Fitness Interview – Strong Lifts Author Mehdi

When I began exercising again, most of my time was spent doing cardio. As I learned more about fitness, I discovered that strength training holds many benefits. I was lucky to discover StrongLifts.com. Mehdi is the author of StrongLifts.com, a blog helping you build muscle & lose fat through strength training. I asked Mehdi for an interview and he was kind enough to participate.

1. Could you tell us how you got into strength training?

I started doing daily push-ups age 15. I couldn't do more than 2 reps in a row the first time. I was weak. But I persisted. 3 years later I was doing 70 push-ups in a row on my knuckles.

The push-ups became limited. It was no more a question of strength but of endurance. Age 18 I subscribed in a gym & started lifting weights. I haven't stopped since then, which is almost 10 years ago.

2. How often do you workout?

Depends on the routine I'm doing. Usually 3 or 4 times a week. My current routine is 4 days a week. But I've done routines on which I trained daily.

I also do a lot of mobility, flexibility & postural work. I'm a desk jockey, so I need it. I do several exercises from the Egoscue Method.

3. How would you describe your nutrition plan?

I supply my body with the nutrition it needs to build muscle & get stronger. But I also supply it with healthy food. I like the Anabolic Diet approach.

My diet consists mainly of:

• Red meats. The more the better. I'm a meat-eater.
• Fish. Tuna, mackerel & sardines are easy & cheap.
• Veggies & fruits. Lots of of them.
• Whole grain carbs. Rice, pasta & oats.
• Fish oil, olive oil & flax seeds.
• Lots of water.

My taste has adapted with the years. Junk food happens, but is not necessary. Sometimes it's twice a week. Sometimes twice a month. I also quit drinking soda at age 19.

4. Supplements are very popular but do you feel they are necessary?

Supplements are as the name implies supplements. Supplements to your nutrition. A lot of people spend more money on supplements than on their nutrition.

I never used any other supplement than multi-vitamins, whey & fish oil. Multi-vitamins have benefits for people with vitamin deficiencies. Fish oil makes it easier to get your daily EPA/DHA intake. And whey is the cheapest protein.

But all other supplements: I don't digg it. Maybe they work. Maybe they don't. The thing is: many people count on supplements to do the job. I count on training hard & eating healthy.

5. What is your advice to someone who has never strength trained?

Start by informing yourself. Like with anything else in life: you need information & a plan. Read a book on topic. Starting Strength will get you a solid understanding of strength training.

Use free weights exercises. Focus on learning the technique. Add weight systematically. Set goals. Persist. Strength will come.

6. Should women train differently than men when it comes to strength training?

Strength training for women is same as strength training for men. Same reps. Same exercises. Same training program.

Women have different hormonal profiles than men, so they'll always be less muscular & less strong. But women can build muscle & get stronger just as men using the same approach.

7. For someone on a budget or can't afford a gym membership, what basic equipment would you recommend?

One barbell with plates. All you need. It allows you to Squat using the steinborn lift, to Deadlift, Overhead Press & do Pendlay Row. Those exercises alone will help you build muscle & strength on a budget.

If you have more money available, the next investment is a Squat Rack. It allows you to Squat more easily & adds safety.

But you have to keep the big picture in mind. The benefits of a home gym are multiple. It's an investment. If you stick with it, you got your money back in less than 5 years. Home gyms save both time & money in the long run.

8. What is the most common myth you hear about strength training?

There are too many myths to list. But those I hear the most are probably:

• Strength training is dangerous & unhealthy.
• Squatting deep is bad for the knees.
• Muscles will become fat when you stop.
• Lifting fast is cheating & dangerous.
• Strength training makes women bulky.

9. What keeps you motivated to stay in shape?

If you mean what keeps me motivated to exercise: nothing. It has become a habit through the years. I don't really think about it. It's like brushing my teeth. It happens naturally & automatically.

However I still push my body out of its comfort zone. I set strength training goals at the start of the year. When things get tough in the gym I think at why I'm doing it: the goals I've set.

I also keep training logs on different forums where people can critique & give tips. This is also motivating as you get an audience & can compete with others virtually. Great if you train in your home gym alone like me.

10. Is there anything you would like to add?

One question I get a lot is if how long I'll to continue strength training. Will I train 20 years from now?

I don't know. I never think about it. What I know is that strength training has become part of my identity. It has built my character & learned me that if you want something in life, you need to persist & work hard.

Strength training has given me a lot & I can't imagine a life without it. To be honest: I feel weird when I take a week rest.

Thanks for the interview Eartha. I wish you luck with your goals of keeping the exercise habit & eating healthy. It's all about persistence eventually. First months/years are the toughest. Do it long enough & you'll see: it becomes automatic & you'll never go back.

Thanks for participating in this interview Mehdi! If you're just learning about strength training or are already strength training then definitely check out Strong Lifts. Mehdi has posted a ton of great articles and you are sure to learn something new!