Birmingham UK, GMAC & HPC Training Centre

“Nature has provided man with the possibility to enhance his abilities in extreme situations, and we need to utilise it in the training of the high class athlete.” — Prof. Yuri Verkhoshansky. More on this man´s training philosophy and systems soon….

Back in England for xmas I took the time to go back the Perry Bar training site and the Birmingham High Performance Centre to talk all day with my old friend Darren Joseph, coach to high jumpers Jordan Roach and Phillis. Also Andy Paul, a very nice old friend who´s a coach. I missed my other friends and old training partner Tom Parsons and coach Fuzz Armed, GB national high jump coach, as I got enchanted by the new Gymnastics & Martial Arts Centre (GMAC) next door.

GMAC – An excellent training centre that has been built, next to where I used to train indoors, at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. The fact that it is only 10 meters from the athletics high performance centre is exciting for me, because sooner or later the athletes will begin to understand the value of postural gymnastic training to their performance, and when they do there are some of the best training facilities and coaches in the world ready to be used. 10 Meters is not a lot, but it can be a mile in terms of communication and understanding. It would be nice to see the physical gap between the building covered, with open access either side to a cafe that sells training recovery drinks and protein supplements. Then both world class gymnasts and athletes will have a place to discuss ideas and shared problems.

Phil Barrow is the head coach at the City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club. If you have any interest in gymnastics he IS your man, a charming individual and a world class instructor. I we had a good chat about some old friends and discussed Vincenzo Canali´s work.