INTERVIEW WITH MARK LEITZ FROM USA
ATHLETE INFORMATION:
Full Name: Mark Leitz
Nickname: “Thor”
Age: 30
Country: USA
SOCIAL INFORMATION:
Facebook (fan page or profile): Mark Leitz
Youtube Channel: GoldenArms921
EXTRA INFORMATION:
Time doing street workout: 5 years
Important events (ex.: local or international championships):
Workout Fest Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine 2012
Workout Fest Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine 2013
Team website or fan page: https://www.facebook.com/MRCalisthenics
QUESTIONS:
How did you get involved in the street workout world?
Rick Seedman introduced me to this style of training when I moved to NYC in 2009
Why did you choose to practice street workout?
There are so many aspects about it that I love. It’s outdoors, it’s incredibly challenging, it’s always fresh and always changing, and it can be very social.
How is street workout reflected in your life?
I train all the time, no matter where I am or who I am with.
What are your short term, mid term and long term goals with street workout?
Some of the training goals I have for myself are strengthening my OAP and boosting my endurance. I’d also really like to train with a lot more new people and with the people I’ve been following online but haven’t had the chance to yet.
How many times do you workout during the week?
On average I’d say 5 days a week.
Do you have any specific workout plan or you just improvise and do your thing?
I usually have a good idea of what I want to do before I workout but I’ll change it up mid-workout if that’s how I’m feeling.
Which would be the most complex move you achieved (tell us about the process it took you, to achieve it)?
It’s going to sound very stupid but I had the most difficulty learning the back lever. Because I could already front lever, flag, etc. I thought it would be a walk in the park but it wasn’t. After trying time and again, and feeling like I wasn’t getting any closer, one sessions it just “clicked.”
Which would be the best experience you had doing street workout?
I’ve had a lot of great experiences with street workout so that’s tough. It’s probably a tie between my trips to England and all the time spent at Tompkins Square Park training with my friends!
What inspire or motivate you to keep on doing street workout?
I think it’s equal parts internal and external. I have a desire to constantly improve and at the same time I’m highly motivated when I see others achieve their goals or simply enjoying the process.
Which would be the worst experience you had doing street workout?
Probably just some of the aches and pains I’ve gotten, luckily none too serious.
What do you expect from the street workout community in the next couple of years?
I don’t expect anything from it. I would like to see more parks in more places though.
Can you give an advise for all the people that would like to start doing street workout?
Have fun with it and be consistent about your training.
Share some words to inspire the community:
This workout is for everybody.