Pietro Gianni is not only a SculptHouse member but also our next door neighbor as co-owner of Storico Fresco – “a true Italian Alimentari e Ristorante!” Pietro has been coming 3-4 times a week for the past two months and his results are pretty amazing. Here he is to tell you his story and how SculptHouse has helped change his body and fitness level:
As a restaurant owner you probably have a very busy schedule! How do you fit your workouts in?
I tend to rotate my schedule around my fitness classes, not the other way around, as that’s the priority. SH’s app is so easy to use, I can book my classes and make sure early on there are no conflicts with work. I always tell everyone to book their classes the week prior and stick to them as much as possible.
What is it about SculptHouse that changed you from a class-by-class client to an unlimited member? How has SH changed your body?
SH is addictive! The results come so quickly, especially working where I lacked training most such as core and lower back, that was a quick fix to my personal issues. Becoming an unlimited member was a natural solution, going 3 to 4 times a week made it a no brainer to choose that package, also I don’t ever stress about how many classes I take and being an unlimited member motivates me to go more than ever.
How do you stay in such great shape with all of that Italian food (and wine!) around you all day?
Good question!! I was quite heavier a few years back and learned to eat several small meals through the day. Working inside a restaurant environment doesn’t allow for the classic 2 meals a day anyways, so I’ll eat at 8 and 11am, then a light late lunch after lunch service, again a small dinner on the early side and a healthy snack before bed. That keeps my metabolism always active, and yes, a couple glasses of wine a day is part of the reason why Italians hold such longevity records!!
What would you tell another guy about his hesitation to try SculptHouse?
Guys this is an amazing and very complete work-out!! SH allows for everyone to get to your “sweet spot” pretty quickly. Adding both Megaformer springs and harder Curve running objectives to your personal needs as you progress is very satisfying. While SH is mostly frequented by very fit ladies, we guys also need firmer booties, hind legs and being a bit more “ripped”, which never hurt anyone!!
How is the SculptHouse method different than any other group class you’ve experienced?
The main difference for me is the core exercises. I’ve never experience such a dramatic change in my lower chest to glut areas with other workouts. The real benefit of SH is balance, you get the right exercise in all those smaller muscles we ignore in our regular running or gym exercises and it shows very fast.
What is your favorite M3 move? Favorite Curve block?
My favorite M3 move is anything that regards core (abs, lats, planks, etc.) mostly mermaids where I have discovered parts of my body that I simply didn’t know were there at all! As for the Curve, especially with the recent “upgrade” in levels, being a runner I #neverstoprunning. Whether it’s active recovery or level 1 I’m jogging lightly, never walking, level 2 is a solid run, level 3 is running at my top speed, and finally level 4 is give it all you have for those few seconds! My favorite Curve block is the 20 second interval 2’s, 3’s and 4’s.
Can you tell us a little about your running history and how the Curve treadmill has made you a “born-again runner?”
I used to run 20/25 miles a week, basically hurting everywhere!! Lower back issues, joints, flabby back side and all that comes with running only. The Curve is an amazing alternative to running outdoors as it pushes the entire back part of our gluts and legs. I’ve never experienced a back pain since starting SH.
I now run half the mileage I used to run at SH (hence preserving my back and joints) but am burning more total calories and have finally achieved a much firmer hind and hamstrings than ever. The Megaformer really pushes those legs, and yes I’ll sometimes wake up with a healthy pain in my muscles, but never anything I can’t shake off the next day. Added plus is a perfectly air-conditioned environment all year round with cold water and towels always available.
Your restaurant is frequented by SH employees and members alike. What is in season right now and on the menu (and drink menu!) that you would suggest for someone watching their diet?
Funny thing to talk about. I believe in carbs more than ever, pasta is an amazing resource for exercising, it’s our fuel!! We only use unbleached, non GMO imported flours for our dishes and we grow all our greens thanks to amazing farms like Mcmullan Family farms. Our pasta is filled with great cheeses and veggies, while our fresh cuts are always prepared with farm grown produce that is only an added bonus to our diet. We also pay particular attention to our many salads and veggie platters, we always choose the best possible produce that’s available and seasonal.
As for drinks, our wines are only Italian, we spent months choosing the best of the best, and we serve even the simplest white wine by the glass at optimum temperature, something we are very proud of.
Feel free to add anything else below:
SH just like Storico Fresco is one big big family. When I go to SH I know every instructor by first name just like they know mine, they are always jumping in to correct me when I’m doing something wrong in the sweetest of ways. It’s no joke when we all talk about going to “the House” for our workouts, it truly is a second home full of people who really care about what they are doing and how they are bettering the everyday life of their guests. Being neighbors is the ultimate mega perk. We all exercise in order to feel and look better but also to be able to eat and drink great food all year round…. And one cannot go without the other!