Interview with a Strength Trainer: Tips on a Mindset Shift for Men
Remember working out at the gym? I have a distinct memory of a huge sign as I walked into a Planet Fitness gym with a warning not to grunt. Logically, I can understand the concept but it seems almost impossible. As a woman, even I let out the occasional grunt as I lay down weights. I suppose what they want to do is curb the excessive show of heaving and hawing like a farm animal being put to work in the fields outside. I get it.
In honor of Father’s Day I reached out to a friend that knows way more about grunting and strength training than I ever will. His name is Andrew Zoellner, he’s a professional functional trainer and all around awesome dad. Andrew teaches men and women how to improve mobility and strength using creative resources like sandbags, steel maces and kettle bells for workouts. Watching his dedication year after year makes me wonder about how in the world he stays so consistent. My curiosity got the best of me and I gave him a ring to answer my questions. Andrew was kind enough to provide the A’s to my Q’s in this interview.
The Q&A
Q: What’s the main obstacle for guys when it comes to strength training? :
A: Our ego
Most guys have either played a sport in the past or have spent time in the gym when they were younger. When they return to the gym, their ego gets in the way and they begin to lift weights that their body is not prepared for. This sets them up for injury. Once that injury happens it begins a snowball effect of poor eating. Now you’re not moving very much and you’re nursing an injury. Once they heal, they return to the gym and start that cycle all over again. In their mind they’re reliving where their body used to be able to do. Putting the ego to the side, accepting your limitations and building a movement foundation from where you are at today is really important. Acknowledge what stage of life you’re in.
Q: What does that mean “stage of life”?
A: It means don’t have a victim mentality
Don’t blame your circumstances for your lack of health. Admit things like “yes, I’m not healthy” “I’m not doing as much as I could” “I am not prioritizing things properly” “ I eat trash” “I don’t exercise as I should”.
Don’t use excuses such as, “Oh, I’m so busy” Take ownership of where you are, then you can come up with a game plan. That can’t happen though until you acknowledge the fact that you need one. Now, you can put things into place and move forward and out of that rut. Bring awareness.
Q: What’s the next step?
A: Identify your areas of weakness.
Take steps to move to where you want to be. For example : increase activity level, cutting out garbage like processed foods and lots of sugars and excessive carbohydrates. Do things one step at a time and learn to prioritize. Also, practice patience. Often times we (men) discover a workout and jump into it full steam ahead and then we can’t sustain change because we try to change too many things at once.
Q:What’s one final piece of advice?
A: Establish Long Term Goals
What we want to do is approach wellness from a lifestyle perspective instead of short term gratification. We focus on a six to four week cycle as opposed to the lifetime commitment. Embracing change and our wellness as a long term commitment takes patience.
