On Each month we celebrate one of the members of the Iron Lion Pride for their contributions to our awesome community and for their accomplishments inside and outside the gym.
Our Lion of the Month for December 2019 is none other than Kim Koyama!
Kim has been part of the Pride since April 2018 and is also a member of Iron Lion’s powerlifting team. His kindness to others in the weight room is only matched by his determination to better himself. Kim’s positive energy, generosity, and consistency set him apart.
Coach Spencer recently sat down with Kim to discuss his experiences with Iron Lion.
S: What were your goals when you started with us a year and a half ago?
KIM: I answered the ad for men who wanted to build muscle and lose fat which was exactly what I was looking for. But also specifically I was looking for somewhere safe to learn powerlifting moves, deadlift and squat, because those are things I’d always wanted to do to build the larger muscle groups but had never been able to do on my own because I didn’t feel it was safe and I didn’t want to take any chances following online instructions, Youtube videos. I wanted to find someone who really knew their stuff and I lucked into Iron Lion.
At what point did you join the powerlifting team?
I don’t actually remember the timeline but looking back at it what I remember is that I was set up really well for success because right from the very beginning there was a lot of work on core strength, which I didn’t have, and form. So it was probably half a year before I was actually given the opportunity to do a deadlift or a squat with even a light weight. By the time I was given the offer to join the powerlifting club I was noticing differences in my posture, in core strength, in being able to do certain movements with confidence. It’s really interesting, I’ve been measuring weight and body fat and not seeing really a significant difference on the scale. It goes back and forth. But despite that my body looks so much better because of the muscle tone and the core strength which now holds my stomach straighter. That’s fascinating to me. I’ve never heard anyone talk about that, never imagined it.
You’ve been doing really well with powerlifting. You had your first competition in March 2019 and you’re sticking with it, but I know your goals have changed a little bit.
Because I’ve come so far with powerlifting I now want to be able to move into more emphasis on the smaller muscle groups specifically. Which is always part of our routines but not so obvious.
Ron tends to sneak that stuff in there. Whereas now you’re going towards something more like a bodybuilding program with a focus on isolating muscles. And do you feel that’s going well?
Yes. I’m keeping track of my progress with Iron Lion and at the end of one year I had new goals and I feel that’s probably going to continue with every successive year.
That’s great. What’s your favourite part of being part of the Iron Lion community?
I think being just one of hundreds of members of a large gym I never imagined that there was a place where you’d find a small community of people who are completely non-judgmental, where you don’t have to worry about how you look before you come into the gym, where you can come in and feel completely at ease regardless of what kind of day you’re having, and just fit in and be able to talk easily with people and not worry about how strong you are or not, on any given day.
We’re trying to build a safe place but also a place where you can be challenged in a friendly, encouraging way.
And also a place with really great trainers.
But really great members as well. Every single time you come in you bring the same positive energy and attitude and we really appreciate you setting that example. What’s your favourite exercise or activity to do at the gym?
I think, oddly enough, if I were to pick one thing probably my answer would be the exercises that really challenge me, things I’ve wanted to get back to be able to doing, things I could when I was young but found in later years I couldn’t do any longer. So, chin-ups and dips, but as well the challenges of continually trying to better yourself at deadlifts, squats, and bench presses.
How are the pull-ups and dips coming along?
Ron has me continually working on the strength movements to build toward them. It’s so satisfying to see it all come together. I didn’t know how long it was going to take, wasn’t sure I could actually do it, but always aware I was working toward it. So the day I tried a pull-up and was able to do it for the first time it was sort of a revelation to me that this actually is working, it’s not just bullshit. It’s not just making you go through the motions and pay your membership every month.
A part of that is sticking with it, believing in the process, and consistently putting in the work. A lot of what we do is not flashy. It’s slow and sure and it gets you there.
One thing Steph had to tell me that wasn’t apparent to me was, I’d been really pleased with my progress and she said “well, it’s your consistency” and that never occurred to me. I just really, really resist cancelling. The only times I’ve actually cancelled are because either I’ve been sick or I felt okay but didn’t want to spread germs to everyone else.
Your consistency has been iron. And that attests to your mental toughness.
It also speaks to the fact I really enjoy it. Everyone makes it fun.
It’s a pleasure having you. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I just want to say thank you to you and Aziza and Ron and Steph. It’s been a wonderful year and a half.
