Friday, January 9th, 2009
Pictures and Article: JC

STRONGSIDE TRAINING SYSTEMS
1320 Adobe Drive
Pacifica, Ca. 94044
(650)359-3660
STS-MySpace

I had the opportunity to visit with Chris Stewart from Strongside Training Systems (STS) in Pacifica, California. Having been open for less than a year, the gym has already established itself as a solid place to train.  Professional fighters, Bobby Stack and Nik Theotikos train out of the gym, which is fully equipped for weight training, aerobics, and MMA.

The weight training area is equipped with machines and free-weights, and there is also an individual cardio machine training area. Chris freely boasts that his Agility and Conditioning class is one of the best in the Bay Area.

Circuit Training class consists of strength and resistance-training, and offers a high volume of continuous activity. These classes are frequented by MMA students and fighters alike.

STS also offers exercise through Latin Dance, and ab-blast classes on the weekends. Chris did mention that they are integrating Yoga and Stretch and Flex classes in the near future as well.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS STEWART OF STS.

Download | Duration: 00:13:50

Of course, the gym has a MMA training area, where Chris and other coaches train MMA fighters and enthusiasts alike. This is the focus of the article, Chris and his students as they trained in MMA.

The students were enthusiastic to train and learn new techniques, and Chris was ready to share his knowledge with them. The smaller class size allows him to give very direct instruction to each of his students.

“I have been blessed with being surrounded by a lot of good people, and I’ve had a lot of people help me out in the past, and helped me come up. You know, through my childhood, and through my early adulthood. So it feels good to give back to the community, and give back to some of the younger kids, and some of the younger guys coming up.”
-Chris Stewart

Chris takes a deeper interest in his students, and is willing to work with them on any level. Take Timmy Palengat and Dustin Johnson, for example. Looking to join the Police force, Timmy was nearly 100 pounds away from the mandated weight requirement. Losing 95 pounds in 7 months, Timmy made sacrifices that many young men his age are not willing to make. Timmy buckled down and trained hard with Chris and his training partners, and achieved his goal.

Not only has the hard work paid off with fitness and loss of weight, but also with the respect that Chris has gained for Timmy.

“He is a really outstanding young man as well, really good heart, really good guy."-Chris Stewart on Timmy P.

Dustin Johnson is another hard working student training at STS. Dustin initially came to Chris with concerns about weight as it related to his health. After counseling Dustin, Chris outlined a program of new eating habits, strength, aerobics, and Muay Thai training.

Dustin followed the program with enthusiasm and dedication, and accomplished his first weight loss goal of 50 pounds. Dustin continues his training and has lost an overall weight of 130 pounds. He has not lost his focus on fitness or a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s completely changed these guys, both of their lives. They feel better, they look better…”-Chris Stewart

Chris speaks about the effects of good training and exercise, from the releasing of endorphins, to the sharing of positive energy with others. Chris feels that accomplishing goals can affect the psychology of those who do so. He says that once people realize the inner strength they posses, they are willing to push forward through adversity.

“You come out of here, you feel good, you start thinking more positively. You start attracting positive things, you start attracting positive energies. All the things you thought you were going to be unable to do in the past, now are suddenly within your reach.”-Chris Stewart

A former football player and wake boarder, Chris is no stranger to expectations, competition, and the drive to achieve. He spoke with us about the pressure of owning his own business.

“Basically, everything falls on me, whether it’s good or bad. The mistakes that happen, the really good things that we have happen, it all kind of reflects on me, and I’m the type of guy that sort of feeds on that and likes that.”-Chris Stewart

As a new business owner Chris feels the joy and the sting of entrepreneurship. Time spent away from family is common for many fighters, but as a gym owner, Chris can spend up to 16 hours a day there. Balancing business and family is not as easy task.

Although it has taken him a great effort to arrange his business, Chris has had ample support from family and friends.  
“We had a lot of people putting in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this operation, and getting it going. Without them, I would not be in the position I am today. Especially my wife Michelle, and my son…”-Chris Stewart