Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Wesley Chow
Strong is the new sexy and fitness is the new party. With society leaning towards health and fitness, Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to all inspirational men and women in Singapore leading active lifestyles. Know of any who deserve to be featured? Hit me up on CherylTay.sg and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (cheryltaysg).
Name: Wesley Chow (IG: @wes_c)
Age: 38
Height: 171cm
Weight: 63kg
Occupation: Freelance Personal Trainer
Status: Attached
Diet: Intermittent fasting
Training: Heavy strength training 3-4 times a week, HIIT and cardio on non-strength days
What kind of sports did you do as a kid?
I played table tennis, badminton and soccer in primary school and got really interested in playing basketball during my teenage years after being inspired by my idol, Michael Jordan.
I went on to play for my squadron’s basketball team during my National Service days where we were competing for the inter-squadron championship within the airbase. Other than that, I was part of the 4x100m relay team during that time too. It was an inter-airbase competition and my team got a gold for that.
When did you first go to the gym and why?
Growing up, I was a chubby kid but after I lost the puppy fats during adolescence, I had low self-esteem for being too scrawny as I did not like the way I looked in some outfits.
I started going to the gym during my polytechnic days because I was tired of looking skinny and having narrow shoulders. My clothes always looked oversized on me even though I was wearing size S. I thought going to the gym would help me look bigger and better, so I went to a neighbourhood gym and started lifting weights. No one guided me; it’s more of a monkey-see, monkey-do thing. I watched what people did and I just followed.
However, I began to realise I wasn’t getting any results just by following people blindly so I started reading up on exercise and fitness. To further enhance my knowledge and interest, I took up a degree in Sports Science.
What do you like about lifting weights?
There is a sense of satisfaction when you are lifting a weight which was too heavy for you months ago. As you work your way up and develop your strength, your physique improves too.
What does fitness mean to you?
Fitness is an integral part of my life. It is both physical and mental. When both aspects are well taken care of, it helps us to perform in our optimum state to handle the daily challenges of life.
What are some of the misconceptions that society has about fitness now?
Some women have the misconception that they should not lift heavy weights for fear that it will make them bulky. However, lifting heavy weights has many benefits and women should not avoid heavy weights.
The bulky look that women think they will get is usually the result of increased calorie intake which leads to fat gain. Structure the weight training program with a sensible diet to avoid the bulky look.
Why is it important to lead an active lifestyle?
Leading an active lifestyle helps you lead a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life and you’ll look and feel better too when you are in shape! In the process, you may also meet new friends and get to spend quality time with family and friends. For example, I love flowriding at Wavehouse in Sentosa. It’s an incredible workout and also a fun place to chill with family and friends.
Are you satisfied with your body now and why?
Honestly, I’m pretty happy with my body now. Given that I don’t really watch what I eat and I don’t follow any diet plan, but I always strive to be better.
Do you get any comments about your body?
I feel complimented when peers and clients suggested that I take part in physique competitions.
You managed to maintain your physique so well for your age - what’s the secret?
Do not overeat and be consistent in your exercise regime. Don’t be too obsessed in getting the six-pack abs and forgo other important things in life. Just enjoy the process and eventually you will see results.
