Athlete focuses on fitness
Michal Zukowski, who began working out a few years ago, lifts weights in the gym. Photos Submitted
By Tom Victoria
A few years ago, Michal Zukowski wanted to improve his volleyball game by enhancing his lean physique.
“I started training at the gym because I wanted to be better at my sport, volleyball, and because I hated being skinny and feeling like a little boy while everyone around me grew up and hit puberty,” he said.
Michal, 18, doesn’t have to worry about that anymore being 6 feet and 3 inches of solid muscle.
“I’ve gotten a lot filled out,” he said.
Michal’s training regimen is an upper/lower split every other day, four times a week, which equates to two upper body and two lower body workouts each week.
Michal works out four days a week.
The New York City teen now helps others achieve their fitness goals via 1-on-1 coaching. He offers custom training and diet plans.
Michal didn’t have to look far in the family tree for inspiration.
“I have an uncle in Poland who is very into weight training,” he said. “And he inspired me and mentored me a lot.”
Once Michal started, he noticed changes before too long.
“Three, four months in, I had a pump from the gym,” he said.
Michal stressed the need to stick with it to obtain results.
Michal was able to build significant muscle mass despite being well over 6 feet tall.
“You have to be consistent,” he said.
Michal doesn’t let himself become complacent.
“My motivation is to be big and have an aesthetic physique while being strong,” he said.
Michal is a fitness influencer, having built up nearly 38,000 Instagram followers.
“I want to inspire other people,” he said.
The young entrepreneur hopes to make a career from fitness.
Michal also enjoys testing the mind. He plays Rubik’s Cube, the square combination puzzle that’s solved by sorting the different colors to their own respective sides.
“I got into Rubik’s Cube because it was something that felt impossible to me and I wanted to break that barrier,” Michal said.
He offered tips to those wanting to get into fitness.
Michal said getting sufficient rest is important.
“If you’re tired, you didn’t get a lot of sleep, it’s just not going to be as sharp,” he said.
Michal said anyone working out should set goals.
“You should be setting a personal record every day,” he said.
Michal reiterated the need to not slack off and to compare where you are to where you started rather than to others who have different genetics.
“Focus on being consistent and making small improvements day to day instead of chasing perfection.”
Michal's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michal_zuk1/