IT TOOK AN INVESTMENT BANK INTERN'S DEATH FOR BANKS TO REALISE THEY WERE WORKING THEIR STAFF TO DEATH

(Culled from The Wall Street Executive)

 

It only took an investment banking intern’s death for banks to realize that they are working interns to death.

 

Credit Suisse yesterday became the latest investment bank to tell its interns and junior employees to take more time out of the office, after increased worries that young staff are pushing themselves dangerously hard. The giant Swiss bank has told junior staff they should try not to come into work on Saturday, in an effort to give them some time off.

 

The wave of new guidelines sweeping the industry marks a sharp change of practice for the sector where young employees expect to work long hours and take few days off.

 

 Competition typically begins with internships where students work all hours over their summer breaks in a bid to impress bosses and get taken on as full time staff. There is no let up after that stage as analysts and associates – typically the bottom rungs of the career ladder – again have to get ahead by working harder than colleagues. The new staff also want to impress clients both to stop them leaving for rival banks and to make sure they get to work on the biggest deals.

 

 

To reduce some of the pressure of this constant race between young staff, some of the biggest names in the City and on Wall Street have introduced new guidelines.

 

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has told interns to take at least four weekend days off each month. Analysts and associates are also being required to use up their full holiday allowances each year.

 

Goldman Sachs’ boss Lloyd Blankfein has told junior staff to take more time off.

 

Deutsche Bank is also thought to be working on a similar plan.

 

JP Morgan is hiring more interns and junior staff to spread the workload further, an idea also understood to be under consideration at Barclays’ investment banking arm.- See more at:

 

 

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CAUGHT UNDER A BARBELL? DO THE ROLL OF SHAME

 

Todays post is motivated by something which happened to me yesterday evening.

 

 

I had taken an 8-month break from lifting free weights; it's something I do from time to time in order to let my muscles rest while focusing on bodyweight exercises to build muscle density and definition.  I normally experience an increase in strength when I return to lifting weights after such a break.

 

Now I was back in the gym and ready to rock, expecting my muscles to give their best after a well earned holiday. I commenced the day's training with  a 10 minute spin on the Stairmaster, after which I dragged my exhausted self to the weight bench to crank out some bench presses.

 

 

I normally train in reps of 10 with very little rest periods between in order to improve muscle endurance.  I started out with 70kg,  before moving up to 80 kg, and 90kg afterwards. Feeling very optimistic  about the benefits of my rest break, I decided to up the ante and lift 120kg. WRONG IDEA!!! I had lifted the weight off the rack when I felt the fibers within my shoulders and triceps quiver with fatigue as they strained to lift the weight to no avail.

 

 

 

Many an experienced bodybuilder has undergone this experience at least once, unless they never bench beyond their comfort zone. It is sometimes advised to avoid training to failure; although this is a safe method, it usually leads to the builder training at lower intensity and making slower gains.

 

In this situation, most inexperienced builders either yell for help, thereby exhausting their oxygen supply; others risk serious injury to themselves and others by trying to tilt the bar and throw off the weight. As attractive as these options may seem, the best thing to do is keep calm and assess your environment before you act.  This prevents you from causing grievous harm to others around.

 

The method I adopted was the "Roll of Shame". The roll of shame is when you admit a rep isn’t going to happen, lower the bar to your chest and roll it to your waist. Then you sit up, lift the bar and set it on the floor. It can be painful and it’s definitely embarrassing in a crowded gym, but it can also stop you doing yourself serious damage. 

 

I once read that every bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast has an inner demon that relentlessly drives the person to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. Although this demon can be the bodybuilders greatest friend and mightiest ally, it could also be his worst enemy, as it compels him to take risks which could lead to debilitating injury. Know yourself, and observe whenever your muscles feel exhausted, this knowledge will help you forestall unnecesary injury and work towards consistent gains.

 

 

 

 



STAYING RIPPED AT THE OFFICE

From Flab ...to Fab

Getting ripped for the working person is hard, period. It's doubly difficult for a person who has little control over their diet, schedule or equipment. 

 

So, how do you maintain that ripped body you've worked so hard to develop if you are stressed, chained to your desk, and can only access junk snacks? I chewed this question over, and I gathered some tips for keeping those muscles hard and ripped whilst giving your best at work.

 

• Get yourself a mini-fridge or cooler where you can stock healthy food and drinks.

• Eat a hearty breakfast, and Prepare yourself a healthy snack and lunch which you will take to the office. Alternatively, seek out a service which can supply healthy meals to your office.
 
• Whenever you go to the bathroom, try to crank out as many jumping jacks or squats as you can reasonably perform without sweating too much. In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease and weight gain, these exercises will improve blood circulation and lower body strength.
 
• Long term sitting is energy draining!! So, take a 10 to 15 minute power walk around your office if possible. You could use the opportunity to get to chat with your fellow employees, thereby providing you with the added benefit of being sociable.

MIND + MUSCLE = MASTERPIECE

A new year has commenced, and resolutions have been made, including weight loss resolutions. This post is for those who desire to live their best life in 2014; those who will not be limited from achieving their goals by discomfort or inconvenience, those who are willing to face the mountain, and who will not give up trying until they attain victory. 

 

Beneath your skin lie the plans for your fastest, strongest, most powerful body. To build your strongest possible body, you have to understand your body (Note: I'm not talking about the thinnest body- thin does not translate to health!!!). Let the gym be the lab where you experiment and learn what works for you.

Smile and Be Sexy!!!

If you are to be successful, just follow these rules when you're in the gym. 

1. Have a Workout planned for each session: As the saying goes 'He who fails to plan, plans to fail". Keep a notebook and make sure you have your workout for the day written on that notebook before you venture into the gym. Some phone apps may serve this purpose, but to my mind nothing beats pencil and paper!

 

2. Set a minimum time limit: We all have that day, when you just don't feel like training. On such a day, make a commitment to spend a minimum time in the gym carrying out meaningful work. You should spend at least 15 minutes.

3. Set a maximum time limit to your workout:  Many people come into the gym all pumped up and ready to work - until they meet a friend, or that hot prospect. Protect yourself from distraction by setting a definite time limit for your workout. As a general rule I set a 45-60 minute limit