From powerlifting to aerobics, it is time we discuss the importance of physical exercise and its everlasting benefits. From having a healthy heart and great cardio to simply being able to hit your workout goals, we spoke with two workout professionals about what they believe all men should know about their physical health and the important role that fitness practices play in supporting men’s physical health, mental well-being, long-term mobility, and the longevity of their lives.
For Coach Joseph Leary, a personal trainer at Ypsilanti’s YMCA and Mix Fitness, working out extends beyond lifting heavy things. As he says, the key is performing your exercises with intentionality. Whether you are lifting or following a calorie-deficit diet to lose weight, he says your mindset plays a role in your fitness success, and you should be intentional about the progress you want without letting your ego take the forefront.
“Do not get in your head about working out because I see so many men, who have never touched a weight before, grab the heaviest weight possible.” Leary says, “Don’t let the ego win. Your ego is going to get in the way of your progress, and it is hard, but important to not let the ego win at the gym.”
As a personal trainer, Leary says he encourages blending different training styles, such as Pilates or pelvic health work, which he says improves quality of life and can help stave off physical challenges that often affect men in their 40s and 50s.
“From just observing, I think some men do not realize the importance of blending different styles of training. You will see the squat, bench and deadlift, and those are great. But things like Pilates tend to be things that we think of as more female-oriented,” Leary said. “But the thing with some of those other modalities is pelvic health. For men, it affects not only our pelvic floor, but it affects your erections, urinary tract, and prostate health. I work in oncology, and I see many men with prostate cancer. That pelvic floor health is huge, and impacts your hormones. We (men) go through hormonal changes in our 40s and 50s. So being able to stay active will also help your hormonal regulation.”
Leary says one toxic trait most men have is the “no pain, no gain” mindset, an old-school training adage that says struggles are necessary for success. Leary notes that “Pain is a signal for you to back off.”
Rob Moesta, a certified personal trainer, former competitive bodybuilder, and 2008 Central States bodybuilding champion, backs Leary’s sentiment, saying that ignoring pain is an incredibly detrimental mindset.
Sometimes men ignore the physical pain that they’re having. I think the mistake that people make is pushing themselves through those points.” Moesta says, “But you know, men are men, and they like to avoid the doctor and not worry about things until it’s too late. My advice is that if you’re having pain during an exercise, it could be a form issue or a body issue, but it is good to get it just checked out.”
Leary and Moesta also highlighted the importance of dietary intake and how it correlates to workout progress.
“Eating healthy is what separates the people from making a lot of progress versus not much (success),” Moesta said. “The ones who focus on the diet are the ones that get the benefits. About 50% of people want dietary advice. (Working out) is still helpful, but not half as much as if you’re on a diet too.”
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Leary recommends a balanced, flexible diet with carbohydrates, fats, and protein, including plants and a variety of colorful foods. He also suggests choosing protein sources like meat, beans, or tofu, and carbs such as potatoes and bread, ultimately suggesting tailoring your calorie intake to your goals for the best success. He also says it is okay to have that slice of pizza, noting moderation is key.
You don’t have to be in the gym five days a week. Integrate movement, lifting, and doing things into your life in a way that matters to you and that you find enjoyable,” Leary said. “Because if you don’t like it, what’s the point? You only get one life, so live it.”
Moesta echoed this sentiment: workout goals are never universal, and everyone should incorporate some form of fitness into their life without measuring themselves by others’ standards.
“Everybody is different, and there is a big difference between their endurance and strength, but in general, I think instead of measuring yourself by running a mile, it’s how fast you could walk on a treadmill and whether you’d be out of breath in that situation.” Moesta says, “Take care of yourself now while you have the chance and the time, so you can enjoy the things that people like to enjoy as they get older,” Moesta said. “Keep moving and stay healthy.
Antonio Cooper is a freelance journalist from Detroit, Michigan. His coverage of music festivals and interviews with local celebrities appeared in The E-Current Magazine, The Detroit Metro Times, XXL Magazine, RichMagDigital, The Ann Arbor Observer, and Pop Magazine.
