Only sport can save us

I run into Grzegorz Zieliński in the hallway of the Nowy Port club. A black beard, an athletic build, sportswear. The word "senior" is probably the last thing that comes to my mind when I see him. Although maybe the word "septuagenarian" seems even more out of place, even though Zieliński is nearing seventy...

We enter the gym. Mr. Grzegorz throws his bag onto a bench. Two young guys are just leaving the locker room, saying goodbye to him with a firm handshake. The club has emptied out. There are trophies, medals, diplomas, and photos on the reception shelves. An impressive collection. In the rooms – heavy equipment.

That is exactly how I imagined this place – a gym for real tough guys. Because Grzegorz Zieliński is a tough guy in every respect – this almost seventy-year-old man stays in great shape and is planning more appearances on the "podium" at the European and World Championships. He is heading toward his goal with determination – even though it is not easy.

Mr. Grzegorz, first of all, I would like to ask about your sports plans.

For now, unfortunately, I have to let it go. I have meniscus surgery coming up soon, so I definitely won't be able to take part in the World Championships in Dubai, which will be held from December 13th to 16th. Because of this wretched knee, I can't train the way I would like – I have to spare it. However, despite everything, I would still like to compete in the World Championships. I haven't managed to win that title yet… I have something to strive for. Besides, once I fix my knee, I would like to go back to scootering, rollerblading, and skiing – because I had to give up those activities.

And what went wrong in 2017? Why do you think it didn't work out?

First of all, we should start with the fact that my age category is unprofitable. Officially, we have a high mortality rate, but that's not true. Athletes of all ages die – where there is high-performance sport, there is also risk. A young football player recently died on the pitch... A great number of young or even middle-aged people compete – for example, classic bodybuilding or physique, that's surely about 100 – 120 competitors.

In my age group, maybe 12 – 15 competitors show up for European or World Championships. We take up time and space but don't generate revenue at an appropriate level, hence such ideas as expanding the age category from 55 years old to 70. However, this is not reliable. There is a small difference in body structure between a 40-year-old man and a 50-year-old. The older the competitor, the more these differences deepen. What chance does a 70-year-old have competing against a 55-year-old? Practically none. And yet, we do everything to show that we, even at such an old age, can still compete.

It cannot be denied that you look impressive – and not just for your age. Your fitness is enviable. Is it hard to maintain?

It gets harder with age. It is increasingly difficult to burn body fat – it requires very intense training. It is harder to be lean while maintaining muscle mass. The body's efficiency is also lower – at some point, I realized that I couldn't cope with what had been manageable for me 2 years earlier. Besides, health problems sometimes flare up – like that meniscus of mine, for example. All this makes you not feel as willing as you used to. Problems with motivation start to appear.

Your devices certainly help me stay in shape. The PowerBoard vibration platform – I use it both at home and at the gym. The PowerBoard "shakes" all my ailments out of me and relaxes the fascia. I also massage my muscles with the Quattromed IV S massage mat and the Miniwell Twist massage pillow.

I need an intense massage, one that reaches deep. For people with well-developed musculature, these devices are ideal, especially since you can lean firmly against them to press your muscles into the massage heads. Now I will also be using the MediGun vibration massager – it will serve me for intensively massaging my muscles after training. This equipment has impressed me.

It only recently dawned on me that due to my numerous duties, I don't have time to recover. I spend a lot of time sitting at work, and without the help of these devices, it would be a disaster. My sister is a masseuse, she runs a practice – but I don't have time to go to her. It happens only occasionally. And having a PowerBoard or Quattromed at home, I can help myself when I come back from work or after training; I don't waste time commuting, and I don't have to make appointments anywhere. Besides, I have always invested in innovative products that helped me maintain my health and good shape, even when I was younger. As an aside, I also like the Bodyshape very much, but that is not equipment for a bodybuilder...

Certainly. Bodyshape, the vibration mat, was created precisely as a gentle alternative for people who, for various reasons, cannot use the shiatsu massage performed by massage heads.

And for such people, it will certainly be perfect. For me, however, such vibration is too gentle, too faintly felt; muscle mass dampens it.

Do you follow any diet?

I am not a fan of diets at all. I believe in the effectiveness of balanced nutrition and keeping track of the right number of calories. You have to eat what your mother taught you, what you like – as long as it's in moderation. You need to be careful to replenish macronutrients and not eat carbohydrates at night. I'm also not a fan of chicken breasts – I just eat meat to provide protein. I eat seasonal fruits, regularly eat fermented foods, use a lot of spices, and supplement with vitamin E and D3.

And that's all?

Of course, this is accompanied by work, effort, and muscular development. We are creatures with athletic bodies, and we must take care of these bodies. But unfortunately, society is currently on bad terms with sports. Many people complain about various health problems, and yet, if they look back to their childhood or youth – they didn't have these problems. They ran, they lived actively, and nothing ailed them. These problems appeared not only as a result of age or genetic predispositions, but above all, due to a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet. On top of that, there is stress – not only oxidative, but also caused by the chase for money. Shopping has become a way to spend time.

Instead of going for a walk or a bike ride, people go to Lidl and Biedronka. They don't try to spend their free time together actively. This is most visible since the introduction of non-trading Sundays – people don't know what to do with themselves when stores are closed. We lack a national program that would promote physical activity. And yet, physical activity, sports, best preserve us. My problem with the meniscus is most likely not the fault of age, but repercussions from a car accident.

But gyms in playgrounds have appeared…

Yes, they appeared, but what's the point if there are no proper instructions on them and people don't know how to use them, how many repetitions of a given exercise to perform? Since such investments have been made, for example, during PE classes in schools, teachers should take students to outdoor gyms and explain how to use them.

Besides, Poland is not Spain – how much time in a year can these gyms be used? This is not a beach in Barcelona, where such equipment can be used all year round. Such solutions are completely disproportionate to the actual demand. On the other hand – I was judging at a competition recently. People walk by and whisper, "oh my, I wish I looked like that too" or "I wish I looked like that too." No problem – you just need to come to the club, start exercising. Fitness won't happen by itself.

And people don't come to the club?

Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people find time for it. I will probably have to close my gym – although I feel sorry, because I have been associated with this place for 40 years. I suggested to the district that I would hand over the club to them, but I would gladly come to train people, even for free. I have the knowledge and experience; I would gladly share it with others. But what can you do when there is no interest?

I don't know in which direction all this will head… for now, it's not going in a good direction. Society is getting weaker, more willing to reach for drugs instead of taking care of the quality of nutrition or physical condition. Let us remember that only sports can save us.