Jody Cranston / Powershape

FITNESS AS A FORM OF TREATMENT FOR CANCER PATIENTS.

2011-10-31T22:22:00.000-07:00

The following article was written by guest author Liz Davies. Important and well written articles such as this will always have a home on my Blog. Many thanks Liz, hopefully this is the first of many.

Fitness is now being widely recognized as a method of treatment for those who are currently suffering from cancer. While fitness and exercise will not necessarily get rid of any cancer that is already present in the system, it is a great way to remain healthy and in shape while preventing various other forms of cancer and diseases. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who exercise for at least thirty minutes during the day are less likely to suffer from breast cancer, colon cancer, and even testicular mesothelioma.

Individuals who are suffering from cancer will most likely undergo various types of treatment. Some of the most common treatment methods for cancer include radiation therapy, surgery, and even chemotherapy. While these treatment methods can help reduce the cancer and possibly get rid of the cancer for good, some of the treatment methods can leave the patient feeling very tired and lightheaded throughout the day. Beginning a fitness routine on a daily basis can help the cancer patient to relieve some of these frustrating side effects of cancer treatments.

There are several forms of exercise that can be performed by cancer patients. Before the patient begins their fitness routine, they should speak with their doctor about their condition to make sure that it is okay to exercise. Most doctors will encourage cancer patients to exercise. When a cancer patient begins a fitness routine, they should start off with simple stretches. A simple stretch would include sitting on the floor and stretching out the legs and arms. Static stretching and passive stretching are both gentle versions of stretching that can be beneficial for cancer patients.

Once the patient completes about five minutes of stretching, they should begin some aerobic exercises. Some of the best exercises for cancer patients include brisk walking, running on a treadmill, jogging, and riding a bike. The cancer patient can switch up their fitness routine and do different activities each day. It is important to exercise but it is also important that the patient does not overdo it. A daily fitness routine of about thirty minutes will not only help the cancer patient to maintain fitness and get into shape, it will often help cancer patients on their road to recovering from cancer.Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

( Liz Davies / Article ).
( Jody Cranston / 2011 ).

POWER WORKOUT.

2011-08-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

DOUBLE BODYWEIGHT BENCH PRESS / TRIPLE PLUS BODYWEIGHT DEADLIFT.

Today's workout:
Bench Press - 365lbs. Double Bodyweight.
Deadlift - 555lbs. Triple plus Bodyweight.

I feel contest ready, my body weight is good (possibly a little light) and the lifts were very fast and controlled. I finished my heavy day with: Incline bench presses, shoulders and abs.

To see video of my contest lifts click here:
Bench Press.
Deadlift.

( Jody Cranston / Workout ).

ORANJ FITNESS.

2011-06-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

"I have seen the future of fitness in Canada - and its Oranj..."

Oranj is a booming community based fitness, dance and yoga studio located on Lawrence Ave. in the heart of the vibrant downtown core of Kelowna BC. I am very excited/proud to be a part owner of BC's premier Fitness Studio which was started four years ago by my friends Sheila Chutskoff and Darrell Kopke.

Oranj Fitness is divided into four studio rooms to manage their four major health components: dance, yoga, indoor bootcamp and Spinning. Walk into any of these studio rooms during business hours and prepare to be amazed! The quality of the workouts, the number of enthusiastic people participating and the world class instructors are astounding. The four studio rooms are:
The Bon Jovi Room. - Mainly Dance. - From Zumba to Ballet. All of the dance classes at Oranj rate an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10. Extremely fun and effective.

The JT Room. - Mainly Yoga. - Ground yourself with premium yoga instructors. Oranj offers classes for all yoga levels. Build a strong foundation, strengthen your core and leave fatigued and fully regenerated. The candlelight classes are not to be missed.

The Micheal Jackson Room. - A brand new edition. Oranj is expanding! - Energy, Intensity - Fitness at its highest level! Quite simply the best spinning class you will ever attend!

The Elvis Room. - Real Trainers, Real Exercises, Real Results. - Kelowna can't/won't stop raving about the bootcamps at Oranj. The classes are packed daily. Simple: If you attend any of the bootcamps at Oranj and don't agree that it is the best bootcamp that you have EVER attended, I will personally reimburse you the drop-in fee. I could live in the Elvis Room.

