Cover Star
Meet this issue’s frontman, Parker Cote
On the cover this issue is PT and fitness model Parker Cote. Originally from Rhode Island, the 34-year-old now lives in Boston, and in 2015 he set up his own personal training studio, Parker Cote Elite Fitness. His English bulldog, Tuco, is his trusted training partner, and when it comes to fitness he preaches consistency over extremes (Parker, not the dog).
Men’s Fitness: Parker, how would you describe your training philosophy?
Parker Cote: It’s best summed up with two words: avoid extremes. It pains me to see people spending a lifetime going in and out of shape using silly, extreme methods. My approach has always been longevity-based. I started out as a skinny teenager and gradually built lean muscle over the years. Because my results came very gradually, I was able to keep them. Too many people look for quick xes. In tness, quick xes simply don’t exist. Yes, you have to be disciplined, diligent and consistent, but you also need to have balance. I personally enjoy the strategy of training one muscle group per day. I love incorporating supersets for their time-saving, fatburning bene ts, and I utilise a variety of compound and single-joint moves to make sure the body is balanced in all ways: top to bottom, left to right, front to back.
MF: How often do you work out?
PC: Five to six days per week, depending on my schedule. I don’t see it as work, though; I use workouts as a way to clear my head and set a positive tone for the day.
MF: Do you pay equal attention to your nutrition?
PC: Absolutely! Nutrition knowledge and application is essential for tness success. You can do the best workouts in the world, but if your nutrition is poor you will never see long-term results. My diet consists primarily of lean meats, sh, eggs, fruits, vegetables and nuts. I make sure to have a cheat meal once a week for a mental break from eating clean, but also to boost my metabolism. I believe cheat meals are essential for longevity in tness. I’ve been eating healthily for 20 years, and cheat meals have allowed me to adhere to a smart plan in a balanced way.