Brendan McBirnie
Bio
My love for fitness and sport started at a young age and by the age of nine I was playing football, tennis, cricket and doing cross-country. In secondary school I fell in love with rugby and never looked back. With rugby being such a physically demanding sport that requires speed, strength and power, I started devoting some time to strength training until I was attending the gym most days with like-minded rugby players.
My academic focus at school was science and biology, particularly relating to the human body and how it functions. When it came to selecting a university degree I naturally chose B.Sc Sport Science, where I majored in human physiology and biochemistry.
What Do I Do?
After completing my honours in Sport Science I partnered with my old athletics coach and we built a small private gym with the main aim of providing sportsmen and women with structured training plans or rehab programs.
While all accommodated for a range of different sports conditioning, my particular interest was rugby conditioning. Rugby is such a unique sport requiring size, speed and agility. It encompasses all training methods and also requires a good understanding of periodisation, which was another interest of mine. Understanding periodisation and how the body responds to stress formed the basis of our training philosophy at the gym.
I now don’t play rugby anymore, but I am still an armchair coach. My training has shifted to focus mainly on trail running and regular strength training to maintain my fitness.
Qualifications
- B.Sc (Hons) Sport Science, Sports and Exercise – University of Johannesburg
- CSCS – International Sports Sciences Association College of Exercise Science
- Certification in Periodization – Training for Sport
- Rugby Coaching Level 2 – World Rugby
Author Blogs
-
Energy Boosting Morning Workout
If you're an early bird you might be pleased to find out that there are lots of benefits to exercising in the morning. Learn more, here. -
How Strength Training Improves Your Jump Height
Do you want to jump higher? Find out how you can increase your jump height in the gym with these exercises. -
How to Perform an Egyptian Lateral Raise
The dumbbell lateral raise is a staple exercise in many routines, but have you tried the Egyptian lateral raise yet? Learn how in our guide. -
The Best Home Gym Cardio Exercises
You might think you need to get on a treadmill or exercise bike to burn calories, but you can get the benefits of cardio in a small area. -
Gareth Sapstead's Strength Circuit
If you want to get both a resistance and a cardio workout in a limited amount of time, you need to try this strength circuit. -
Russian Kettlebell Swing vs American Kettlebell Swing
There are many versions of a kettlebell swing but the most common are Russian and American. Find out the difference in our guide. -
Everything You Need to Know About Weak Point Training
Whether you want to compete in bodybuilding, or just want to look more proportional, you need to implement weak point training. -
Leg Extensions vs Leg Curls
The leg extension and leg curl are two popular lower body exercises. Learn how to do them in our handy guide. -
The Uphill Battle - Joe Schofield's Three Peaks Charity Walk
What motivates a man to perform the Three Peaks Challenge with a 62.5kg weight on his back? We Spoke to Joe Schofield to find out. -
Fixed Weight Barbell Workout
Want to spend more time exercising and less time setting up your gym equipment? Check our our fixed weight barbell workout. -
20 Kettlebell Swing Variations to Mix Up Your Workout
The kettlebell swing is a fantastic exercise with lots of benefits. Vary up your training with these kettlebell exercise variations. -
How to Replace a Commercial Gym at Home
Would you like to train at home but are worried about missing the gym machines? Try out these alternatives.