Note: Due to logistics, some Yoga classes are in the Bon Jovi Room and some Dance is in the JT Room.It has been a pleasure watching Oranj grow from an idea to an empty location to the booked solid and expanding facility that it is today. Thanks to the brilliance of my friends Sheila and Darrell. Add in a new refreshment bar, beautiful upscale changing rooms, plenty of membership options and child care. Oranj is the perfect fitness experience. I have every Personal Trainers dream: a booming Fitness Studio that I am part owner of. Only, Oranj is in Kelowna and I am here in Vancouver. Oh well, I will figure it out one of these days. Until then, watch for an Oranj Fitness Studio opening one day at a location near you!

To see this article in Press Release form click HERE.

( Jody Cranston / Oranj Fitness ).

RETURN TO SPLENDOR

2011-01-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

"I have always wanted to do a blog entry with a tie-in to Elvis...here is my chance. The title of this entry is borrowed liberally from the 1962 number 1 smash hit "Return to Sender" by Elvis Presley. I use the title, with a slight change (and sense of humor), to refer to making the The 2010 Powerliftingwatch.com Annual Top 50 List. With everything that has happened since making the 2009 List one year ago, its great to be back."

At this time last year I was just starting to recover and slowly regain the range of motion for my left arm after my operation. Repair and rehab for a complete DISTAL BICEPS TENDON RUPTURE was the order of the day. Although the surgery was a total success and recovery was going well, lifting anything heavy at that point was well into the future. I owe a huge thank you to my friend Dan Leece for all his help and the guys on the powerlifting forums for their advice on beating my (by far) worst lifting injury. During this time I learned a tremendous amount about injury, training, psychology and kinetics.

Strangely, I miss this period and wouldn't trade a moment of it, both pre and post operation.

The Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture injury, operation and rehab was educational, strength building and a lot of fun. I trained my friend Vicki Greenwood 15 minutes after the acute tendon rupture and the only work day I missed was the Friday of the operation. The other major trauma this past year: losing my friend Robert O Smith was a whole different matter. For the past Seven years Robert O Smith, Aden Carpenter and myself barnstormed around the Pacific Northwest: competing in meets, appearing on Television, and putting up some of the best power lifts of our lives! Robert O Smith absolutely revived my Powerlifting career. Aden and I have already lifted together in December and had a great meet, I Deadlifted 257.5 Kilos / 568 lbs. and Aden Bench Pressed 70 Kilos / 154 lbs. Both lifts were of coarse dedicated to Robert O but, it will never be the same without our Mentor.

Its great to be back lifting competitively. I can't wait to see what I can do in 2011 with my post operation scar on my left arm and Robert O Smith by my side.

POST SCRIPT:
Powerliftingwatch.com, the recognized leader in the Internet world of powerlifting comes out with a yearly Top 50 list for each lift and weight category. This has quickly become the powerlifting standard of excellence because The Top 50 includes every sanctioned contest over the past year regardless of federation.

Also worth noting, The Powerliftingwatch.com Top 50 has no age class verification, only what you weighed and what you lifted, pure statistics the way they should be. Therefore, if you have placed in the Top 50 you have ranked ahead hundreds, possibly thousands of other lifters!

( Jody Cranston / 2010 Powerlifting ).

USAPL 6th ANNUAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC.

2010-12-05T01:58:00.000-08:00

3 for 3 IN THE DEADLIFT: Master Men 82.5 Kilo / 181 lbs. Division: 257.5 Kilos / 568 lbs. December 4th. 2010.

USA POWERLIFTING WEBSITE.
( Jody Cranston / Lifting Contest ).
( Jody Cranston / Dec.4th, 2010).

THE TOWNHOME IS PAID IN FULL

2010-10-22T22:32:00.001-07:00

( Jody Cranston / Clear Title ).
( Jody Cranston / Picture ).

JODY CRANSTON DEADLIFTS 573 lbs. WABDL

2010-09-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

Jody Cranston Deadlifts 573 lbs./ 260 Kilos to set The WABDL 181 lbs. Division Canadian Master Deadlift Record at "The Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships" in Olympia Washington 2009. ~JODY'S ALL TIME BEST DEADLIFT 590lbs. at 163lbs. 3/10/2002.~

( Jody Cranston / WABDL ).
( Jody Cranston / Youtube / Video ).

