Chris Rosales
I love a good “shit hit the fan and I fixed it” kind of story. The ability to see the big picture and adjust, bob and weave, and come out better on the other side.
Today we talk to Chris who has done just that. Health concerns were the wake-up call and he has transitioned his life including powerlifting and strongman for the better.
Chris and I chat regularly, we both love the home gym life as well as dabble back and forth between strongman and powerlifting. Something amazing about loading a ton of weight on your back and squatting it in powerlifting, but also something stupid cool about carrying around a full-size adult male (or two) in strongman.
Let’s meet Chris Rosales
Chris, tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Chris, I’m married (she also lifts) and I do supply chain work. In my other free time I play video games and play with my dogs.
Started lifting after sever health issues that hospitalized me in 2004. I wanted to lose weight and absolutely needed to get my heart stronger. I mostly dabble in Strongman and Powerlifting. Strongman has different odd object and variation lifts that I like.
How did you get involved in the garage gym community?
I started my gym in March of 2020. I started with axle (110 lbs empty 200lbs with fixed tires) 4 hundos plates. 25 kb , 10lb db’s, stall mat, atlas stones, frame circus dumbells (10” and 12”) and yoke.
Now I have a rack, steel/bumper Plates (1400+ lbs), Dumbbells( 5-50 set), Kettlebells( 20lb -82LB), bands, foldable bike, atlas stones, yoke,2 axles, barbell, sandbags, throwing bags, keg, drags sleds platform, side platform, plyobox, 2 cable rigs, his and her frames, farmers handles and circus dumbbells.
I’m currently out of space but trying to save up for when we have more room for equipment. It is currently so packed. The gym has to be put up a certain way for everything to fit.
Oh, and the gym pups! I am a 100% at home lifter at this point, lifting by myself with the dogs and on Saturdays with my wife.
Give me some pros and cons for lifting at home.
Cons:
- The higher (100 degrees plus) and lower (40 and below) temps.
- Not having all the machines for easy accessories.
- All comes out of my Wallet. :’(
Pros:
- Can work out anytime day or night without having to go anywhere.
- Always have a squat rack available.
- I know who is in the Home gym. No jerk/rude people. No kids playing around.
- I know things are clean to my standard.
- Weights are always re-racked and things put away.
- Can superset without being in the way or losing a spot.
- Can work out as long or as short as I want.
- Always close to the kitchen if I need pick me up snack or more water.
- No hour-long drive to a gym.
- Can play my own music as loud as I want on speakers. I don’t like training in headphones as they always fall out of my ears.
- NO excuses for missing a lifting session.
- Can be loud and go heavy without holding back.
- I just feel more at Home in my Home gym.
- I always wanted a Home gym. So Checked that off.
Tell me about your experiences with the Garage Gym Competition.
I saw it online and it looked awesome and fun. I got out of powerlifting and this makes me actually train it again. I don’t compete anywhere else at this point, so this gives me that outlet AND I can compete with my wife.
Seeing all the lifters each year is awesome. The opportunity to win sweet prizes is amazing. The prizes are better than any strongman or powerlifting competition I have competed in.
It has also given me a target. Instead of just training, I have a date to focus and push for.
What are you thinking / listening to when you eye down a big lift?
Going Super Saiyan and not getting hurt lol. I listen to Lezbeepic – SS3 3 Goku.
How are you preparing for the 2022 GGC?
Going back to full time powerlifting with strongman as accessory. Getting mobility and bad movements fixed ahead of time.
Thanks Chris
You can check out Chris’s antics @turtle_strength
