It’s not just female celebrities pumping iron

Health Charlie Smith

Vancouver fitness guru Ron Zalko has seen many workout trends come and go in his 37 years in the industry. He recalls exercising with Jane Fonda at the height of the aerobics craze in the 1980s.

Then there were those martial-arts oriented moves of the 1990s, followed by the rise of street-dance exercises in the early part of this century.

Shortly before the new year dawned, Zalko sat down for an interview with the Georgia Straight at his Kitsilano gym to discuss what’s most popular nowadays. Some of his observations might surprise you.

WEIGHT TRAINING FOR WOMEN

Zalko revealed that during the past year, weight training has become increasingly popular for female members of his gym. “It gives you more toning, firming, definition, and self-esteem,” he said. “Women who do weight training have wonderful bodies.”

Several Hollywood actors have gone public about the benefits that this is having for them, including the star of the 2017 Wonder Woman film, Gal Gadot. “I do cardio,” Gadot told E! News, “but I don’t like it as much. I’d rather do weights.”

Others who enjoy weight training include Blake Lively, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kate Upton, singer Gwen Stefani, and Oscar winner Emma Stone. Scarlett Johansson is another one, bluntly telling French Elle magazine several years ago that she works out like a guy.

Zalko said that one of the benefits of weight training is it can also delay the loss of bone density and the onset of osteoporosis. And he insisted that lifting weights will help a person lose weight.

He also dismissed any concerns that women will bulk up and become unattractive through this activity.

“Women don’t have the same testosterone levels as men unless they take steroids or if they eat up to 5,000 calories a day,” Zalko quipped.

One member of his gym is actor Eric Mccormack, who was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Will & Grace. And, yes,

HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING

For people who don’t have a great deal of time, this type of cardiovascular exercise is seen as a relatively quick fix. There are many

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