JODY CRANSTON POWER TRAINING 2009 FEATURED ON SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.COM

2010-07-22T16:07:00.001-07:00

"I have always been a huge fan of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE and felt that SPORTS ILLUSTRATED set the standard for World Class sports coverage. I remember collecting the Magazines when I was younger and cutting out pictures of my favorite Athletes, especially Famous Boxers. So, imagine my surprise when my POWER TRAINING 2009 Video appeared on the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE Web Site.
As an Athlete I am truly honored and more importantly I think My Father Pat, a life-long Sports Fanatic would be proud." To view The Original Page click HERE.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

METRO VANCOUVER NEWSPAPER: TOP 5 PERSONAL TRAINERS

2010-06-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

Guinness World Records Ltd. States that: "Metro is the worlds largest international newspaper with 70 editions published in 93 cities, 21 countries and 19 languages across Europe, North/South America and Asia attracting an audience of over 18.5 million daily readers."

To see this article in its original format click HERE.

TOP 5 PERSONAL TRAINERS
RECOMMENDED BY METRO READERS

JODY CRANSTON
"He is great at what he does and is one of the most enthusiastic people I know, which is so important when you are working towards any goal."

GRANT ROWE
"I started training with Grant about a year ago and the change in my looks and how I feel has been a night and day difference."

ERIN GUPPY
"She will design a fitness program that works for you."

KENNY MUIR
"He puts me through an incredibly challenging workout yet I feel safe and never been injured or relapsed once under his care."

PATTI BISHOP
"Patti is professional, fun and listens to her clients needs."

( Jody Cranston / Media ).
( Jody Cranston / Metro Newspaper ).

JODY CRANSTON FEATURED ON THE EXPRESS.

2010-06-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

Jody Cranston attempts to Deadlift 405 lbs. as many times as he can in front of thousands on Television! Can he do it more than 15 times as he promised?

( Jody Cranston / Media / Video ).
( Jody Cranston / Shaw TV ).

POWER ON.

2010-05-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

TODAYS TRAINING. May 13th 2009.
I am really busy with work, so I had to combine two workouts today: Heavy Bench and Deadlifts together. This almost felt like a Lifting Meet and is a great way to prepare for future tournaments.

Deadlifts: 555 lbs x 1, 515 lbs x 2
Stiff leg Deadlifts on blocks - 405 x 3 x 2.

Bench Press: 355 lbs x 1, 315 lbs x 2.
Bench volume.

( Jody Cranston / Training ).

POWERLIFTING USA MAGAZINE.

2010-03-19T21:57:00.001-07:00

POWERLIFTING USA Magazine is considered the " Bible of Powerlifting " and is available at bookstores and newsstands the world over.

~Great Northern Bench Press and Dead Lift Championships~
" Venue: Red Lion Hotel, Olympia Washington. The event had 104 lifters from Idaho, Canada, Oregon and Washington. In the deadlift, Jody Cranston of Canada set a national record 573 lbs. in 40-46/181. Jody is a personal trainer and has about 50 clients. "

( Quote in Powerlifting USA. As reprinted from March/2010 issue ).
( Jody Cranston / Media / Magazine ).

POWERLIFTING USA MAGAZINE.

2010-03-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

TEAM CANADA at the USAPL Pacific Open included (left to right) Mark Vezina, Robert O.Smith, Nancy Carpenter and Jody Cranston. (thanks to Robert O.Smith for providing us this photograph).

( As reprinted from Powerlifting USA Magazine March/2007 ).
( Jody Cranston / Media ).

URBAN TRENDZ MAGAZINE.

2010-03-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Friday September 2/05 cover of UrbanTrendz.

( Jody Cranston Media ).

MONSTER MUSCLE MAGAZINE.

2010-03-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Jody Cranston of Canada wins 1st place in Bull Stewart's Powerlifting Meet in Seattle, WA.

(Reprinted from Monster Muscle Magazine Oct 2003).

( Jody Cranston Media ).

MSNBC.COM ARTICLE.

2010-02-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

Melissa Dahl wrote an excellent article about "Gym Injuries" on MSNBC.COM. It was very exciting to see that she used a quote from me for this piece from a telephone interview that we did. MSNBC.COM is the #1 internet news site in United States, with 37.2 million unique visitors a month (yahoo!News is second). I owe a huge "thank you" to Shawn Taylor of Shawn Taylor Photography for recomending me for this article. Below are my quotes from this piece, click HERE to read the article in its entirety.

So if health club newcomers are a little wary during their first few workouts, they have good reason.

