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Innocent Choga : Fitness

Imagine we were all like clones, having the same facial and physical traits. The world would be a boring place. But thank God we all have different physical traits and we all have different preferences when it comes to appearances. Some people like to look thin or lean, some consider the average built as ideal, some prefer to be muscular but yet others want to be very big. We also enjoy different physical activities that help us to attain the type of fitness and physical traits that we want.

Most of the time our discussions are centred on how to lose weight, how to get muscular, how to exercise for cardiovascular endurance. This week we talk about a different class of individuals.

These are individuals who want to exercise to gain weight, look rugged and massive, and they might also want to increase their strength and power. After all strength and power are part of the elements of fitness. They want to look strong.

We are not talking about competitive body-building here; we are talking about sheer monstrous, colossus size that is accompanied by brutal strength and power. The preference for this look is not limited to me as there are also women who like to spot massive physiques. We will be talking about the women in a future article.

The preference for this look can come about as a realisation that one has genetics that allow them to pack on massive mass. They then opt to enhance the look further and look unique rather than fight nature and wish to be what one cannot be. For others it is sheer aspiration for natural strength, a massive rugged look and the love of hard gruelling workouts.

Although these guys are massive they are able to carry their weight with ease. Feeling strong motivates them and instils a sense of power and confidence.

We cannot call these guys overweight after all they are big and active and possess some elements of fitness which are strength and power.

The regular act of pumping blood into the muscles whilst working out increases the diameter of their blood vessels thus helps with the efficient flow of blood, unless they are clogged with cholesterol or have inherited a cardiovascular condition.

A naturally big ribcage, wide shoulders, big arms, a powerful neck and a thick midsection rank among some of the physical traits they possess. Because of their large frames they have the capacity to carry large amounts of mass.

These “mass monsters” are physically active big individuals and they can be short and thick, they might be of medium height and they can also be tall.

Strength in this context basically means being physically strong and power is strength exerted with speed. Strength and power are synonymous with size.

Basic science states that these elements of fitness have a correlation to size. But there are often odd situations, where small individuals can display formidable strength and power that is not related to their size.

Natural strength is furthered and honed by regular training and power is also acquired and sharpened through practice.

Some of these gentlemen build themselves into athletes such as, wrestlers, power-lifters, weightlifters, men of strength and rugby players, but some just go for the strength and the appearance.

In weight training the terms “massive monster”, “beast” and “genetic freak” are not derogatory, but they are complimentary because they imply that one has achieved what these guys desire, that is mass and strength.

Monster in this context relates to physical prowess and size. Genetic freak implies that one has good physical genetics; a near perfect proportionate physique that allows one to gain muscle easy which is rare.

There are alleged to be three types of bodies the ectomorphs (they struggle to gain weight), the mesormoph (easy gainers), the endomorphs (overweight and soft, gain fat easily), but these guys cannot be placed in these categories.

They cannot be classified as overweight so they fall in between these classes. Their metabolism is not slow but their weight gain is self induced.

While it might seem folly for a person of small a stature to wish to be massive, there are a number of individuals who have transformed themselves into massive monsters yet they started out with small physiques. One thing that I have personally observed is that such individuals are blessed with natural strength.

We cannot falsely or wrongly attribute performance enhancing substances to their awesome strength and physical development, we do not have proof and anyway we cannot judge.

It is natural for us human beings to give credit to the evil forces when we encounter what appears to be an unreal situation but we forget that the Almighty is more powerful, as He showed when He gave Samson unreal strength.

Most individuals are quick to point to performance enhancing substances but the bottom line is these guys are naturally strong. I have known a lot of these guys who have been and are still performing feats of strength for decades, surely if they heavily relied on substances for so long, they would have been history by now. Sure, some of them might have been tempted to take them but I am certain they do not rely on them.

Excelling in seemingly unattainable feats is what motivates them. Archaeological evidence points out that men of uncommon strength existed and held exhibitions even 4 500 years ago.

They might surprise us with their raw physical strength and they might awe us with their size, but at home these guys are just teddy bears to their families.

They do not use their power to box their wives and children, neither do they wring people’s throats to rob them of their belongings .

