Gym is the perfect escape

East Lansing’s Michael Uren is dedicated to his workouts

The gym is the perfect escape for Michael Uren, 27, of East Lansing. Uren is a trainer at State of Fitness in East Lansing. “Fitness, to me, is a way of life. It provides daily motivation and makes everyday life easier. I have more energy, it’s easier to bring up the groceries and my feet don’t hurt when I’m standing all day.

“Fitness allows me to be able to enjoy all facets of life without feeling restricted and that’s true freedom. I have no idea what I would do if I couldn’t work out. I always think I’d probably go crazy.”

The pandemic has been a challenge, but he’s adapted well.

“The pandemic had a significant effect on my workout routine,” he said. “I had to adjust from working out in the gym to working out at home. Switching from heavy compound lifts like the squat and deadlift, to bodyweight exercises was a fun but challenging change. I had to find new ways to stimulate muscle growth without weights and, as a trainer, I enjoyed the challenge. I went from heavy loads to prioritizing time under tension, really emphasizing the eccentric portion of lifts.”

Uren said he alternates his workouts every day, trying to keep his routines fresh.

“My workout is different every day, but all revolve around heavy compound movements while addressing current imbalances,” he said. “When I’m working out with a client, I strive to correct muscle imbalances while also programming for progression. If you build a house on a bad foundation it will eventually crack. It is important to fix what is broken or lacking so you have longevity in your lifting career.”

It pays to have a healthy diet when working out. Uren sticks to the basics and makes sure he eats in moderation.

“My diet is nothing special; sticking to the basics is what it’s all about,” he said. “Trying out different fad diets has never been my thing,” he said. “They can work for some people but why limit your food options? My diet consists of lean protein sources, complex carbs, and healthy fats. I try to stick to the 80/20 rule (80 percent clean, 20 percent dirty) when it comes to food choices. Consistency with nutrition is what truly matters: eat well the majority of the time and fit in treats when you want them. It’s important to have a healthy relationship with food.”

He said the healthy relationship makes it easier for days when you may not make the best choices.

“It’s important to give yourself options and to be able to fit in the foods that you enjoy. That is part of creating a successful dieting strategy,” he said. “I love pizza and the occasional social drink. I just plan for these meals and adjust macros/diet accordingly. If you sneak in your favorite foods on a recurring basis the desire to cheat on your diet goes away.”

His advice to those looking to get healthy and fit: Find a trainer and put in the work.

“When it comes to fitness, my greatest advice would be to find a knowledgeable and supportive trainer,” he said. “My second piece of advice would be to just stay consistent and not take too much on at once. Have a singular goal that is realistically attainable and come up with a plan or hire someone to do it for you. Once you obtain that goal then take on more. Fitness is all about the long game. Health isn’t achieved overnight so be patient and stay consistent. You will reach your goals if you stay true to that philosophy.”