The Conan Challenge
Conan the Barbarian is out this week. To celebrate, I embarked on a ridiculous challenge to get into the shape of star Jason Mamoa. I had a long conversation about Jason with some of my friends this week, where I was reminded that he is currently dating Lisa Bonet. Lucky.
Before we start, here is a little bit about the film…
On Blu-ray 3D & DVD ‘Double Play’, DVD
AND DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
12th December 2011
JASON MOMOA (Game of Thrones) stars as the legendary hero Conan in a stunning new visualisation of the hugely popular fantasy character, coming to DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Double Play, PLUS DIGITAL DOWNLOAD on 12th December.
Conan the Barbarian was born on the battlefield. From those blood soaked beginnings, the fledgling warrior is destined to venture into an unforgiving world after his father is brutally murdered and his village destroyed. As he journeys through a world rife with terrifying monsters, sorcerers and bloodthirsty enemies, he chances upon Khalar Zym – the warlord responsible for his tribe’s destruction. And so Conan’s quest to avenge his father begins…
MOMOA heads up a cast which also includes RON PERLMAN (Hellboy) ROSE MCGOWAN (Planet Terror), and STEPHEN LANG (Avatar) in this sword-and-sorcery epic directed by Marcus Nispel (Friday the 13th).
Special Features on Blu-ray and DVD:
The Conan Legacy
Robert E. Howard: The Man Who Would Be Conan
Battle Royal: Engineering The Action
Staging The Fights
Audio Commentary with Director Marcus Nispel
Audio Commentary with Actors Jason Momoa and Rose McGowan
See Conan The Barbarian in 2D or 3D on the Blu-ray Disc – both versions of the film are included on the Blu-ray Disc. For 3D, you’ll need a fully capable 3D HDTV and 3D compatible blu-ray player or PS3 and 3D glasses (not included).
Anyway, back to the challenge.
As it turns out, only me and my good friend Jez Sands were brave (stupid) enough to pick up the gauntlet. You can follow the undoubtedly AMAZING progress Jez made right here…
http://blog.onthebox.com/2011/11/30/the-conan-workout-challenge-final-week/
As you may have noticed by now… i’m stalling a bit. Here’s how I got on.
But first let me point out that I do sod all exercise at the moment, have recently started a food blog (have you seen most food bloggers? They make Rick Waller look lithe and slim) and a few other bad habits along the way.
For starters, there was a very strict diet to follow as part of the program. No carbs after 4pm. Seriously… no carbs after 4. I’m taking this on off the back of Ramadan, where I had no anything during the day, so was pretty weedy already. Then I went on a food binge… and now had a lot of weight added on in the last few weeks.
Yeah, i’m getting my excuses in early.
ANYWAY.
I started the 3 week program a few days early by cutting out the fatty foods, Nuts, brown bread and meat became my friends. No fizzy drinks and plenty of water.
Also I started to do the 30 mins of cardio required on a daily basis. Yep I fell over on the first day after a five minute jog and pulled my hammy walking back.
Time to prepare properly for this! I hit the laptop and spent hours picking out my training outfit.
Here is what I got.
I look like a boss.
Here is a link to the regime itself.
This is hardcore stuff.
Here is what we had to do on the first day…
MONDAY
Warm up:15 jackknives/3 burpees
1-2min real rest between rounds
Complete 3 rounds
The Concept:
5 pull ups, 10 push-ups, 20 body weight squats CONTINUOUSLY, NON-STOP for 20 mins. Record the number of rounds completed.
The goal is 20 rounds in under 15 mins.
7.6.5 Series Barbell Military Press
* Utilize 60-70% your Max
7 reps, 7 secs active rest (arms locked out controlling the weight above your head, abs engaged, hips beneath the shoulders, head forward – POSTURE, POSTURE, POSTURE!)
6 Reps, 6 secs active rest
5 Reps, 5 secs active rest
= Round 1
1-2min real rest between sets.
3 sets.
Can I just say LOL at this point.
I did do bits of this, but had absolutely no energy whatsoever. A week into the diet though, i did start feeling some noticeable changes around the waistline.
Luckily the tracksuit i ordered was a medium. Still fits!
So as the days passed i managed to do some of the exercises. I struggled a lot with basic pull-ups and sit-ups. Burpees and the like are of the same ilk, but the weights were a problem.
I was still losing weight though, the diet and the cardio were proving to be a great combo. Who would have thought that regular exercise and a reduction in fatty foods would result in weight loss. Like seriously, they should publish this advice.
By the end of week three, and the end of the challenge, i had lost a full stone and kept up with the diet and cardio exercises. The gym sessions were one step too far… various injuries and general tiredness had put pay to that. I had managed to turn ‘some’ of that fat into muscle though, i was pleased with that.
If you have the dedication for this regime, you will get the desired results. It’s not easy, and the diet will initially drain you of any get-up-and-go, but stick with it… and you too could end up looking like… THIS!
There is SOME muscle there. Honest! i love the camera-whorishness of this shot. I feel like Jodie Marsh (with less muscles but a better nose).
Conan The Barbarian is out on Blu-ray and DVD Double Play, DVD and Download to Own on December 12, courtesy of Lions Gate Home Entertainment.
By: Cassam Looch