“It can be, when you’re starting out, a huge, scary experience,” says Jody Cranston, a personal trainer in Vancouver, B.C. “You’ve got all this heavy equipment, these huge, heavy weights that almost seem like they’re flying around the room.”

In Cranston's 13 years of being a personal trainer, he’s seen his share of trips and falls — once, he even watched a gym newbie do a complete cartwheel before falling off a treadmill.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

SQUAT 3

2010-01-25T21:44:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank Heather McAlpine, my good friend and Running Clinic Instructor, for contributing to this article.

Squats!! Volumes have been written about this multi-faceted exercise. The purpose of this article is to attempt to dispel 3 of the most common Squat myths and to reinforce why Squats are the most effective leg-core exercise ever invented. Bar none!!

Myth #1 - Squats are bad for your knees.

Squats, as long as they are performed in a full range of motion (knee joint parallel or below parallel with the hip joint) will accomplish the objective of strengthening the surrounding muscles and increase the knee joint integrity.

Myth #2 - Squats are detrimental to your spine.

Once again, technique is paramount to dispelling this myth. Keep your chin up, your abdomen wall flexed and your back straight. This will help position you so the weight is carried directly over your spinal column muscles. You will engage and therefore strengthen the leg, core and back area safely and efficiently.

Myth #3 - Squats will make your legs big.

Mass is usually a byproduct of heavy weights and low reps. Conversely, a high rep (16 to 24), light weight regimen will : tone, condition and increase only lean muscle fibre.

Description and Execution of a Squat:
1) Lift the bar out of the rack, stand and hold on the upper trap area with your chin up.
2) Take a deep breath, tighten your ab muscles, bend your knees and slowly assume a seated position-Controlled.
3) When your hip joint drops below your knee joint (thus, below parallel) explode to original standing position!!
4) Repeat until failure.
5) Prepare for the benefits of new-found strength and lean muscle fibre.

When performed properly (see above), squats are tremendously beneficial to any/all leg and core workouts. Squats will increase strength, stability and thoroughly work the lower body more effectively than any other exercise!!

( Jody Cranston / Article ).
( Article originally published in URBAN TRENDZ MAGAZINE ).

THE POWERLIFTINGWATCH.COM 2009 ANNUAL TOP 50 LIST.

2009-12-31T22:15:00.000-08:00

Powerliftingwatch.com, the recognized leader in the Internet world of powerlifting comes out with a yearly Top 50 list for each lift and weight category. This has quickly become the powerlifting standard of excellence because The Top 50 includes every sanctioned contest over the past year regardless of federation.

Also worth noting, The Powerliftingwatch.com Top 50 has no age class verification, only what you weighed and what you lifted, pure statistics the way they should be. Therefore, if you have placed in the Top 50 you have ranked ahead hundreds, possibly thousands of other lifters!

THE TEAM VANCOUVER MEMBERS WHO HAVE PLACED IN THE POWERLIFTINGWATCH.COM TOP 50:
148 lbs. Division / Women's Bench Press / Nancy Carpenter - 221 lbs.
308 lbs. Division / Men's Bench Press / Robert O Smith - 578 lbs.
181 lbs. Division / Men's Deadlift / Jody Cranston - 574 lbs.

I am ecstatic to have made The 2009 Annual List and a huge congratulations to Robert O and Nancy on their tremendous lifts.

Note: Click on Robert O Smith's name to see his splendid write up on achieving a Powerlifting.com Top 50 Placing.

( Jody Cranston / Internet Media ).

UNIVISION TV

2009-12-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

UNIVISION TV: Univisión is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. It has the largest Latin American audience, largely due to repurposed telenovelas and other Mexican programs. It is available on cable in most of the United States, with local stations in over 50 markets with sizeable Latino populations.

"I really like living in the age of Internet Media, it is always exciting to see where or what site you might be featured on. Recently some of my videos were picked up by Univision TV. This kind of International Media recognition and exposure is always welcomed, I can't wait to see were I could possibly appear next." To see my videos on Univision click HERE.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

JODY CRANSTON 2010.

2009-09-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

Best Lifts 2009 : 181 lbs. Division (Open/M1) Bench Press - 375 lbs. Deadlift - 574 lbs.

( Jody Cranston / Recap 2009 ).

THE EXPRESS FEATURES POWERLIFTING.

