My critique of TV Host Steven Sabados' workouts

I always love checking out the Globe and Mail's workout critiques. This week it was Steven Sabados' turn. I critique the critiques and thought instead of just leaving disturbingly long comments on the Globe and Mail site, I might as well put them on my blog. A little obsessed, yes. But I love finding out how other people would approach a challenge. I'm looking to open my mind to new ideas, confirm my current strategies or at the very least, peak inside the fitness approaches of the generally higher profile folks the Globe and Mail includes in their critique column.

Instead of copying and pasting the Globe article in my blog, I suggest you go and read it. Then my critique will at the very least have a context.

The questions I would ask him that weren't addressed in the article are:
1) How are you sleeping? Without proper sleep, he'll never get anywhere.
2) How many drinks do you have per week? I see loads of people in media and entertainment. This is normally something to work on.
3) What's your caffeine intake and when do you have your last caffeinated beverage in the day? He should be looking at the potential impact caffeine is having on his sleep and adrenals.
4) What does your naturopath say about what's going on with your general fatigue? This information would impact the type of fitness activities that are best for him at this point in time.
5) Why are you eating corn pasta? Hasn't he read Fast Food Nation or watched Food Inc.? Hello belly fat.

So here goes...

Great advice from the expert they sourced (Jason Crandell, Yoga instructor) in terms of including restorative activities in Steven's fitness plan. Steven is clearly starting to get burned out. What got him here and what kind of big picture paradigms or priorities does he need to readjust?

Just doing yoga isn't going to fit with Steven's goals. He's has to look great on camera and stay lean. At the age of 45 Steven can't stop strength training. People naturally get softer as they get older due to loss of lean body mass unless they fight the muscle atrophy that is very unforgiving in a very short period of time once middle age hits. Restorative yoga is going to help chill him out but it WILL NOT keep his metabolism healthy.

Steven should complete two to three (depending on how busy he is) properly designed full body strength workouts each week, not random ineffective workouts he's mentioned in the article. He could be totally wasting his precious time at the gym without any strategy. Again, the only way he'll be able to keep the fat off is to keep his metabolism in high gear with lean body mass. Muscle is the fountain of youth. Then he should ensure he does activities after his strength work that bring his nervous system down (some yin yoga postures, myofascial release with physio rolls, fascial stretch therapy). He's operating in his sympathetic nervous system all day so he needs to ensure his body knows how to calm itself again after an intense workout or before bed. Including a restorative yoga class every week would help.
Steven needs to stop working out to work off bad eating. Knowing you can just go "work it off" will promote gluttony. He also needs to get off the idea that the amount of time spent at a gym will directly impact results. That's so yesterday Steven! It's the effort you put in that counts the most (AKA high efficiency training is where it's at). Your rep range per set should be around 10-12 in general if you're only getting two strength workouts per week. The high rep to stay lean is so Tracy Anderson if that's what you are doing.

Steven has worked with a trainer in the past. I'd say now is the time to find a trainer who appreciates that fitness is holistic.
Since Steven's looks (not just his brains and charm) are his money maker, an investment in his health via a personal trainer isn't something he can skimp on. He's got to get on making holistic fitness a priority before it's too late.

Steven needs a flexible plan given his unpredictable work schedule. But Steven is just like most people who say they can't commit to a regular fitness plan. Sorry Steven, but you're just like most people on this front. Everyone is tight for time. Everyone, to varying degrees, has unpredictable schedules. But you're not 30 anymore. Once people turn 45, things can start changing quickly without proper attention.

That was fun. Thanks to the Globe and Mail and Steven for the inspiring content.

Jane Clapp
Urbanfitt