GYM WARRIOR IN GROOVE
DISABLED strongman Frank Moravcik says he has a new lease on life after his beloved gym reopened its doors.
The international powerlifting champion, who works and trains at Valhalla Strength in Currajong, was left devastated after gyms were closed in March because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Moravcik lost his leg while working as a factory attendant in 2014 and has used strongman and gym work in his physical and mental recovery, so when the gyms closed down, he was hit harder than most.
“It provides a sense of community, and it’s a place where people go to hang out as well,” Moravcik said. “To suddenly not have that community anymore is very tough.”
But as of last week Moravcik was back hitting the weights with a vengeance after gyms were allowed to reopen, albeit with a cap of 20 people in each gym.
“It’s just getting that regular routine back after having nothing to do,” he said. “Being able to have that back is a huge relief.”
Moravcik is also back at work helping a number of clients, and is aiming to compete in the Static Monsters Strongman competition set to be held in October.
He holds a personal best log press of 130kg and an axle deadlift best of 280kg.
The 46-year-old had hoped to compete internationally but the pandemic has shelved those plans.
‘There’s still plenty to work for,” Moravcik said.
“I’ll be looking to better my personal best lifts at the Strongman competition, so I’m back in training for that, and I’m taking up jiu jitsu as well.”