2009-09-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

Jody Cranston, Robert O Smith, and Nancy Carpenter are profiled on "The Express".

( Jody Cranston / Media / Video ).
( Jody Cranston / Shaw TV ).

NEW MASTER DEADLIFT RECORD FOR JODY CRANSTON

2009-09-09T22:02:00.001-07:00

From The Richmond Review, Wednesday August 28, 2009...
NEW MASTER DEADLIFT RECORD FOR JODY CRANSTON

Richmond's Jody Cranston was a double winner in the 181 pound division at the WABDL Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships" in Olympia, Wash. on the weekend.

Cranston, who weighted 178 pounds, set the WABDL (World Association Bench Press and Deadlifters) Canadian masters class record by lifting 574 pounds, well over triple his bodyweight.

The lifetime Richmond resident secured a second first-place award by bench pressing 358 pounds, double his bodyweight.

"I am very happy with these lifts and plan to keep training hard so I can lift even more in the future", said Cranston.

These Victories qualify Cranston for The WABDL World Championships in Reno Nevada October 30th.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

RECORD LIFTS FOR CRANSTON

2009-09-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

From The Richmond News, Wednesday September 9th, 2009...
RECORD LIFTS FOR CRANSTON

Richmond News
Published: Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Richmond's Jody Cranston produced a pair of first place finishes in the 181 lb weight class at the World Association Bench Press and Deadlifters Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships.

Cranston set the WABDL Canadian Masters class deadlift record by lifting 574 lbs. -- well over triple his bodyweight of 178 lbs.

The lifetime drug-free Richmond resident secured a second first place award by bench pressing 358 lbs.

"I am very happy with these lifts and plan to keep training hard so I can lift even more in the future," said Cranston.

The victories qualify Cranston for The WABDL World Championships in Reno Oct. 30.

© Richmond News 2009
( Jody Cranston / Media ).

Jody Cranston / Powershape - Biography -

2009-08-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

I am the owner of the Vancouver-based Highly Successful Fitness company, Powershape Personal Training, a Business I established in 1997.

My WABDL Canadian National Records are:
148lbs. Division.-
Bench Press:303lbs. Deadlift: 515lbs. (My Best Deadlift in The 148lbs. Division is 520lbs.USPF).
165lbs. Division.-
Bench Press:330lbs. Deadlift: 590lbs.
181lbs. Division.-
Bench Press:375lbs. Deadlift: 585lbs.
- Gold Medal B.C. Winter Games: Powerlifting -

I have been featured on City TV's "Breakfast Television", Shaw TV's "The Express"(Sports Section), "Urban Trendz Magazine", "The Richmond Review", "The Richmond News", "The Province" and "The Vancouver Sun". I was also named one of the Top 5 Personal Trainers by readers of "The Metro Vancouver" Newspaper. Recently, I became a Co-Owner of "Oranj Dance and Fitness Spa" (oranjdance.com) in Kelowna where I exclusively developed : "The Cast Iron Indoor Power Bootcamp" , while continuing to train 16 to 20 people a day of all fitness levels in Vancouver.

( Jody Cranston / Bio ).

THE VANCOUVER SUN NEWSPAPER

2009-08-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

From The Vancouver Sun, Saturday September 5, 2009...
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
JODY CRANSTON
The Vancouver resident won two titles last weekend at the World Association Bench Press and Deadlifters Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championships in Olympia, Wash. Competing in the 181-pound division, Cranston, set the WABDL Canadian master class deadlift record by lifting 574 pounds.

The personal trainer won the bench press title by lifting 358 pounds. These wins qualified Cranston for the WABDL world championships in Reno, Nevada Oct. 30. "I plan to keep training hard so I can lift even more in the future," said Cranston.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
( Jody Cranston / Media ).

Cranston Sets New Powerlifting Standard

2009-08-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Richmond's Jody Cranston pressed twice his weight to earn top marks
From the Richmond Review...
Cranston sets new powerlifting standard
Richmond's Jody Cranston set a WABDL Canadian Bench Press powerlifting record last weekend in Olympia, Washington .

The personal trainer pressed 358 pounds (twice his bodyweight) to earn first-place honours in his [181]-pound weight class.

