S. Sean Suvanadesa 39M

It should be no surprise that after the worldwide advent of Global Fast Fit a year and a half ago that Kenyans have no less than dominated. They’ve ranked highest in multiple metrics, which would include but most certainly aren’t limited to adoption, participation in events, fastest time in multiple categories, and much much more.     Kenyans are expected to hold the majority of Global Fast Fit records. Just based off the infographic above considering that out of the 29 countries, and 6,335 participants worldwide, Kenyans hold a staggering 46.2% of participation. Indonesia comes in 2nd with 26.2% and India is 3rd with 18.3%. Let’s look at the top three performers of the Global Fast Fit Standard routine. We’ve divided the categories to see the top three overall, top women, top men above 50, and top women above 50:     The standard routine is much more accessible in that it only requires half the effort and exertion than that of the pro routine, but you can see that Kenyans under 50 have taken every spot for top three. What about the pro routine?     We can observe less parity in international distribution for the pro routine, but Kenyans still have excellent overall representation, especially when we consider increasing the list sizes to top ten or top fifteen. But why do Kenyans have so much stake when it comes to athletic events? We had mentioned their dominance in long-distance running competitions in a previous post, but we’re seeing the same level of intensity toward Global Fast Fit. Performers in any of the Global Fast Fit routines can attest that the running aspect of it is the most considerable factor in achieving a better score. Going too fast on the bodyweight exercises (pushups, plank leg lifts, bodyweight squats) lead to a high percentage risk of disqualification for poor form. This would make the Global Fast Fit routines more favorable for athletes that are strong runners. A study by Randall L. Wilber and Yannis P. Pitsiladis asked the same thing when it came to the naturally gifted long-distance running of Kenyan (and Ethiopian) athletes. They listed eight factors as markers for high athletic achievement.   Genetic Predisposition East African genetics allow for higher performance, particularly when it comes to long-distance running. High Maximal Oxygen Intake through Early Age Conditioning Environmental factors in East Africa condition children to accustom themselves to movement over longer distances through walking or running. This increases their maximal oxygen intake at an early age which lends into adulthood. Higher Hematocrit and Hemoglobin This indicates the East African body’s ability to more efficiently carry and distribute oxygen throughout the body. Body Type and Composition as well as Lower Limb Structure The typical East African athletic build tends to be composed of a thinner frame with longer legs. This allows for the body to expend less energy while running and also carry less mass while moving. Favorable Skeletal-Muscle-Fiber Composition East African muscle fiber compositions tend to be that of slow-twitch fibers which are characterized with having higher oxidative enzymes. This is integral to having an increased aerobic exercise capacity. Diet A lack of processed foods, starches in every meal, balanced portions, and fresh fruit consumption lend to a diet favorable for runners. Altitude Some East Africans live and train at a higher altitude. This allows them to be more accustomed to areas where oxygen levels are lower. The body will adapt to areas with lower oxygen by increasing red blood cell production leading to more efficient oxygen distribution and usage. Motivational Factors toward Economic Success For some, achieving athletic success at the highest level is not only a great honor, but a gateway to a much better standard of living. Being able to compete athletically at an international level allows for greater recognition, and all the rewards that come with it.   Kenyans continue to dominate in Global Fast Fit, and we’re sure they’ll do so for the foreseeable future. Due to their resounding success, we grow more and more intrigued in the utility of the standard, pro, and shuttle routines as a universal fitness benchmark. With all of the aforementioned markers being potential contributors to Kenyan athletic success, and the Global Fast Fit routine’s capability of measuring overall fitness, we strongly believe the combination of the two is in order. By the end of 2025, we believe we will eventually be able to utilize the Global Fast Fit routines to find the fittest Kenyan living within Kenya.

