Hi, I am Henry. Big H or Big Henry describes me quite well.  47-year young bloke, 6’5″ (197cm) and 310 lb (140 Kg). I am an average Joe who has done different sports his whole life, but the sport that I have always enjoyed and loved the most is weightlifting.

Let me tell you about me and why I founded this blog. I am born and raised in a dark corner of the North in a place called Finland. Here I studied, do my job and have started my family. In the backend of the North, darkness and light meet and raise humans to be survivors in a harsh conditions. A German journalist once said that Finns are a manic-depressive nation. In summer, during the nightless night, when sun does not set, all kind of crazy things are done and carried out wildly and openly at a fast pace, before the short summer is over. During the dark period, we Finns shut ourselves down and wrap ourselves in our own thoughts, waiting for the summer to come again. In the dark season, the hope and expectation that the time of the light will come again is emphasized. This same mindset is also needed in goal-oriented training, whatever the goal may be. In training, there are bright moments when everything goes well and progression pace is fast, and again moments when you dive into darkness, when nothing works and you are close to giving up. In Finnish, we have a special ford for this “Sisu“.

*SISU pronunciation [si-su]

(noun) Extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of extreme adversity. An action mindset which enables individuals to reach beyond their present limitations, take action against all odds and transform barriers in to frontiers. An integral element of Finnish culture and also a universal capacity which we all share.

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog like this for a long time. A platform where I could pass on the things that I have discovered, learned and experienced over the years, in gym training. Share the basic things that the average gym-goer needs in order to keep training meaningful and achieve the results you are aiming for. For good basic training, you need a toolkit with basic tools and clear instructions on how to use those tools. Working out doesn’t have to be complicated.

I have been doing many great sports in my life, such as: soccer, fencing, badminton, roller skating, mountain biking, martial arts, etc. I have only competed in the beloved sport of my youth, fencing. Alongside with everything, there has been always gym training, at least since the age of 15. However, gym training has only become my main sports around the age of 30. Today I can call it a way of life, because without it I would probably go crazy. It is a way for me to challenge myself, manage stress, stay in shape, get pleasure, develop and much more.

Even though I’ve been going to the gym for years and I claim that I have a lot to pass on from gym training, I feel that I’m an average joe and not an expert in any way, even that  someone could claim so.

Between the ages of 25 and 32, there was a time when I was not very active. I noticed how badly my muscle condition and physic had collapsed. I wanted back what I had. The task was not easy. As a father of small children, renovating the house and studying at the same time. Finding time to go to the gym regularly was really challenging. Quess many of you recognise this? Despite this I wanted to get back in shape. Setting up a home gym in the garage, that I could use whenever possible made this possible. It was very basic and ascetic, but I figured it was better than nothing. In the garage, I had a bench press bench and a few bars, some plate weights, dumbbells, a kettlebell and a place to do bodyweight exercises. It think that results can be achieved with surprisingly few tools when you use your imagination. Of course, as the strength levels increased, the weights in the home gym became small and the movement variations became too familiar. The renovation was completed and the children grew up, so I had more time to go to the actual gym. Small things will get you started. Today I have enough time to go to the gym 3-4 times a week and it has become a habit that is included in the family’s everyday life and schedules. I would train every day if it were possible during these peak years I am living. Training 2 to 4 times a week, you will do more than brilliantly if you stick to the basics and don’t get involved in overly technical implementations.

Follow me and my blog and discover among other interesting things that…… 

– It doesn’t need to be complicated to get simply results –

Average is enough