These guys are bar benders. Call them beasts, call them monsters, refer to them as “He-men”, they will take it in stride; they are not offended but motivated by such phrases.

Just how can one attain such strength, power, and appearance without risking their health?

Guest

This week our guest is Collin Mushunje (37), affectionately known as “Codza Monya” in the weight training circles. Collin started out as a body builder won National Junior titles and was a National Middle weight champion some time back.

He started training with weights eighteen years ago. Because of the serious training, diet and conditioning required in body building, Mushunje found body-building too tiresome, stressful and time consuming and he quit in 2005.

He had an average stature and was small when he started but now he has grown into a “mass monster”.

From weighing around 80 plus kg in 2005 he now weighs 122 kg. Even as a competitive body-builder Mushunje always liked to push heavy weights.

On the issue of performance enhancing substances Mushunje said there is no motivation for him to use them, they have nasty after effects.

He believes individuals who use these never last for long in the game and they may end up getting sick because it is dangerous to use them without the assistance of relevant medical practitioner.

Although weight training is a lifestyle for him it is only part of his life. There is life after weight training, so these substances are out of the equation. Besides he still has to run his company and look after his wife Rumbidzai Munaudzi Mushnje and his five children, four boys and one girl.

A qualified mechanic, with diplomas in Stores and Procurement Management and Transport Logistics Management Collin owns a truck and trailer parts company.

Collins engaged into mass training because he enjoys looking big. He likes doing power movements in the gym and he is always thirsty to push heavy weights.

He is much stronger on leg exercises and pulling movements. His maximum weight on squats is 720 pounds, and on dead-lifts he pulls 520 pounds. During his session he combines a major body part and a minor body part.

Since his intention is to lift heavy, he is into low sets but the first set comprises of light weights and high repetitions for warm up. He also does fast partial movements to maintain the pump in his body.

Full range of motions will compromise on his ability to lift heavy as they quickly exhaust his muscles before he achieves lifting the poundages that he wants to lift. He says for mass gain it is imperative for one to do less aerobic activities.

Collin says for maximum strength one has to eat a lot. He is not usually selective and he eats anything that comes along his way, but he is wary of fat intake. He eats at least four meals per day. Sometimes because of work commitments he fails to have his meals during the day so he always carry food supplements with him.

Hyperbolic mass protein shake is his favourite supplement. For breakfast his favourite foods, oats, yoghurt and a minimum of three eggs are a must.

For strength he emphasizes on large carbohydrates intake particularly in the afternoon before his training sessions which round off his day in the evening. Complex carbohydrates are taken at least two to three hours before a session. He is into pasta and potatoes. Just before the training session he may eat a chocolate bar or honey for quick energy.

In the evening his food intake comprises mainly of protein and less of carbohydrates. Although he wants to gain mass he has to watch his fat composition. He also recommends low fat dairy products. He occasionally enjoys a few glasses of cold beer which as he finds, does not negatively affect his training sessions.

Mushunje says so far he has been blessed because he enjoys good health, he has not suffered from blood pressure or diabetes or any such illnesses.

Collin’s 16-yearoldson Tafadzwa Mushuje is into karate. He represented Zimbabwe in South Africa starting at the age of six and won two or three gold medals in consecutive years. He is trained by Sensei Samson Muripo. But he is now at boarding school so the activity is reserved for school holidays.

The Food Factor

This week we will discuss how vitamins affect our (fitness) physical activity performance. Vitamins are not made by the body like hormones, but they are organic substances that we get from the various foods we eat.

There are over twenty vitamins that are present in the various foods that we consume and they vary in amounts. Vitamins are catalysts that assist in the breakdown, processing and assimilation of food elements, proteins, carbohydrates and fat.

They assist in the biochemical reactions that result in the conversion of food components into energy and physique building material. Each vitamin has its own role in the process and this role cannot be taken over by any other substance. So the absence of a single vitamin can hinder the biochemical reactions thereby negatively affect our fitness and physical performance. So in order for us to use the food that we consume efficiently there is need to ensure that we take sufficient vitamins.

 

Email;[email protected] Innocent Choga is a six time National Bodybuilding Champion with international experience. He is studying for a science degree in Physical Education and Sport.