We want to take a moment and highlight a member every two weeks who pushes as best as they can at the gym, leads a positive life to those around them, and to those who always go the extra mile.
RONAK SHAH
Ronak is an awesome friend and member! He actively is helping others during their workouts when they need assistance as well as always pushing himself to his full extent. The first day he came in to today, he has made huge improvements! He has literally transformed his body composition! If you want a good laugh and some interesting stories (he is an ER Doc), talk to him! Keep it up dude!
1. What got you interested in fitness?
I have always been into maintaining some level of activity and fitness. When I was in school I spent a lot of hours holed up in the library and that left me feeling like a slug. Going to the gym for even 30 minutes was a just a way to stretch my legs and clear my head. Like a lot of people my dedication came and went. Things get busy at home or at work, workout time dropped off. Then, 2 years ago, I had a lung tumor that needed to be removed. I lost 2/3 of my right lung, but I recovered very quickly because I was already running quite a bit at that point. Now I look at my workouts as a way to keep proving to myself that cancer isn’t beating me.
2. How do you find/make time to get your workouts in?
I have to workout in the mornings otherwise life just takes over. I coordinate going to the gym with my wife so somebody can get the rugrats ready for school. It also makes me feel like I at least accomplished one thing if nothing else gets done
3. Do you have a/any tip(s) for newer people who are just getting into workouts?
It’s a cliche, but every journey starts with the first step. We have all started somewhere. Just by showing up you’ve already done the hardest part. Find somebody at the gym with your similar level, befriend them and motivate each other. Take a picture before you start, and look back on it periodically. You’ll be amazed at the differences
4. What is your current workout routine?
I try to get to the gym 5-6x/week. Lately its been whatever the 8am classes are (TC or Bootcamp). I’ve started going to the Saturday Kettlebell/Boxing class. There’s an awesome energy in the gym when its filled with 30 people.
5. What is your favorite part of fitness? Your least favorite?
Favorite part: Hitting new levels. A few months ago could barely do a few pull-ups in a row, now the 100 pullups in the Murph doesn’t seem as daunting
Least favorite: Going up and down stairs after a leg/squat/lunge heavy day
6. What is your next/current fitness goal?
To consistently do the Level 3 workouts and to do an unmodified Murph, no bands, no knees.
7. How has Burr Strength and Performance helped you on your fitness Journey?
I’ve been working out for years in my basement and not really progressing. The workouts were boring and it was too easy to cut corners. The variety of the conditioning workouts at Burr Fitness keeps it fun and there is something to be said about the group fitness model. We suffer together, but we motivate each other too. Joey has been carefully building a gym family. He knows what he’s doing and it clearly shows. That and we cant forget the impact of the SPREADSHEET GOD.
8. What is your favorite class you take?
I like the bootcamps most because once they start you are moving, the whole time.
9. Anything else you wish to share?
This place is awesome! I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m having fun at the same time. Joey and the team are great and will help you meet your goals!