committed. I have trained countless clients in both the UK and Qatar, which has since led me to form my own company, Absolute Fitness. (www.absolutefitnessqatar.com) My personal vision now supports Qatar’s 2030 National Vision in providing, supporting, and empowering the people of Qatar - people like you -to become healthier and fitter. I intend to strip back the unnecessary clutter that confines the fitness industry and provide you with the best, most realistic, most innovative, fitness tips and advice I possibly can. What’s more, I want you to come along for the ride. I want to empower you so you can take action and dramatically improve your health, fitness and life. Whether you want the energy of a road-runner or the body of Superman, let’s make it happen!
Top Tips Here are four simple reasons you have to fall in love with fitness: 1. Exercise makes you feel happy There’s no denying the link between exercise and feeling joyful. Study after study supports this statement, explaining that exercise helps release endorphins or feel-good hormones. Train often, smile often! 2. Exercise improves your relationships Taking care of yourself is the first step to taking care of others. Mum, Dad, grandparents, siblings and friends all rely on your love, energy and empathy. There simply is no better reason to exercise than that of helping those closest to you. 3. Exercise makes you productive at work Regularly exercising builds healthy habits that can significantly improve your work performance such as motivation, enthusiasm, discipline and confidence. Your boss will love you for it and who knows, maybe you’ll get that promotion. 4. Exercise makes you healthier Regular exercise has a positive effect on your health such as controlling your weight (i.e. fat loss), and protecting you from health conditions and diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and arthritis. n Jonny Parr is the founder of Absolute Fitness in Qatar (www.absolutefitnessqatar.com). If you’re interested in individual or group personal training, please call 3385-2696 or email info@absolutefitness.me.
Getting fit is as much a state of mind as it is a physical commitment
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