The last post was about Winsim GFF Club, what it represented in Nakuru County, and how it emanated and propagated a winning culture and mentality into its community. We also introduced Simon “Kasisi” Ndung’u Mucheru, a no-nonsense man of purpose who has rehabilitated from ORIF (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) surgery after a harrowing encounter with a raging bull. If you’ve missed it then be sure to give it a read as both Winsim and Kasisi are pillars of the Nakuru community. Also mentioned in that post is the importance of how Global Fast Fit develops and improves communities starting at a grassroots level. The complexities and nuances of the average day to day life can understandably make it easy to overlook the necessities of maintaining good health. However, being active and healthy (better yet, ‘actively healthy’) to avoid lifestyle disease is a message we intend to hammer home. True understanding of the most minute of personal health issues need to come from the local level, and we can’t go global unless we start local first.   With that being said, as most problems tend to start small, so do most solutions. Winsim GFF Club, with Kasisi heading it is a fantastic start at improving Nakuru County, but how can it be scaled? That’s where the Nomads come in. The GFF Nomads are a group of young Kenyan fitness coaches that have a passion for being actively healthy, and are taking that passion to the other gyms in Nakuru. What began as a beacon and haven for good health at Winsim, is now a journey and adventure with the Nomads. But who exactly are these Nomads, and why are they the ones to bring active health to Nakuru?   Leading the Nomads is Meshack “Metro” Simiyu, a table tennis player who competes at a national level. Being able to compete at such a high level in any physical activity is indicative of the amount of time and work that comes with perfecting a craft. Metro knows this intimately. He understands the stakes, and that’s why he heads this young group in their quest to empower the community of Nakuru. You can see him sitting second from the right in the front row, wearing the white GFF Kenya t-shirt (get in touch to find out where you can get yours). Simon “Kasisi” Ndung’u Mucheru, (who you can see furthest to the left in the red GFF t-shirt) you should already be familiar with. He owns and heads the Winsim GFF Club and has taken his ideals of fitness with a purpose out on a road tour with the Nomads. Kasisi is a practical man of faith. The body is a temple, and exercise is a sacrament. His faith was tested when a raging bull’s act of aggression shattered his hip, but with time and conviction he has overcome what for some would be impossible odds. Kasisi is now a Nomad and is a walking display of resilient faith. Moving toward the right of Kasisi in the back row wearing the dark gray shirt is none other than Kelvin “Rookie” Kairu. His nickname must be an inside joke because he certainly isn’t a rookie in the Global Fast Fit world. Rookie was one of the original members to hold the GFF Men’s World Record back when the pro routine was the standard variation. He’s been around since the early days of Global Fast Fit, and as a GFF Ambassador, has contributed to many of the community projects since their inception. So make no mistake, Rookie is anything but…well, a rookie. In front of Rookie in the red t-shirt is a man of few words. John “Johnny” Nderitu doesn’t need to say much. Johnny is an accomplished athlete which is easily indicated by his love for swimming, and ridiculously fast Global Fast Fit standard routine time (1:07?!). He’s a common sight on the various treks and hikes that the Kenyan teams take, as Johnny also enjoys a good adventure. His stoic nature adds to the team’s aura and mystique; while Johnny is a man of few words, his actions do plenty of talking. Behind Metro, to the right in the back row is Simon “Instructor” Muchiri. Instructor is aptly named due to his belief in exercise being the solution for all of life’s problems. He is also one of the masterminds towards Nomad PR, making sure that gyms know of their presence, and eventually, their arrival. Instructor covers the team’s strategic decisions and ensures only smooth operations for the constant travel of this group of trainers. Furthest right is another former GFF Men’s World Champion, Clinton “CK” Kavai. CK held the record only until recently, but his 1:03 run of the GFF standard routine will stand the test of time. One of the purest athletes of the group, CK exhibits some of the most fluid form and running movement which he has come to be known for. He’s got incredible upside when it comes to the world of athletics and if you’re following the Nomads, a reason to watch would just to see CK meet his potential. There’s one more Nomad from the original group that isn’t being shown in the above photo…   …so he gets a feature photo all to himself! Andrew “Zugu” Muchiri is the one documenting the story of the Nomads. Every still and moving media of the Nomads is coming from Zugu. One could argue that Zugu’s work might just be one of the most important coming out of the entire team. Great stories need telling, and that’s precisely what is being done. Every drop of sweat, every exerted effort, is being captured and shown to any who would follow the prodigious Nomads in their journey. Also don’t sleep on Zugu as an athlete, especially when he has a GFF Standard score of 1:28! So these seven fitness devotees make up the nucleus of the GFF Nomads. And still, you may wonder, what makes the Nomads so special? Surely, trainers that are brought up in the world of health and fitness are expected to dedicate themselves to keeping people in shape? This brings us back to the core message of Global Fast Fit. Getting in shape, becoming healthier, building communities is a choice. While you are not obligated to do so, doing these things makes the world a better place. Each and every one of the Nomads have made this choice. Take their background/career-paths as testament: Metro: English and Literature Kasisi: Water Technician Rookie: Former Rugby Player Johnny: Automotive Engineer Instructor: Procurement and Logistics Officer CK: Electrical and Electronics Engineering Zugu: Business Management   The Nomads have chosen to create a better life for everyone around them. It doesn’t take a formal education in kinesiology, physical therapy, exercise science, etc. to encourage and influence others to be better. It might need a bit of sweat, probably a lot of time, maybe a few intangibles to overcome, but it starts with a choice. The Nomads and Global Fast Fit are proud to help you make that choice.   First Nakuru, then Kenya, then the World