Cranston was also victorious in the dead-lift portion of the tournament which qualifies him for the world championship to be held in Reno, Nevada this November.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

NEW RECORD FOR CRANSTON

2009-08-16T23:00:00.000-07:00

From The Richmond News, Wednesday July 27,2004...
NEW RECORD FOR CRANSTON

Richmond's Jody Cranston set a new WABDL Canadian Sub-Master Record for the Deadlift at a powerlifting meet in Tacoma, Wa. last weekend.

The 34-year-old Owner of Powershape Personal Training successfully lifted 585 lbs. at a body weight of 176 lbs. The lift also earned him the best overall trophy beating out all the other competitors at the event.

"I'm very satisfied with my training and this accomplishment", said Cranston, who has established several WABDL Canadian Records at different weight classes in his career.

"I can't wait to see what I do at my next meets."

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

NEW LIFT RECORD FOR CRANSTON

2009-08-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

From The Richmond News, Friday October 24, 2008...
NEW LIFT RECORD FOR CRANSTON.

Richmond's Jody Cranston set the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters' Canadian Bench Press Record for his division at the third annual Pacific Open Powerlifting Contest in Olympia Wa.

Cranston pressed 375 pounds to win the 181 lb. division--well over double his bodyweight.

The victory qualifies him to represent Canada at WABDL World Championships in Las Vegas on Nov.22.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

THE PROVINCE NEWSPAPER.

2009-08-16T22:56:00.000-07:00

It takes a whole village to raise a champ

Darren Darby's corner is just as essential to his title-shot hopes as his fists; and both are growing day by day

By Steve Ewen, The Province

Darren Darby (centre) has a huge support network. From left, Jody Cranston (powerlifter and personal trainer), Jason Fenton (kick boxer), Paul Forde (MMA fighter), Barbara Barley (runs Sports Central Gym, where Darby does much of training), wife Denise Darby with children Kaden, Ethan, and Max, and Dr. Kris Bentz (naturopath).
Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, The Province.

Boxer Darren Darby checks out the technique of his youngest son, Ethan, during training for Friday's Rumble at the Rock. Darby is on the undercard.
Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, The Province.

Click HERE to read the entire article from The Province Newspaper Sports Section, Sunday June 14th 2009.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

CENTENNIAL THEATRE PUMPS UP THE VOLUME

2009-08-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

From the North Shore News, Sunday March 26, 2006...
A brush with Fame: Centennial Theatre pumps up the volume with bodybuilding event

Jody Cranston is ready to lift until his legs bleed and his eyes pop out.

Of course he's exaggerating a bit, but the Canadian powerlifting record holder is set to grin and bear it when he tries to set a new powerlifting record at Fame West -- a figure, fitness, model and bodybuilding competition that comes to North Vancouver's Centennial Theatre April 1.

For the third consecutive year, the body beautiful has its prime showcase event here on the North Shore. Cranston, who has been powerlifting since 1993, will be one of the show's special performances. There's no question that

Cranston knows what he's doing, with past personal bests that include deadlifting a barbell weighing 520 pounds at a 144-lb body weight and 590 lbs at a 164-lb body weight. At the show, Cranston will be attempting to do as many repetitions as possible lifting a 500-lb weight. Last fall, Cranston successfully did 20 reps of 400 lb. ...

Click on the pictures to the right to see the full article.

( Jody Cranston / Media ).

Pictures.

2009-08-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

( Jody Cranston / Pictures ).

Jody Cranston : 5 Diet Misconceptions.

2009-08-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Diet, nutrition and weight loss are probably the most often written and talked about subjects in the entire fitness industry. There seems to a new "plan" and "ground breaking" information all the time. But beware; topics that have so much information are bound to have a number of misconceptions based on half-truths with no scientific study to back them up.

1) Fat makes you fat, so avoid it.
Wrong! fat is needed for absorption of nutrients and to help the proper functioning of many of your body systems. Unused energy from food (carbohydrates) is what your body stores as fat, "fat is stored energy".

2) You have to radically change your diet.
With all the good basic health information available (i.e., avoid fried foods, go easy on the sugar, etc.) most people need to make only a few changes to achieve their weight loss goals.

3) Avoid any and all sweets until your goals are met.
It's important to put yourself on an eating plan that you can live with. Human nature dictates that depriving yourself of foods you love can lead to bingeing. Give yourself one night a week to break all the rules.

4) Eating fewer meals will help you lose weight.
Although this may seem logical, it's actually counter productive. Your body could go into a starvation mode due to a lack of food and can cause you to gain weight. Eating smaller, well-balanced meals (4-6 times a day) is the healthy solution.

