Old-School Iron

I think I first started training in 1990, about at the same time I started in the Martial Arts.

Initially, my training was pretty much all about getting a bit stronger to handle bigger opponents more easily. It was a circuit-training kind of program that I got at Tapiola Gym, which no longer exists as such. They’ve changed their concept, and the same man now owns and operates Dana Fitness in Leppävaara, Espoo.

Anyway, I started keeping training notes in ‘93, and so I have a whole bunch of notebooks at this point… Of course, there have been years even when I didn’t train, one such year being the one I spent in the army. Kris and I got our first Real gym memberships at Gold’s Gym, which in those days was situated in Matinkylä (also in Espoo). The building still exists, and there’s even a “gym” and a badmington hall there. I’m sorry to say that Gold’s longer exists in Finland…

A year or so later, Gold’s moved to Helsinki and we were left with another gym, called Workout Gym. Which was pretty nice as well, since nothing really changed. Most of the machines were the same, and there was still enough weights around for two puny teenagers. Although, I have to say, our training really bordered on the insane, as I’m sure Kris will attest to happily.
We had ordered training booklets from Health For Life, a company we were introduced to via Black Belt Magazine. Initially we just ordered their Legendary Abs program, then slowly the rest of their publications. We followed the advice religiously, and did make some huge (insane even) gains in strength. We were doing Modified rows (basically seated rows, but with your feet up to a pad, so that you’re lying on the “seat”. Great exercise…) with 120 kgs (264 lbs) at a bodyweight of 68 kgs (150 lbs)! We actually had to press our weight onto the other’s chest while repping, otherwise it would have been impossible to maintain position throughout.

Skip forward a few years. I went to work for Gold’s Gym in Helsinki. I was in heaven training-wise, since not only could I now train for free, but I was also getting a salary just for being behind the counter and selling gym memberships, supplements and clothing. There was also the staff-discount for products that made it even better. And I was getting to know all the big guys too. Needless to say I gained some muscle during this period.
This was also the period when Kris was in China and Tibet, so I was training solo.

Then the owners of Gold’s told me they were going to start a new gym with a whole new concept (Gold’s in Finland had the reputation of being only for the strong, the meek have no place there and so on) to allow for aerobics and such too. Naturally, I agreed to continue working for them at this new gym too.
It was to be called Wellness, and the first ever Wellness opened at Iso Omena mall (”Big Apple”). The gym/fitness center bloomed and opened several other centers as well all over the country. The whole chain was then bought and continued with by Sats, a Scandinavian operated chain of fitness centers.

During this time I was making huge gains sizewise. I’m thinking it may have been due to my job, which entailed making fitness programs for people, so basically I was repping throughout the day with very light weights. As well as training hard on the side. (Or maybe the gains were due to fact there were a lot of women training there and my test levels soared, I don’t know. )

Then, I was informed that a new gym was going to be set up, called Mayor’s (mayor from the spanish, not english). This was a more hardcore place, and I was offered a job there. So, naturally, I went… I was there for about a year and a half, until the owner shafted me and a friend of mine, and refused to pay money he owed us. There was going to be all kinds of hell for him to pay, but then my father’s death sort of took the wind out from that sail.

So, my current job is at a furniture store called Juvi. They make whole wood furniture, mostly of alder, using traditional models. My work is to move those around, selling, putting on wax for color models (most of what we sell is wholly untreated) and I also make home deliveries. I think it’s sorta fun, too. Never a day like the other, which is what I like.

Lately, though, my training has been off and on really, due to the fact I no longer work at a gym. At least not for the time being. I do plan to go back to a more fitness-oriented job, but when is another question. Of course, also what gym needs employees also might influence the transition. It’s not like any palce with a bar will do. I have standards, darn it, too…

I have been thinking that I would get a season card at one of the smaller gyms close by, because my current program would call for training four to six times a week. Sure, training at home would be possible, since I do have a pair of dumbells (up to 20kg/44lbs) each and four rubber bands that give 0-20kgs (/0-44 lbs) resistance each. But still… quite frankly, I want to hear heavy music in the background as I train, loud. And since Emma (my fiancée) doesn’t really ‘enjoy’ that particular genre of music (she trains to be a classical singer) I can’t very well have any music while training. Besides, doing one-handed barbell military presses ain’t possible with a dumbell or rubber bands.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 27th, 2005 at 11:59 am and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.