INTERVIEW WITH HOVHANNES MKHITARYAN FROM USA
ATHLETE INFORMATION:
Full Name: Hovhannes Mkhitaryan
Nickname: Hov
Age: 22
Country: United States
SOCIAL INFORMATION:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkhitaryan
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/hovhannes
Website: http://hmksolutions.com/
EXTRA INFORMATION:
Time doing street workout: 3 years
Team: BarStarzz
Team website or fan page: www.barstarzz.com www.facebook.com/barstarzz
QUESTIONS:
How did you get involved in the street workout world?
I was a pretty heavy, unfit guy 4 years ago. I began losing weight with home cardio workouts, just general exercise. I wanted to develop my pullups more and searched on YouTube – that is how I ran into BarStarzz videos. I was intrigued by the team, and it was my first time seeing creative calisthenics ever. I began following the team and started working with Edward Checo to create the BarStarzz website. A year or so passed and I was at a physical level to be able to tryout for the team.
Why did you choose to practice street workout?
I believe it is a more fun and creative way to exercise. The gym (traditional weightlifting, treadmill, etc.) always bored me and I could not get motivated enough to see results. Calisthenics allowed me to progress and build functional strength. As I saw my body transform in what it was capable of doing, I became more driven and passionate about the sport.
How is street workout reflected in your life?
Because of calisthenics, I know see the world as a gym and an exciting place to express physical creativity. I am more active because of the sport, it has taught me to always explore and learn new movements.
What are your short term, mid term and long term goals with street workout?
Short term: Develop front lever, handstand on bar, and flips
Mid term: Acquire better flexibility through yoga, gymnastics, and stretching.
Long term: Be able to teach youth the importance of healthy living through proper nutrition and creative calisthenics.
How many times do you workout during the week?
I do not have a set number of workouts per week, but I like to get in a workout any chance I get. Some days are busier than others, but I believe one can always make time for a 30 minute workout to keep a fast metabolism and get the daily dosage of endorphins through exercise.
Do you have any specific workout plan or you just improvise and do your thing?
Workout plans have always bored me, I like improvising and doing what is fun and new at that moment. I will however go through phases of working out where I am concentrating on one movement or muscle group more than others for a set period of time.
Which would be the most complex move you achieved (tell us about the process it took you, to achieve it)?
That is probably between the Iron Cross (rings) and the 360 muscle up. The cross took a while to develop the shoulder and elbow strength the support body in that high torque position. The 360 is a relatively simple move but the fear aspect was something I was able to get rid of by learning that move and it has translated to other plyometric moves. Being unafraid of letting go of the bar is something I know a lot of people struggle with, it involves something psychological that is outside of working out and is not always easy to get over.
Which would be the best experience you had doing street workout?
The best experiences with calisthenics are any pullup jam, tournament, or event that involves people from out of town/country getting together. I believe the sport is a community driven sport, and any chance we all get to exchange knowledge, moves, and thoughts is when the sport progresses the most.
What inspire or motivate you to keep on doing street workout?
The people. I don’t think any lone wolf athlete feels happy with themselves – if they do they are delusional. Everyone knows who those people are in the sport, no names need to be said. They are the ones that stay alone and just worry about being the strongest and most famous in the sport. Those people will rise and fall alone.
Which would be the worst experience you had doing street workout?
Without exaggeration, no bad experienced have been had. Even the falls, injuries, etc. are fun – because you learn ways on how not to do things.
What do you expect from the street workout community in the next couple of years?
My hope is for calisthenics to develop into not just a sport but a community that prides itself in teaching others, especially children, the importance of healthy living. We need to be role models for kids who need the support, both with respect to physical and mental health.
Can you give an advice for all the people that would like to start doing street workout?
Subscribe to every YouTube channel remotely close to calisthenics. The daily inspiration is something that is overlooked. Seeing people do things you can’t do should be your motivation to go out there and move, makes mistakes, and learn.
Share some words to inspire the community.
Please understand that community means a uniting of people into a stronger, single force. Do not get too obsessed with numbers, money, and personal success. The success will come when you give, teach, and learn from others.