Q: You started training at Wright Training in February 2019. What motivated you to start training?
A: I had that Jackson mentality that everyone has where I played mountain sports to stay active and never had to work out in a gym. I never picked up a weight and my idea of a home workout would be like 50x pushups or 50x situps. My bodyweight had gotten up to 205 lbs. My partner and friends were going to Wright Training and talked so highly about you guys and I saw a flyer for Climb Fitness. So I signed up and I’ll never forget the first warmup: 10 to 1 pushups, squats, situps and it totally kicked my butt. Just the warmup! That was great and motivating and really even more of an eye opener than my current bodyweight at the time. It was great and the Wright Training coaches helped me get better and made me feel good about myself.
Q: You ended up moving to Vancouver in September 2019 but have continued to train with us twice per week religiously via Zoom when that became an option. What made you want to stay with Wright Training this whole time instead of going to a local gym?
A: When I first moved, Zoom was not an option and I did not feel comfortable going to a cross-fit gym or any other gym really. I lost a lot of strength and muscle mass that I had gained at Wright Training in just a few months. Around January 2020, I started having a Wright Training coach send me some workouts and I began doing some remote programming. Then, like everyone else, I started Zooming in when COVID started and I haven’t stopped. For me, it’s about trusting the coaches and I know the Wright Training model works for me. When I show up, I know I’ll get my butt kicked and that’s what I want! I know I am going to feel it the next day and that is value to me. I don’t like going to a standard gym because I know I won’t push myself as much and won’t get as good of a workout in.
Q: How has working out on Zoom kept you motivated? Have you noticed an increase in strength/performance, even with limited equipment and space?
A: The class energy and knowing I get to work out with the coaches at the gym. Occasionally, seeing some old good friends or familiar faces in the gym and having a coach that I can connect with. Vancouver has also been nonstop in COVID it feels like. So a lot of the gyms might not be open, I’m not sure. I’ve worked out at home for so long now that if/when I buy a house, having my own home gym with barbells and all would be a high priority for me and I just love it.
I am definitely stronger than when I started Zooming. With limited equipment, I might just do extra reps or sets. I would say I put on leaner muscle as well since I tend to add more endurance to my workouts since I do not have access to as much heavy weights as in the gym. The point is, you get out what you put in.
Q: What are your summer and winter mountain activities?
A: Rock climbing, trail running, and skiing. I started trail running at the same time I started at the gym because I didn’t like the way I looked. Then it turned into staying at the gym to do what I want to do outside better and trail running stayed more of a vanity thing to stay slim.
Thanks for always crushing it on Zoom with us, Coleman!