I’m just back from my induction at the gym. Like any gym induction, you get shown around the equipment, are asked a few awkward questions by the instructor in an attempt to spark a conversation, and perform a few reps on some very low weights as to not kill yourself.

He did ask why I was joining the gym, to which I replied with the truth:

1. Get fit. Yeah, lame answer that everyone gives. He seemed particularly disinterested.

2. To improve strength and conditioning as I attempt to join a basketball team. His interest had raised slightly. It was fairly obvious that he didn’t see me as a basketball player, which is understandable. I’m a floppy fringed white guy with a beard and trendy-nerd glasses. He asked what position I played, I said point guard, he looked confused.

3. To increase my vertical jump and dunk. I think he did a laugh in his mouth.

After the induction I warmed myself up on the treadmill, and worked onto the weights. My aim was to establish the weights and reps I’d need for each exercise. I didn’t have anything to write on, so it’s all in my head. Tonight I hope to write up my fitness regime and post it online. The exercises will stay the same, but the weights and reps will change quite drastically as I figure out exactly where I’m at.

Two more gym sessions before Thursdays basketball training.

Oh, and tomorrow I’ll try and record my first, possibly embarrassing, vertical jump measurement.

This is a very brief first post for my new blog. As some of you may know, I started to play a lot of basketball last year. It was only 1-on-1 stuff with my younger brother Tom, but I was getting in as much ball time as my work hours and court availability would allow.

This year, I intend to play more, play harder, get better and join a team. And, as the blog title suggests, I intend to dunk.

Being 5’10” I’m already pretty short stacked when it comes to overcoming my challenge. Not to mention that my fitness is pretty cack, and my diet is average at best.

My journey to improve starts now. I’ve managed to get a gym induction for next Monday 24th, and I’m having my first training session with a community team next Wednesday 26th or Thursday 27th.

Tom will be joining me on my quest to dunk and join a team this year, so you’ll likely get a fair bit of info about his progress, and how I’m breaking his ankles with crossovers every practice.

I’ll post up my fitness regime plans and current vertical jump measurement in the near future.

I’ll use this simple measurement to track my progress. I’m guessing I’m going to need at least a 38” vert to dunk, but that’s using crap brain maths.

Anyhow, more to follow.

Here goes.