• Home
  • About Us
  • Articles
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

Varsity House Gym

Strength & Conditioning

201-767-1305
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Articles
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
Home » Blog » Adult Fitness » A Decade Of Pain

A Decade Of Pain

04/28/2018 by varsityhousegym

A decade of pain

I get asked all the time “Why” Strongman?

This is how it all started….

I would like to tell you that there is some special story on why I compete in Strongman but it all kind of happened organically. At the age of 20, I was at Montclair State University studying Exercise Science. At the time I was training to walk on to the football team, I had played in high school and received a great recommendation from the coach. I had met with the head coach of Montclair State and was told to try out during spring ball. On one of my scheduled training days, one of my friends Tommy Yannuzzi asked me if I wanted to train Strongman at his cousin’s friend house. Tommy’s cousin, Cameron, and one of his friends were lightweight professional Strongman. We headed over there but I had no idea what I was in store for. On my first day of Strongman training I was able to do a 220 log press, 700lb tire flip, and 240lb farmers walk. After the day was over Cameron asked us if we wanted to buy his equipment as he was retiring, me and Tommy looked at each other and said, ‘Lets do it!" The rest was history and from that moment on my entire focus was on becoming a professional strongman.

We spent about the first 5 years of training in the Tommy's garage, that was our home every Saturday. We had created a strongman dungeon with atlas stones, logs, axles, farmer handles, heavy sandbags, heavy kegs, etc.… I trained with Tommy, and our two friends Nick and Chris.  After training for a few months I decided to compete in my first ever competition in King of Prussia, PA. I was able to hold my own but for a lack of a better term got my ass kicked. For the next 2 years I continued to train and compete and it wasn’t until my 3rd place finish at New Jersey's Strongest Man in 2009 that truly made me feel that I could compete at a high level. I was in first place up until the last event, where I took second place to the winner of the competition, Tom Mutaffis, who beat me previously at my first competition and who later went pro. Over the next few years, I continued to train, compete in and win several competitions. In 2013, I would had the opportunity to compete at the North American Strongman Nationals in Texas.

A Decade Of PainThe 2013 Nationals wasa loaded show with  Strongmen including; the overall winner Rob Kearney who is currently competing at Worlds Strongest Man on CBS Sports, Dave Daly who is currently a pro heavy weight competing at the Giants Live, James Deffinbaugh who won the 2017 Lightweight America Strongest Man, and many other great competitors. I competed against 74 other men in a 2 day, 7 event show.  Day 1 consisted of four of the seven events, at the end of the day I was in second place, just behind Kearney. When I woke up for Day 2 my body was totally ravaged. I could not believe I had 3 more events to go. I was in 3rd place going into the last event and after it was all said and done I took a 6th place finish.

There is a reason why this article is called “A Decade of Pain”. The last few years have been a wild ride.  I have had much success, winning New Jersey Strongest Man, Delaware Strongest Man, and qualifying for Nationals every year. But through all the success, there have been some obstacles as well. In the last few years I have had 2 surgeries, tore my calf, had bulging disc in my neck, a tear in my tricep/elbow attachment. I have had PT, ART, ARP Wave Treatment, chiropractic work, acupuncture, PRP, and more. But throughout the process, I also set 2 New York state records on the axle press and 18’ deadlift, won 2 competitions, and qualified for Nationals. It is important for individuals reading this article to know that no matter what obstacle you come across your intentions must never change! Keep things in perspective so that you can assess the issue and attack it. I have been in the strongman world for over 10 years and I may be getting older, warm ups may take me longer, and my training at times must be more sensory based (keyword: sometimes), my intentions still remain the same. My goal is to do everything in my power to become the strongest version of myself.

CONNECT WITH MIKE

email red

mcapriglione@varsityhousegym.com

If you are interested in strongman training or training at Varsity House Gym please send us an e-mail at info@varsityhousegym.com and we would be glad to help!

For more information on Varsity House Gym please visit www.varsityhousegym.com

Filed Under: Adult Fitness, Athlete Training, In The Gym

Related Posts:

  • My Favorite Restaurants
  • James D – Setback to Success
  • Flex 20 – Simple Meal Prep
  • Flex 19 – Subject: Cheddar Cheese & Blueberry Jam?
  • Flex 18 – What are you doing for self-improvement?

