Bret's home sweet home gym
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Canadian wrestling legend, Bret "Hitman" Hart. -- Calgary Sun photo
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By JEFF HILL -- Calgary Sun
As the seven-time world champion of professional wrestling, Bret Hart
has had to keep himself in great shape just to stay competitive.
Now that he is retired and enjoying the fruits of his labour, one of
Calgary's favourite sons is staying fit and active -- as he puts it, "purely
for peace of mind."
Hart has a personal trainer and has had for some time, and he credits that
instruction for putting him at the top of his game.
He recalls a match he had in 1997 with Stone Cold Steve Austin, where he
had trained specifically for that match and was extremely proud of his
physique and performance.
Having the motivation of a personal trainer has kept Bret in fighting form,
even in retirement, but on many occasions he chooses to walk down the stairs
of his newly renovated palace and work out in his own gym.
Surrounded by mirrors and windows looking out onto the pool and deck area,
the gym includes what Hart considers necessities.
A full compliment of freeweights, dumbbells, a squat rack, incline and flat
bench, and a home-gym style, multi-function workout centre. A television is
even present so Hart can be entertained as he pedals away the miles on his
stationary bike.
Initially "The Hitman" didn't know the technicalities of working individual
muscles, but after many years of training he feels comfortable working out on
his own, in the solitude of his home.
Up to five times a week Hart devotes a minimum of an hour a day to fitness
and working out.
"Finding the time to work out can be difficult for everyone, so having
something there can make taking care of yourself easier," says Hart.
Graduating with honours from the school of hard knocks, literally, Hart can
afford to purchase such nice equipment and develop such a thorough home gym.
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The Hitman's home gym. -- Calgary Sun photo
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Many individuals, however, cannot and may only be able to purchase one or
two pieces of equipment.
If you are one of those people, a good method is to call a fitness
equipment store, find out the cost of some equipment ,and budget for it over a
year.
If you replace the odd pizza, bar tab or even the occasional article of
clothing with dumbbells and a stationary bike, your physique will change in
short order.
What equipment should an individual looking to do something like that start
with?
Hart recommends starting with a curl bar, long bar, a bench and some
dumbbells.
Weights are vital to building muscle, which is the engine that burns fat.
Building muscle doesn't mean big and bulky either, just lean muscle tissue.
For cardiovascular fitness, a bike is the apparatus of choice. Whether it
is a two-wheeler or stationary, it is high on Hart's list.
All the equipment in the world is pointless, however, if you don't actually
use it. All too often those types of purchases turn into another place to hang
laundry rather than a fundamental part of one's lifestyle: a lifestyle Bret
Hart is enjoying and feeling great about.
He has retired from sharpshooters and bodyslams, but not the training that
made him champion. His retirement was sped up due to a kick to his head, but
staying healthy, fit and active has truly given Bret Hart "peace of mind."
