As some may or may not know Johnny Fuller, one of England’s best ever bodybuilders, passed away this year.

He was a good friend and someone who I used to train with many years ago. He helped me get ready for the UK finals in 1989 where I placed 3rd. He was an incredible trainer more notably whose intensity I felt first hand and he has been one of the people I most respected.

I recalled training legs with him on one session in which he sat me on my backside. The reason being we were doing giant set circuits at a gym when he lived in Swindon.

Giant sets are where you go from one exercise to the other with out stopping. You pick one muscle group - say legs - and pick 8-10 Exercises that do that particular group. You then go from one to the other in slow even pace. Non stop!! Only resting at the end of the circuit, and I clearly remember one of those exercises was 5 plate (500lbs) squats.

It was the first time I had to sit down and watch my training partner (Johnny) carry on the training session like it was a day in the office, with out me. It was humbling to say the least.

Here are some photos of the 1989 UK finals - Vern placing 3rd with support crew Johnny Fuller and Lorne Mccalla.

Now I know the difference between a good bodybuilder, and a professional bodybuilder. A lesson I will never forget.

I was pleased to be asked by Derek Peoples to speak at his funeral. I knew Johnny only from a body building perspective, and recollected some other memorable moments.

View the Johnny Fuller photo gallery