5) If you eat a healthy diet, you'll lose weight.
Close, a healthy diet is essential but controlling the order in which you consume carbohydrates will determine your weight loss. Eat complex, starchy carbs (bread, potatoes, pasta) earlier in the day when you are more active. Ease into simple carbs at night (vegetables, salad) when you won't need or use as much energy.

I hope you find these 5 Diet Misconceptions helpful on Your way to healthy weight loss.

( Jody Cranston / Article ).
( Article originally published in URBAN TRENDZ MAGAZINE ).

Jody Cranston : 5 Points To Blasting Your Bench Press.

2009-08-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

The bench press is universally considered one of the most important upper body movements in any fitness regiment. Whether it is for a one rep max or a multi rep set, this lift is an extremely valuable weapon to have in your arsenal. Here are 5 important factors to improving your efficiency at this all time classic.

1) Grip the bar hard!
The "set-up" or initial portion of the lift is extremely important. Take a few moments prior to commencing the lift. Breathe deeply and grip the bar extra hard. This will help with concentration and force you not to be in a relaxed state.

2) Keep the body tight and rigid.
Once again take about 5 seconds before you start your set and contract your muscles, especially the ones located in the upper body girdle because they will absorb the brunt of the weight. Note to experienced trainers: keep your shoulder blades, rhomboids and mid-upper traps pulled together tight. This guarantees more muscle recruitment and therefore more strength.

3) Use the legs.
If you don't think the legs come into play, try benching with your feet up on the bench! Squeeze the glutes tight and drive the feet into the floor. Strong calves certainly help.

4) Control the speed of the bar.
What's the right speed? Personal preference comes into play but keep these factors in mind. A slow concentrated decent of the bar will recruit maximum muscle fibers and a fast, explosive push to completion leads to optimum strength. Control is the key and speed is power!!

5) Put extra emphasis on your triceps training.
A great lifter named Larry Pacifico once said, "in order to increase our efficiency at bench pressing, train your triceps the way you train your chest and train your chest the way you train your triceps". Translation, most people do not train their triceps anywhere near enough to gain maximum efficiency at this lift. The moment the bar is 6 inches off your chest this lift is all triceps, remember bench pressing is not merely a chest exercise; it is a true test of one's overall upper body strength.

I hope you find any or all these five factors helpful in realizing your maximum potential of the bench press. "The king of all upper body movements."

Jody Cranston is The Canadian WABDL Bench Press Record Holder (375 lbs. at 181 lbs. Body weight). His Powershape Personal Training is based at the Georgia Athletic Club in Vancouver and he can be reached at 604-831-1939, power-shape.blogspot.com or powershape@hotmail.com

( Jody Cranston / Article ).
( Article originally published in URBAN TRENDZ MAGAZINE ).

Jody Cranston / Powershape - Biography -

2009-08-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

I am the owner of the Vancouver-based Highly Successful Fitness company, Power Shape Personal Training, a Business I established in 1997.

My WABDL Canadian National Records are:
148lbs.
Bench Press:303lbs. Deadlift: 515lbs. (My Best Deadlift in The 148lbs. Division is 520lbs.USPF).
165lbs.
Bench Press:330lbs. Deadlift: 590lbs.
181lbs.
Bench Press:375lbs. Deadlift: 585lbs.

I have been featured on City TV's "Breakfast Television", Shaw TV's "The Express"(Sports Section),"The Richmond Review", "The Richmond News" and "The Province". I also write a Fitness Column for "Urban Trendz Magazine". Recently I became a Co-Owner of "Oranj Dance and Fitness Spa" (oranjdance.com) in Kelowna where I exclusively developed : "The Cast Iron Indoor Power Bootcamp" , while continuing to train 16 to 20 people a day of all fitness levels in Vancouver.

( Jody Cranston / Bio ).

JODY CRANSTON BENCH PRESSES 368 lbs. 2006

2009-08-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Jody Cranston lifts over 2 times his body weight setting a Canadian WABDL Bench Press Record of 368lbs at 175lbs body weight at The Great Northern Bench Press and Deadlift Championship, Olympia, WA in 2006. ~JODY'S ALL TIME BEST BENCH PRESS: 375lbs. at 178lbs. 9/13/2008.~

( Jody Cranston / WABDL ).
( Jody Cranston / Youtube / Video ).