What does fitness mean to you?

Fitness can mean so many different things to so many different people. Some train to support their mental health, others to hit new PBs, some have aesthetic goals, and others use it as a time to socialise.

In honour of National Fitness Day 2022, we sat down with one of our resident coaches, Faisal (A.K.A., Mr. PMA) to discuss what exactly fitness means to him. Check out what he had to say!

When did you first get into fitness – were you an active child or did it come later in life?

I was a super active child, and I’m grateful to have had such supportive parents who put me into every after school activity they could find. I got involved with everything from hiking to camping to running, and I loved every second of it.

Why do you exercise – what benefits do you look to gain from it?

Exercise for me is all about the mental health benefits. Sure, hitting PBs and reaching goals is a great driver, but the positive effect that working out has on my mental state is what really keeps me showing up day-in, day-out. It’s my form of self-care, my time to reset and show up for myself with no distractions.

How has your attitude to fitness changed over time?

When I was younger, fitness was all about the aesthetic changes I could bring about in myself – I was driven by what I saw in the mirror. Whilst I believe that that is a valid reason to get moving and I have no regrets from my younger years in fitness, as I’ve gotten older my mindset has shifted. As I’ve noted above, it’s all about the mental health benefits for me now. So long as I’m happy and content within my own head, that’s the main thing.

What’s your favourite style of training?

EMOM (every minute, on the minute) workouts are my absolute favourite. I love how you can combine a range of modalities and rep schemes into a single workout. Plus, they pack a huge punch and get me sweating in no time!

Why did you become a coach, and when did you know you wanted to become one?

There wasn’t a big epiphany moment for me, instead it simply became increasingly clear over time that this was the path for me. I suppose my career in fitness began when I studied P.E. at college, and I’ve been building and growing ever since.

Whatever your reason for getting moving, we’d love for you to join us in celebrating National Fitness Day, and share your own fitness stories with us over on our socials @withutraining, to let us know what fitness means to you!

Follow Faisal on socials: @faisalpmafitness

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