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by Daryl Popper
Paul DeSimone’s interest in the
sport of body building sparked at the young age of nine when he
would watch episodes of HeMan and the Masters of the Universe, a
children’s cartoon adventure. HeMan, a masculine and lean young man
with superhuman strength and highly resistant to damage influenced
DeSimone tremendously when deciding to take on this lifestyle. And
what would be more fitting then becoming a bodybuilder when he grew
up.
DeSimone was also reassured of
this desire, to train, during the eighth grade when a cute girl at
school told him that she really liked muscles. Ever since that day
and after watching every episode and plenty of reruns of HeMan and
the Masters of the Universe, DeSimone, has been active in training
and exercise and can’t be stopped.
Now, twenty-six years old, body
builder and gym owner DeSimone has over ten years of experience and
has established himself as a fierce competitor throughout the east
coast. Through countless achievements in bodybuilding and talent
competitions he added yet another to his long list of accolades at
this years’ Mr. Mass 2006 competition.
Competing since the age of 19
and a total number of 12 competitions under his belt, DeSimone
follows a strict schedule with regards to the amount of food and
liquids he takes in and the level of exercise he completes each and
every day, seven days a week.
“Training is a challenge because
it is really difficult to do,” said DeSimone. “But at the end of a
competition, I look in the mirror and I like what I see. I feel
accomplished and driven to take on competition after competition to
get the next big win.”
Each day begins by working out a
small body part, abdominals, hamstrings, or simply thirty minutes of
cardio. As the day progresses, workouts continue through a series of
lifting exercises and conclude with a major workout of a big body
part involving either the chest, legs shoulders, arms or back.
For approximately one to two
hours DeSimone keenly focuses on this particular workout, with each
contest driving his every push and pull.
The concentration of DeSimone’s
diet increases as well. Almost everything “good” is cut out of his
meals and replaced with healthier and leaner which are eaten in
small portions frequently throughout the day.
When asked how many calories he consumes on average? DeSimone
responded and said, “I don’t count calories. I simply measure my
food intake.”
Whole eggs, chicken, steak,
protein shakes, water and multivitamins typically make up the
majority of DeSimone’s daily menu until the two days prior to
competition when “sipping” water is the only option.
Health risks are on the rise at this point during contest
preparation and DeSimone can attest to that. Not only does he often
suffer from severe muscle pain and cramps, his body temperature
decreases. He also becomes fatigued easily, choosing a bedtime of
10:30pm as opposed to the typical 12:30am.
The reality of this strict diet
also becomes evident at weigh in. In just five short days before Mr.
Mass, DeSimone lost a whopping nine pounds, the majority of which
being water weight.
In addition to his personal
training for an up and coming competition, DeSimone must focus his
attention on his professional career as owner and operator of his
training and bodybuilding gym, Gym Warriors.
DeSimone officially acquired Gym Warriors, located in the heart of
Peabody, Massachusetts one year ago. This fully equipped and
high-energy work out facility has a member list exceeding 200, with
the majority being males.
Whether it is 8am or 9pm, this
lively atmosphere is always filled with music playing, fans blowing
and the grunts and groans of people working hard.
The maxim of Gym Warriors is
simple, “Train like a warrior.” And with the guidance of DeSimone,
that is what his members set out to accomplish.
Gym Warrior, Garrett Brauman, 23
of Boxford, Massachusetts, goes to the gym four to six days per week
and has never missed a workout in his four years of training. “Paul
has shown me that I can replace my negative energy with
bodybuilding,” said Tyler. “Now I compete in Strong Men
competitions, focusing on my endurance and physique instead of
fighting.”
There are one to two personal
training sessions on an ordinary day at Gym Warriors and each
trainee has one goal in mind, work hard to get big.
A fellow Mr. Mass competitor
Vinnie Formasano, 25 years old and a native of Italy, attended daily
training and workout sessions to prepare for his first official
bodybuilding contest.
“It’s hard work and takes a lot
of focus,” said Formasano. “But Paul definitely keeps you in line.
Whether it’s making it to the gym everyday or eating the right food,
he’s always on top of you.”
Each session that Formasano
participated in began with 30-minutes of cardio work followed by an
individual warm-up. DeSimone would then intervene and guide
Formasano in 12 to 15 sets of four different types of exercises.
“I try to keep things new and
fresh by never doing the same work out,” said DeSimone. “Each week
it differs and that way my members can get a good stretch in every
part of their body.”
But it is clear to see when paying a visit to Gym Warriors that
DeSimone’s relationship with his members is more than just a
trainer.
Other than his big muscles from
head to toe and his small twenty-eight inch waist, his gregarious
and outgoing personality is truly what sets him apart from others.
He is a friend to all members and can always make you laugh, an
encouraging aspect that he brings to a stereotypical “meathead”
environment.
Once an aspiring actor, DeSimone
can often be seen at the gym practicing his stand up comedy routines
as members continue their lifts and squats. He has no shame and is
also always dancing and singing along with the music pumping out of
the gym’s stereo system.
“Even if it is the hardest day
of training at the gym, we are always having fun,” said Chris
DiGiammarino, 20 years old from Swampscott, Massachusetts and a
three-year member of the gym. “Paul has brought his members close
together; we are a tight group in a great atmosphere. He knows how
to make training positive and that’s something that you can’t get
enough of.”
With his high energy and
enthusiasm level and months of enduring preparation, DeSimone
carried himself into the Mr. Mass competition and was a winner in
the eyes of many of his adoring fans, including the master of
ceremonies that evening who commented prior to DeSimone’s entrance
onto the stage. “And now presenting one of the biggest and strongest
guys I know, Paul DeSimone,” he said.
Achieving second place in the
heavy weight category, DeSimone is now qualified for nationals until
December 2008 and is driven to train harder and get bigger.
“I missed my peak and actually
did not fill out until about six o’clock, which was for the night
show,” DeSimone said. “I took different pictures from the day show
to the night show and you can see the difference. It would have
meant first place and probably the overall.”
Carla Savini, 19 years old from
Rindge, New Hampshire, attended her first body building contest that
evening was amazed at what she saw. “I’ve never been before, it was
different than I pictured, but definitely real interesting. You can
tell the guys put a lot of hard work into what they do and it pays
off.”
When asked if she planned on
attending another competition in the near future, Savini replied
that she was looking forward to it. “It was fun and entertaining,”
she said.
With a short hiatus of only two
days, from his strict dieting and training schedule, DeSimone
indulged in some of his favorites as a reward for all of his hard
work. Feasting on Chinese cuisine and even a small alcoholic
beverage, two things that are highly prohibited on any normal day
and are known as “cheat foods”, DeSimone was satisfied with his
accomplishments.
Today, DeSimone is ready to hit
it hard. He has jumped back in to his strict training and dieting
regiment and can be seen everyday at his place of business, Gym
Warriors, having fun doing what he loves, body building.
“Once again it’s still a victory
even if I only got second place,” DeSimone said. If I peaked no one
could have beaten me, but I know in order to be successful, I can
make tomorrow better than it was today.” |
