High Intensity Training Interview of the Month: Michael Petrella
Very special interview this month–our guest is Michael Petrella, Owner of STG Strength and Power Gym in St. George Ontario Canada.
Michael started out from very humble beginnings to create one of the premier training facilities in Canada. In addition to providing his clients with State of the Art equipment and helping them achieve their fitness goals, he also has produced a Power Lifting Team that hold numerous National and World records.
Left: Gene Rychlak Jr., first man in the World to bench 1000 pounds; Center: STG lifter Michael Parsons, IPA and RPS bench press World Record holder; Right: his trainer, Michael Petrella, who by the way can trap-bar deadlift 500 pounds.
Michael has impressively taken the teachings of his mentors-including Mike Mentzer, Arthur Jones, Ken Leistner, John Christy, Brian Johnston, and Randy Roach-and combined that knowledge with tremendous hard work, determination, and dedication, to create a State of the Art facility and a training atmoshere second to none. And by the way, he’s only 26 years old!
Turn up your speakers and listen in as Michael talks about:
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How and why he started training
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How he utilizes High Intensity Training with his Power Lifters
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His approach to training education (will surprise you)
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How building strength is different than demonstrating strength
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His unique viewpoint on nutrition, and who he learned it from
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The unusual environment his first gym was located in (hilarious)
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How surfing the internet pushed him to expand his gym
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The most important exercise for building size and strength
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The “dark times” he experienced as a gym owner, and how he overcame them
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A lesson on Nautilus and Med-X equipment, and a description of some of the unique pieces in his gym
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What the “STG” in STG Strength and Power stands for
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The strangest thing he’s ever seen in a gym (cover the kids ears)
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And much, much more!
To hear the Michael Petrella interview, just click on the play arrow (the little triangle on the left) below:
***SPECIAL BONUS!***
A HIGH INTENSITY NATION EXCLUSIVE–BRAND NEW, NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN VIRTUAL GYM TOUR OF THE NEW STG STRENGTH AND POWER GYM–BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER!
See first-hand the AWESOME equipment Michael described in the interview!
Leave Comments Below…..
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I’m just mentioning this in passing having read the latest article related to the old folks like me, Darden, Flanagan, ect., (this part is a joke), back in the 70′s when I had my first Nautilus clubs, I kept one Olympic Bar on
hand, because I used to compete at Mt.Park in Holyoke, Ma.
I trained on Nautilus, but when contest time rolled around I would do some “skill training” for what ever strong man stunts were to be in the Strong Man Lifts were to be in the contest. So, there was a time where, weighing 165 lbs., I could do 5 reps with 500l bs. and deadlift 400
lbs. with one hand.
Also, could one-arm clean to the shoulders and do a side-press with 200 lbs.
Now a days, that ability and about $4.50 gets me a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Joe Mullen
Fitness Scientist
Holy Crap! Awesome gym-by far the coolest one I’ve seen in a long time! I love the old school Nautilus-I started out using the dual leg machine when I was about 15 years old but haven’t used one since. I wish I could find one here in Phoenix. By the way, Michael, does Randy have you eating raw meat (seems I heard he was a proponent of that-got Josh Trentine hooked on it with great results)?
Very nice interview. I really like Mike’s open minded approach and non dogmatic thinking. It’s very refreshing to hear what he has to say. Having Randy Roach as a Mentor can’t be beat! Mike I wish you the best!!
Hello Thomas, I am very happy you enjoy the gym. Yes I have been eating raw meat daily for 5 years now. I consider that the more extreme end of what I do but it is a very powerful tool in building muscle. I talked to Josh many years ago at his facility about what I was doing with it and the results it allowed me to attain. He then became an excellent student of raw food eating and has forged a strong friendship and working relationship with Randy Roach. I look forward to seeing Josh back on stage in the new year knowing that he has eaten this way for a few years now and has put on a considerable amount of muscle in the process.
Thank you very much Jim. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
The first machine shown is so beautiful its sick, nice new spot Sir! For those who don’t know Mike is a true gentleman and a class act all around.
Regards,
Andrew
Another GREAT interview Dave!! Mike is a true professional and is doing a wonderful job of speeding the news of HIT in the Great White North!! I look forward to getting to know more about Mike and I hope to get to meet him soon.
Dwayne Wimmer
thomas, I am in phoenix. email me at marktb68@gmail.com Mark