Training Better With Haitham Gazzaz

With the fitness wave sweeping across the KSA, people are now finally able to come out with their love for sports. But there are still some who wish to get started and are hindered by barriers, either personal or societal.

We have decided to address some of those issues as well as talk about compound training for fitness. There is more than one way to get fit; weightlifting, CrossFit, HIIT, kickboxing and so on. Each method caters to a specific objective, hence they are each ideal in their own way.

Compound exercises are fast-growing among fitness enthusiasts. They are quick, effective and allow a lot to be done in a shorter amount of time. We have spoken to the man himself, who has used a combination of exercises for an awe-inspiring transformation.

Rising above negativity with Haitham Gazzaz – Dr. Peanut Butter

Haitham Gazzaz, instructor at R.G. FIT, is one of leading examples of fitness and weight loss in the KSA. Haitham started working out as a way of escaping from all the insecurities and self-doubts for being an overweight kid, but he soon fell in love with it. He was very interested in martial arts from a young age and is currently a kickboxing trainer at the R.G. FIT gym in Jeddah.

His transformation might be motivating, but his story is even more so. As a kid trying to get fit, his friends and peers questioned him and made fun of him. Despite these barriers, Haitham managed to, not only get fit, but even go on to become a trainer while completing his doctorate.

We had a chat with him on training, fitness and how to overcome barriers.

• Haitham we are amazed by your accomplishments. Tell us, during your transformation, how did you cope with the negative feedback from people?
  
  “It was just another source of fuel for me. I knew these people will never understand and accomplish what I am doing with that mindset so I felt unique. And I remembered the quote every time I heard a negative comment – you are not doing something great until you have a hater”.
  
  
• How supportive was your family during your fitness journey?
  
  “At the beginning they weren’t supportive because they didn’t understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I don’t come from an athletic family so I was the only one who actually took sports seriously. But over the years with my strong commitment and dedication I started making everyone understand and support my vision and lifestyle not just that I actually started pulling them one by one to believing in sports and health in general”.
  
  
• We know you are a martial arts fan. Other than boxing, which other martial art do you practice?
  
  “Kickboxing and recently I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu”.
  
  
• Which martial art do you think is most effective for self-defense?
  
  “I think all martial arts are effective in self-defense because they build your reflexes and your ability to concentrate under pressure.  I would say a combination of hitting and kicking plus ground control. Gracie jiu jitsu offer great self-defending techniques”.
   
• What’s the one advice you would give someone trying to lose weight?
  
  “There’s no perfect plan that works for all of us you GOTTA TRY for yourself what works and what doesn’t work until you find the best plan that suits you. It’s called trial and error”.
  
  
• In your opinion, what more needs to be done to change the fitness culture in KSA? How do you plan to contribute to it?
  
  “I already believe that the fitness industry is growing tremendously in KSA these days especially because we have social media everywhere, 10 years ago when I started we didn’t have Instagram or snapchat, so info was only through books or magazines but nowadays everyone who knows about health is sharing it through the social media. So I believe that we need to invest in our own people through the media as SSS did with the new campaign. And when people in KSA see that many of us made it they become motivated and excited to change their lives too.
  
  I already do contribute, as I have done in the last 5 years I will continue to put out helpful content about health and sports in social media to reach more people and actively participate in health campaigns where I can meet people face to face to share my knowledge and love for sports with ’em”.

So there you have it, a tried and tested method on how to beat the odds and achieve your goals. The key to it all is being 100% committed.

A Fat Burner Circuit For Beginners.

Now to the key takeaway – How can you achieve similar results? Well, you are in luck.
We have devised a simple enough routine that challenges your limits and torches body fat.
(Consult an instructor for form and weight before beginning).

1. Barbell Deadlift – 10 reps, 5 sets
2. Barbell Push Press – 10 reps, 5 sets
3. Kettlebell Swing – 10 reps, 5 sets
4. Box Jumps – 10 reps, 5 sets
5. Full-speed Sprints – 5 sets for 60 secs

Follow through for a month, 5 times a week. Thank us later.
Do share your before-after transformation shots with us on Instagram @sunsandsports with the hashtag #showthemyou.

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