Every month at True North Strength and Fitness we recognize the efforts of a community member that has broken new ground in their fitness game – either completing a significant event, taking their training to a whole new level, or stepping completely outside of their fitness comfort zone. We hope that by shining the spotlight on their fitness journey, you’ll be educated, motivated, and inspired no matter where you find yourself on your own.
Oh, and high-fives for the featured members are always welcome – because the world can always use more high-fives!
This month we’re shining our spotlight on…
What’s your name? Rob van Zanten
How old are you? 56
How long have you been training and how did you get started? I have been training with Guy and Sash since before they started True North. The rest, as they say, is history.
What’s your sport and/or fitness background? I loved all sports as a kid. Growing up with 3 older brothers I was extremely motivated and competitive. Played high school golf, basketball, and volleyball but my true love was always baseball. Played competitively for over 35 years. I went from fastpitch to slow pitch to hardball and some weekends would play all three. Claim to fame was winning a national title in Senior A men’s slow pitch in 1995 in Quebec City.
What’s your most recent sport and/or fitness accomplishment? How long did it take you to prepare? The main reason I joined the gym was to prepare myself for endurance cycling. The minute I jumped on a road bike I was hooked. I set some early and lofty goals for myself and knew I needed help and expertise to attain them. The Whistler Gran Fondo was 8 months away and Guy and Sash tailored a program to get me ready. I just completed my fourth straight WGF!
What does a typical training week look like for you? I train with Sasha on Mondays and Guy on Tuesdays. The program is specific to cycling/strength. I add a metabolic on Friday or Saturday to get in my cardio. Outside of the gym, I jump on the bike Sunday mornings with the odd Grouse Grind thrown in.
What’s your favorite exercise? Why? Goblet Squats – great leg burn and helps prepare for those hill climbs on the bike.
What’s your least favorite exercise? Why? Guy and Sasha can fill this one in for me… chest to deck. Being 6’4” and 225lbs you know why.
What’s the next sport and/or fitness goal you would like to accomplish? I would like to do and Olympic Triathlon.
Did you get any cool results from your training that you weren’t expecting? If yes, what were they? My chicken legs are looking better and I’m proud of that.
If you were a superhero, who would it be and/or what’s one superpower you would like to have? Any superhero with flexibility or stretching powers so I can show up Guy at least once!
Favorite song. “Hallelujah” by K.D. Lang – remember the 2010 Olympics?
Favorite place you’ve ever traveled to. Why? Rome – love the history and architecture. The colosseum still amazes me every time I see it.
Who is one historical figure you would like to have a conversation with? I would love to have a conversation with Adolf Hitler – not because I admire him – NO! but to try and get a feel for wtf he was thinking.