Varsity House Gym
www.varsityhousegym.com
201-767-1305
337 Blaisdell Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962

Privacy Policy

Varsity House Gym
Varsity House Gym
4.8
Based on 68 reviews
powered by Facebook
Fred Flesche
Fred Flesche
2019-10-23T14:00:05+0000
too notch facility coaches and support staff. great hot athletes and... adults of all ages. don't be shy give it a try free workout Oct 26read more
Sal Wanderlingh
Sal Wanderlingh
2019-10-10T01:15:20+0000
Awesome coaches, great people. It will change your life for sure.
Larisa Chagan
Larisa Chagan
2019-09-30T02:39:47+0000
Best coaches in all the land!!!🥰
Jake Hutchinson
Jake Hutchinson
2018-08-22T16:34:16+0000
You cannot find a better environment or better coaching staff. This place... is built on training athletes but they also run amazing programs for anyone that want's to improve their physical fitness.read more
Roxana Lepkowsky
Roxana Lepkowsky
2018-05-24T18:55:46+0000
Dana Velez
Dana Velez
2018-03-06T16:33:25+0000
Steve March
Steve March
2018-02-12T18:27:03+0000
Melody Carl Brennan
Melody Carl Brennan
2018-01-26T17:07:50+0000
Life changing! That is what the Varsity has been for me! Don't fear this... type of workout and training. You won't believe what you can do under the guidance of their trainers and nutritionist! Best bunch of people you will ever meet!read more
Anthony Milone
Anthony Milone
2017-12-19T16:51:54+0000
Varsity House Gym's expertise in strength and conditioning combined with... their professionalism, a welcoming environment, among other things, are the reasons why they are the best in the business. They have been family ever since joining 10 years ago.read more
Jed Limmer
Jed Limmer
2017-12-19T16:10:05+0000
Matt Goodman
Matt Goodman
2017-12-19T16:07:07+0000
Gina Lorefice-Angyal
Gina Lorefice-Angyal
2017-10-18T23:22:58+0000
This place is awesome I’m doing exercises and workouts that I’ve never... done in my life. All the coaches and staff are very caring. everybody’s good positive energy. Coaches make sure you’re feeling good coaches make sure you having no pain or any difficulty. Getting into the best shape I’ve ever been inread more
Dan Krystyniak
Dan Krystyniak
2017-10-09T13:59:14+0000
Jacob Graham
Jacob Graham
2017-08-06T23:54:39+0000
This place is world class! Unbeatable atmosphere and a epic bunch of... coaches!read more
Michele Mazzone
Michele Mazzone
2017-07-29T13:16:55+0000
I can't quite put my finger on why Varsity house sets themselves apart... from other gyms ...They just do!Great motivating owners and staff .Individual and group goals,fun challenges ,and RESULTS!!read more
Peg Carley DeGennaro
Peg Carley DeGennaro
2017-07-05T22:22:33+0000
John Tringali
John Tringali
2017-06-27T12:01:49+0000
Rachel Shemesh Sela
Rachel Shemesh Sela
2017-04-25T16:25:35+0000
Shani Zelinger-Bernhaut
Shani Zelinger-Bernhaut
2017-04-23T01:41:45+0000
Varsity house is great place to work out. Regardless if you a beginner or... with experience. The team are professional and knowledgeable .read more
Jill Pacelli
Jill Pacelli
2017-04-16T13:07:00+0000
There is a great energy inside and outside of Varsity House! The coaches... care about each member as they are the only member in the gym. Coach Simone is one of the best one-on-one personal trainers I've worked with and I look forward to completing the 6WC and exceeding My goals!read more
Howard Cohen
Howard Cohen
2017-03-14T00:00:57+0000
Stefani Toonkel Greenspan
Stefani Toonkel Greenspan
2017-03-13T23:58:42+0000
Best gym experience! Love the coaches, staff, VH community and the... workouts! I'm always sore in a good way :)read more
