Honest feedback working with Manuel · Fitness For Musicians

Honest feedback working with Manuel

I started training with Manuel in May 2023 and have been training consistently ever since. Broadly speaking, my journey has been as follows:

At the beginning, I had a limitation in my left knee, which I developed after doing a demanding hike that I was completely unprepared for. The result was that, after a short walk, my knee would start hurting, and the pain would extend up to my hip, still on the left side. I had significant discomfort doing something I had always taken for granted—walking. After this rather foolish injury, I realised I didn’t want to have such a fragile body at 30 years old.

I had known Manuel personally for several years, and later, through social media, I became familiar with his work in bodybuilding and health. So I decided to try his service, and eventually got to work.

Training history:

May to September 2023 – training at home;

From September onwards – training at the gym;

At a certain point, I went from 3 to 4 full-body workouts per week.

Needless to say, after the first few months of training, the knee–hip issue disappeared completely. My goals were related to aesthetics, strength, and health, all of which I have been achieving year after year.

Training with Manuel has translated into invaluable learning, as I’ve learned to apply the fundamental principles of good nutrition, training, and training management.

For example, when I know I’ll have less time to train, I adjust my workouts and make the necessary changes to my plans so that I can continue progressing in the gym. Another example is nutrition: at the moment, I’m not weighing my food, but I know what to prepare in order to meet my macronutrient needs.

The fact that Manuel’s service is entirely online makes it extremely convenient and adaptable to all possible situations. Manuel has always provided practical and feasible solutions to any constraints I’ve encountered, whether related to diet, training management, or minor injuries.

For instance, at one point I was stuck at 70kg on the squat and ended up with a minor injury in my left spinal erector. Manuel suggested changing the bar used for squats, and I spent quite some time using that variation, while still wanting to return to the classic back squat. After a few months, and with some important additions to my plan (zercher squat and zercher deadlift), I felt I had built enough strength to return to the back squat. From that point on, I made significant progress and reached the 100kg mark, since zercher variations are very effective at strengthening the back and core musculature.

In conclusion, although my injury wasn’t serious, the changes made didn’t prevent me from progressing, and it is always possible to work around injuries. No excuses not to train, hehe.

Today I feel considerably stronger, and I highlight the following lifts:

Back squat – 106kg for 5 reps;

Zercher squat – 120kg for 5 reps;

Stiff-leg deadlift – 145kg for 5 reps;

Bench press – 80kg for 3–4 reps;

Zercher deadlift – 80kg for 8 reps.

Note: My body weight is around 72–73kg. I’m about 1.70m tall. Since I don’t intend to compete and want to stay injury-free, I never perform one-rep max lifts.

Key lessons and principles:

Don’t perform demanding exercises without proper preparation or equipment. It sounds obvious, but at the time I didn’t give it enough importance;

I’ve become better at choosing what I eat, while still being able to enjoy the foods I like, always keeping balance in mind;

I can manage my training according to time constraints;

Full independence in managing and swapping exercises within my training plans;

Knowing how to listen to my body, especially avoiding ego lifting when I’m very fatigued;

Resting — deloading — is extremely important.

That said, the gains have been even greater than I initially expected. They also extend to my social circle, as not missing a single workout has allowed me to build new friendships, with whom I do normal things like going out for dinner, or less usual things, like taking part in the first trip of the Portuguese stone lifting project to Almourol Castle.

I'm thankfull that I ran into Manuel for my fitness journey, and I hope people discover the benefits as I did. 🙌

1 comment