In 2010 I turned 40yrs-old and started weight-training. Up to that point in time I had been running off and on as well as doing bursts of body-weight training but never anything on a regular basis. Like a lot of working husbands and fathers in my age bracket, a consistent exercise regime was something I struggled with yet knew to be an important, healthy component for life. Unfortunately I tended to lose interest and motivation fast.
Kia ora, I’m Woz and though I’ve never been physically out of shape (whatever that means these days), I certainly wasn’t at my optimum best either. I'd tried a lot of other things and thought why not give weight-lifting a go? I wanted to keep up with the kids, be able to physically do more and exercise regularly. It wasn’t till I started working-out that I found an exercise-slash-lifestyle that really resonated with me. It’s like that sometimes: you just find something that’s a “fit” for you.
As a young man I think I went to a gym twice and that was it: a bewildering place of health-nazis and machines I didn't know how to operate (those ladies with the head-mic yelling at their classes was too much). Instead I bought a barbell and plates and started deadlifting at home. In time I added more plates. I bought a bench. I did research. I picked up some dumbbells, bought more plates, did more research. After 2yrs I even knew what I was doing but more importantly, loved what I was doing.
I was sold.
Thus begun my relationship with the bar. To this day my gym is my garage where it's cold, dark and dingy with a home-made rack, dusty cement floor and no-one to bother me. Like so many others across the motu and indeed, the world, you’ll find me there 2-4 days a week, mornings or nights, working-out and tracking results. It’s there you apply new ideas, try out different programs and hone your skills. It's there you put your money where your mouth is and learn what you can do.
The IRON KIWI website represents all the knowledge and information I’ve gained so far in my own lifting journey, one that I’m happy to say is still ongoing, still challenging and still as rewarding as ever. Basically everything I share here I’ve experienced first-hand and on the few occasions I offer my opinion on exercise or health-related issues, I clearly state I’m doing so. Authenticity is a biggie for me -- not firing out tired, knee-jerk quotes and responses.
No, I don't know everything about weight-lifting, body-building or working-out. I'm not even sure anyone does. I can proudly state I have zero degrees, diplomas or wall decorations in fitness or nutrition either. Yes, I do use some colourful language at times and my humour is left-field so if you struggle with that, you know what to do. I just share what I know and admit what I don't and hopefully, hopefully I provide a few pointers to assist in your own lifting journey.
Nga mihi nui, thanks for visiting.
(PS – Note te reo, our beautiful Maori language, is used through the site)