Erik Steffens from Barry's Bootcamp in Sherman Oaks
BIO: My full name is Erik Chase Steffens. I’m 25 and from Moline, IL. I’ve been in the fitness world for over 10 years and training clients for the past year and half. I moved out here for acting and was looking for a job that allowed me to help people and have flexible hours. Now I’m able to pursue two careers that I absolutely love and get to watch them both expand. I like to write songs on my guitar or piano as a way to relax. I am a big fan of ice cream but in moderation. I am an exercise junkie. I love going for bike rides, running on the beach, lifting weights, playing tennis, anything that’s competitive and has cardio. I am a firm believer in paying things forward and fighting for what you want. Did I just fill out a match.com profile? Haha
Andrea: Let’s start with a little background… How did you get here? What drew you to fitness?
Erik: I was an all-state miler in high school and a scholarship Cross Country and Track athlete in college. I graduated with a degree in medical science specializing in Chemistry, so I’m known to be a nerd when it comes to fitness. Without knowing it, I was spending years gaining thousands of tidbits of knowledge on how to be a trainer. I moved to LA 2.5 years ago and after a year I wanted a job that had flexible hours and paid well. I decided personal training and became a certified instructor with no gym. My friend David P. (another trainer) told me about Barry’s Bootcamp and set up an interview for me. From there I went through instructor training and grew into the company. Fitness has always been in my life, running specifically. As time has gone on I’ve seen what it has done to enhance my life for the better and how it’s been in inspiration for positive living.
Andrea: How long have you been with Barry’s Bootcamp?
Erik: I had started my scheduled classes at Barry’s Bootcamp March 1st 2010.
Andrea: How does the training offered at BB differ from what we could do at home on
our own?
Erik: This is a multi-response question. The first part is the trainers will push you harder then on your own. A person I to focused on ignoring the pain signals from their brain and acting out the exercise to determine if they should or can be
going harder. We know how to read faces and can tell when the right amount of effort is being made. We create playlist of classics, old, and new music, so you’ll be on the cutting edge of what’s hot and hip. We have multiple types of resistance training (dumbbells, weighted bars, resistance bands, and medicine balls) that can be expensive to purchase for your home. But the main reason and also the most attractive perk, is we create the workout for you ahead of time. You can come in, hop on a treadmill and just turn off your brain. You’ll get a killer workout and not have to worry about bills, relationships, or career issues. For an hour you can be you without interference.
Andrea: When a woman hears the word “bootcampâ€, it does things to her confidence. How do you keep bootcampers motivated and confident?
Erik: I think it’s more than the word bootcamp and I don’t think it is exclusively to women. Unfortunately we live in a society that puts Math and Science above art and fitness because the majority of working class jobs demand these assets. However all forms of art stimulate creativity and enhance problem solving, while fitness improves longevity, heightened immune system, and clarity of the mind. I think removal of even one of the four would be a disservice. There is a lack of education in how to exercise. So I educate my clients. I work them out while instilling their brain with factual knowledge of why something is working and philosophical knowledge of how to perceive life and fitness. This infusion of information keeps the client motivated and confident because they know what is going on and why it is relevant. If I see a client constantly stopping on my treadmills I’ll pull
them back to help them find THEIR speed for my class and build them up from there. My goal is to never have a client stop on a treadmill, no matter what the speed, and if you stick with me I’ll prove it. It is great to workout in a group setting because your body feeds off the energy, however people also become insecure about being judged by the other classmates. You are not there to make that other person get in to shape, you are there for you, so for pete’s sake DO YOUR OWN THING! The hardest thing hands down has to be walking in to the gym. I also reflect at the end of class all the things they’ve done giving them a brief moment to asses just how awesome they are and how much they can accomplish.
Andrea: Spring is coming up, what are some ways that women who don’t have access to the Barry’s gym’s can get toned and ready for the rising temperatures (and hemline’s)?
Erik: Buy our dvd’s!!!! Our website www.barrysbootcamp.com has everything you could want and need. Plus to top that off we have Barry’s Bootcamp Live on youtube. Every couple weeks Martin (another trainer and my mentor) loads up new fresh exercises to give you a large variety of ways to change up your routine. NEXT!
Andrea: What role does food play in staying fit?
Erik: EVERYTHING!!! I’m sorry ladies, you can argue or resist this all you want. But the sooner you stop
fighting it, the faster you’ll have a flat stomach and a toned body. AFAA states when it comes to weight loss 80% is food and 20% is exercise. Exercise gives the muscle definition you want (ex: Perky butt, toned stomach, slender arms). But none of that is possible if you have pounds of fat hiding all your hard work. To lose fat you must have a calorie deficit (burned more calories then ate) by the end of the day. Food also provides your body with the nutrients to repair damaged muscle fibers (this is a good thing though it sounds bad) and build them back stronger. Balanced food = improved performance = higher calorie burns = larger weight loss and toned definition.
Andrea: Is it better to work out in morning or the evening?
Erik: Doesn’t matter. What matters is when will you go to the gym? Figure out what kind of person you are. If you plan to workout at night bring your workout clothes to the gym and go straight there, DO NOT GO HOME! Once in your house a million valid excuses will come up keeping you there. If you are exhausted after work and just want to go home and relax, then work it out in the morning. Does that mean you have to wake up early to workout? Yes. Does that mean you go to bed earlier? Yes. Does that mean there is some kind of sacrifice incorporated with getting in better shape? YES! THAT’S WHY WE WANT IT!
Andrea: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring with
you?
Erik: Is it bad that I have more trouble answering this then the previous 7? I’m going to give two versions. Version 1: A Swiss army knife, canteen, and a year’s supply of multi-vitamin’s. Version 2: An iPad so I could post on facebook what I was doing, a pair of Oakley sunglasses, and Barry because if I’m going down I’m taking him with me!!!
There you have it ladies! No nonsense tips straight from a top trainer to the stars!
If you want to train with Erik at Barry’s Click Here. If you haven’t heard of Barry’s Bootcamp, Click here! And if you live in or around LA, make sure to attend their OC location launch on April 2nd! Click here for info on the launch.
You’re welcome!
xox,
Andrea