Kelseyy Elizabeth
Kelseyy Elizabeth
2017-03-13T23:47:12+0000
Tasha Blasi Pannuzzo
Tasha Blasi Pannuzzo
2017-03-13T23:44:17+0000
Love the community/family feeling, the tough workouts where I feel like a... real athlete, and not needing to sign up for classes!!read more
Jennifer Novembre Cohen
Jennifer Novembre Cohen
2017-03-13T23:33:34+0000
Bernardo Charles
Bernardo Charles
2017-03-12T11:57:42+0000
Kevin Kohan
Kevin Kohan
2017-03-10T16:45:39+0000
Being Gym business owners ourselves we have been to many training... facilities around the country. Varsity House is hands down most knowledgeable, best customer service, and has the top strength and conditioning specialists around! Thank you VH for a great experience at your #businessofstrength mentorship!read more
Matthew Dunn
Matthew Dunn
2017-01-26T23:38:20+0000
Kevin Gregory
Kevin Gregory
2016-12-31T13:23:39+0000
I've worked out at a number of different gyms, but varsity house is... different. Guidance, encouragement and motivation are the traits that set this gym apart from your typical gym. Happy to have made this investment in my healthread more
Kerry Ann Flahive
Kerry Ann Flahive
2016-11-11T03:46:42+0000
Unique training experience that will take you out of your comfort zone... -kick your but and make you glad you came.read more
Anne Reilly
Anne Reilly
2016-10-11T15:36:27+0000
Simone Leta
Simone Leta
2016-10-11T14:17:56+0000
Joe Alsharif
Joe Alsharif
2016-06-01T03:29:04+0000
Jeff Kaplan
Jeff Kaplan
2016-04-27T03:40:06+0000
Joe Alexander
Joe Alexander
2015-11-12T21:20:25+0000
Varsity House
Varsity House
2015-10-16T14:08:30+0000
Chris Brigandi
Chris Brigandi
2015-10-13T12:42:07+0000
Trevor Lang
Trevor Lang
2015-10-07T15:51:53+0000
Best training facility in the country! Built by athletes, for athletes...
Sol Benishay
Sol Benishay
2015-09-03T01:15:53+0000
Billy DeLay
Billy DeLay
2015-08-07T21:29:29+0000
Leslie Skae
Leslie Skae
2015-07-29T18:34:51+0000
BEST gym around! Won't find any other that compares!
Tracy Cohen-Grady
Tracy Cohen-Grady
2015-04-22T10:54:21+0000
Joseph Derienzo
Joseph Derienzo
2015-04-03T22:52:33+0000
Billa Gahunia
Billa Gahunia
2014-10-14T09:49:33+0000
Mitch Vaughn
Mitch Vaughn
2014-06-13T22:42:57+0000
Willie White
Willie White
2014-04-12T13:22:02+0000
Great place for a work out before sleep snore...
Nicholas Rodriguez
Nicholas Rodriguez
2014-04-01T01:39:34+0000
Andrea Rose Ponterotto
Andrea Rose Ponterotto
2014-03-18T13:47:03+0000
Skylar Dennerlein
Skylar Dennerlein
2014-02-19T03:53:15+0000
Ssp Highlights
Ssp Highlights
2014-02-09T18:58:24+0000
Anthony Belfert
Anthony Belfert
2014-01-24T04:04:18+0000
Laura Ciccarelli Plescia
Laura Ciccarelli Plescia
2014-01-16T23:36:21+0000
Mike Sconza
Mike Sconza
2014-01-13T19:22:24+0000
Liam Barry
Liam Barry
2014-01-10T19:31:48+0000
Christian Runza
Christian Runza
2014-01-10T19:07:04+0000
John McVey
John McVey
2013-12-29T17:20:05+0000
Cesar Polo
Cesar Polo
2013-12-25T18:34:16+0000
Geovonnie Ogilvie
Geovonnie Ogilvie
2013-11-14T23:26:16+0000
Kevin Doran
Kevin Doran
2013-11-13T23:31:19+0000
Dan Goodman
Dan Goodman
2013-11-13T17:37:54+0000
Jack Avallone
Jack Avallone
2013-11-13T16:12:24+0000
Jaimie Fox
Jaimie Fox
2013-11-13T14:31:07+0000
Stephen James
Stephen James
2013-11-13T14:03:25+0000
Patrick Mahoney
Patrick Mahoney
2013-09-04T01:58:26+0000
Stacy Vaughn
Stacy Vaughn
2013-08-20T18:42:35+0000
Joseph Lomoriello
Joseph Lomoriello
2013-07-27T00:43:03+0000
Tommy Lewis
Tommy Lewis
2013-07-26T23:04:21+0000
Zachary Rocco
Zachary Rocco
2013-07-23T08:58:53+0000
Next Reviews
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2019 Varsity House Gym · All Rights Reserved ·