A challenge of epic proportions has the entire Richmond News office transfixed (sort of). It’s a fight for glory, for fame, for bragging rights and for drinks and dinner bought by the loser. It’s Team Mongoose vs. Team Après Ski.
Director of advertising Rob Akimow (Team Mongoose) and integrated media consultant Collin Neal (Team Après Ski) are battling it out at the new City Centre Community Centre gym for 10 weeks to see who comes out the fittest.
The winner will be showered with praise from his awestruck colleagues (but probably not), the loser subject to eternal shame, ridicule and public scorn (but maybe just for an hour or so).
Now in the second week of the challenge, things are already getting ugly.
“First of all, Collin — um — doesn’t have the will power to last,” says Akimow. “He’s also out of the gate way too fast, he’s going to burn out. There’s no question in my mind. With those two things alone, I’m going to win in a big way. Guaranteed.”
True, Neal does get his cardio fix seven days a week. And there was that unfortunate treadmill incident at the gym where fatigue caused him to slow down in the eighth minute. The slight change of pace had him flying off the machine and splayed out on his back in front of the lunchtime crowd.
A week in, and he’s already shown blood, sweat, and (probably some, though he wouldn’t admit) tears.
But the real battleground is in the office. It’s a minefield of treats. The past week already had the opponents dodging a carrot cake, a box of Nanaimo bars and pizza. Although it should be noted the pizza was ordered by Akimow and placed directly on Neal’s desk, who managed to resist — to the benefit of the other employees (that pizza was gone within a half hour).
“My problem is I have a horrible diet,” says Neal, who stays active playing hockey and skiing, but lists chips and chocolate bars as only a few of his temptations. “But I’m dedicated to eating well because of the contest. I’m planning ahead now, counting calories within reason, reading labels, and trying not to eat any sugar, carbs or drink beer.”
Unfortunately for Neal, Akimow’s dirty pizza trick wasn’t the last. He’s even promising a secret weapon — not revealed at time of print — which he’s planning on bringing out around week six or seven.
“There might be a few cold beers on Collin’s desk or anything it takes,” Akimow says. “I’m not adverse to dirty tricks. He will crumble.”
Neal also plans to play some head games, though he favours subtlety over trickery.
“My goal is to take it as seriously as possible, so that when those first numbers come in, Rob will be so demoralized,” he says. “He’s going to be totally demoralized after weigh-in, that he’s just going to give up.”
“And I can’t wait for him to buy me dinner.”
Mongoose ready to strike
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be less,” he says.
Luckily, he’s been set up with a personal trainer from the new City Centre Community Centre gym.
“I don’t want to bombard him with something that’s not sustainable for him,” says Akimow’s coach A.J. Aguasin. “He’s been doing really well, he’s been listening to everything I say.”
Aguasin has Akimow doing full, total body movements to give him an overall lean frame. During the week, he’s working out three days with a focus on weight training. And for one day over the weekend, Akimow is to do cardio, either on the treadmill or running outside.
The sessions are about one hour long, including a warm-up and cool down.
“A.J. has a good plan,” says Akimow. “He’s been phenomenal, checking in all the time. It’s really encouraging, really positive. He’s very dedicated.
“I’m assuming he doesn’t want to lose the challenge either,” Akimow quips. “He’s very competitive, as well. I would imagine he wants to beat Gabrielle, be the king of the trainers at the gym.”
Besides a straight workout routine, Aguasin also has Akimow setting personal goals every week. Last week’s was to drink eight glasses of water a day. This week is to get six to eight hours of sleep every night.
“It’s so he gets a better quality of life, as well,” says Aguasin. “These things definitely affect overall fitness, you see the best results this way.”
Aguasin plans to make weekly adjustments to the program, ramping it up as they get closer to the challenge finale. His tip for Akimow is to stay consistent and visualize the end goal.
“Oh, and to do what I say!”
Apres Ski shows athleticism
She’ll be coaching Richmond News integrated media consultant Collin Neal, 36, through his 10-week fitness challenge against director of advertising Rob Akimow.
“Collin’s chances are really good right now,” says the coach and personal trainer. “He’s way more athletic than he led me to believe. On the first day, he whipped out this perfect beautiful lunge. It’s really been headache-free with him.”
Payne, who trains at the new City Centre Community Centre gym, has designed a workout for Neal around interval training for the first five weeks, which she believes is the most effective way to lose weight.
Neal gets in some sort of cardio every day, although she’s careful he’s not overdoing it.
Four times a week, he does weight training, targeting his legs and arms twice a week each. The other three days are weight-free for more fun cardio workouts, such as a 20-minute jump rope challenge between Neal and his wife at home.
“I basically want his body to know it’s not resting now,” she laughs.
As the challenge continues, Payne will target more muscle mass, focusing on heavier weights and more weight training during the second half.
“She’s awesome, she’s really kicking my butt right now,” says Neal. “I can already see the difference, I feel stronger.”
Payne’s biggest tip for Neal is to make sure he continues to get enough rest and water. Acknowledging his fast-paced job, she says the key is downtime so he’s ready to face the next day.
And she’s got some words for his opponent too, quashing any rumours of a possible burnout from her client.
“I think Rob’s looking a bit too laid back and relaxed at the gym,” she says. “He’s gonna have to really amp it up if he wants to beat Collin.”
