Interview with Giovanni Cantone, Friday 15^th, 8:00pm, at the Waterfront Fitness Centre.

On the evening of Friday 15^th December, immediately after his workout,I took the opportunity to interview Giovanni Cantone, an established member of the Waterfront Fitness Centre.

So, Giovanni thanks for your time, so how did the workout go?

Please, call me Gio.

Yeah, ok. So the workout?

Yeah, not bad considering I've just recently finished dieting after the photos you took of me last week. I've just started to increase my carbs and cut down on my cardio, so overall not a bad workout.

Were you pleased with your condition at last weeks photo shoot?

After you asked me to appear on the website I wanted to be in good condition and although I only had 5ish weeks to diet down, I think I achieved the desired results.

Yeah, you still looking good, you should be proud. So, let's go back to basics. Can you tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do as a profession, how long you been training, what's your basic training and nutritional regime etc.

Yes, I am proud, thank you.

So, wow, where do I start? Well, I'm married and have 2 small boys. I work for Jaguar and Landrover in their IT department as the Deskside Support Manager. I've been training on off now for nearly 18 years, although I would say the first 8 years I didn’t have a real knowledge of what I should have be doing. The past 10 years is where I've made my greatest progress and the Waterfront Fitness Centre is where I've trained ever since it first opened approx 10 years ago. I train 3 days a week, Mon, Wed and Fri training each body part once every 9 days. So in effect whatever body part I train on Monday, won't be trained again till the Wed. The Wednesday till Friday and the Friday workout wont be repeated until the following Monday, hence 9 days. As for nutrition, fairly basic, high protein, moderate carbs and low fat.

Thanks Gio. So you've been at the Waterfront ever since it opened?

Yeah, of course it wasn't called the WaterFront when it first opened, it was known as the Lakeside gym.

Have you ever been tempted to train at any other gym?

No, not really. Naturally, besides the gym equipment, it's important to have a good atmosphere and the WaterFront has always had them both. It doesn't matter what your personal goals are and what shape you are in, members never feel intimidated and anyway, gym instructors and members are always at hand to help and advise as and when required.

And what do you think of all the new equipment that’s recently arrived?

Ummm, you get used to a certain piece of equipment and are always reluctant to change, especially when you get results from that piece of equipment. However, with the new equipment I find it allows you to vary the angle you work the muscle, which is always good and of course, it’s a lot smoother and more ergonomic. So overall, I'm very impressed. There is the right mix of free weights and machines to meet anyone's requirements.

So you’ve training for 18 years, how did it start and how do you keep yourself motivated?

I use to play a lot of football in my teens. My fitness and strength training just consisted of football training twice a week – I never did any gym work. Then when I was about 20, I ripped my calf muscle, which meant plenty of rest and physiotherapy. It was while I was recuperating that I first stepped into a gym to try and gain some strength back into my legs. Once I experienced the 'pump' from working out and then slowly noticing my muscles beginning to harden and grow I was hooked. And let's face it, how many of us have never aspired to have a perfect physique…..

And as for keeping myself motivated, well I suppose it’s a number of things, the euphoria of completing a tough workout, feeling fit, looking good and also knowing what I could look like if I didn’t train! Also of course, the recognition and adulation I get from people from across the spectrum of life especially when they discover I'm 40 years old.