Train S.M.A.R.T.
Charlie Gower—ex pro rugby player (and The Nue Co. CEO’s other half) on his training routine.
“I’ve always been a competitive person. At a young age, that’s what pushed and forced me to approach life with a certain level of intensity. I believe athletic performance is a complex trait that’s influenced by environmental factors, your genetic profile and most importantly, an optimal training environment. I learned early on that the only way to reach athletic performance was to truly earn it.
When I played rugby, the emphasis was always on size and power. As a result, I was carrying around 25 lbs above my body’s natural weight and while it was mostly muscle, it was a lot on my body. Discovering CrossFit gave me the same stress release minus the broken bones and visits to the operating table. As the workouts are short and intense, they require your full attention. The adrenaline rush and endorphins released during each session leaves me feeling refreshed and more energized.
My weekly training depends on my work schedule but I try to do some level of exercise six days a week. Sunday I relax but it usually includes a long walk with Jules and my dog, Lola. It allows me to enter the week as fresh as possible.
When it comes to my pre-workout routine, I’ll grab a KILL CLIFF® IGNITE drink if I’m running out the door but if I have the time I’ll mix The Nue Co.’s Power Up with grapefruit juice. I like the taste and as it has a low-glycemic index, it prevents my blood sugar from spiking after my post-workout shake. In my shake, I throw in 1 tbsp of The Nue Co. Probiotic Protein - Milk to aid recovery, a banana, peanut butter and lactose-free milk—it’s easy and tastes great. I also like the FITAID Recovery Blend drink post-workout if I need a grab-and-go alternative.
When you have an intense training routine, recovery is just as important. Longer days at work have made me really aware of this. As a professional rugby player, stretching, ice baths, massage, and recovery sessions were built into our daily schedule. With this discipline in mind, I try to spend 15 mins stretching each night (foam rollers are great for this) and I’ll massage The Nue Co.’s Magnesium Ease into any areas of tension. Epsom salt baths are also great for muscle recovery so I’ll try to soak once every few weeks. I specifically like Epsoak Sport Salts and use around 2 cups per bath.
Any athlete will tell you diet is a cornerstone of performance but some forget that taking supplements can also help enrich the body's internal environment aiding in both repair and regeneration. Just like skipping a day of training will impact your progress, skipping your supplements can have the same effect. With training and diet, consistency is key—the way you take your supplements should be the same.
If you’re looking to create your own workout routine, reach out to a fitness expert or trainer for help to set up a structured plan. Don’t make it complicated and overwhelm yourself—start by making S.M.A.R.T. goals. That means they need to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely—that’s how you’ll stay on the path to long-term success.”
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