THE FANS INSPIRATION STORIES: PAGE 1

LAST UPDATED- Dec 4th, 1999: Just below is all the fans who have submitted something to me that have been inspired by Sylvester Stallone to workout and live a healthier life. Everything is very easy to follow and understand, and remember this is what works best for them, in no way is this meant to be the proper way to train or diet and should not be used as a guide. If you want to try out other methods in your workout as the fans have used than go for it! Results will also vary depending on the person. If you want to submit your own story or just change, report your progress or want people to know your goals, send them in too. Well anyway, keep reading and enjoy! I know I really enjoyed reading these stories of inspiration! -Chris Murphy

JL-While I don't workout at a gym, I did develop a workout routine a few years ago that I do at home thanks mostly to being a Stallone fan. I usually workout 3 times a week using dumbells, an abroller, hand grips, treadmill or sometimes a stationary bike. Once in a while I even workout with a heavy bag. Plus before I workout I do about 10 minutes worth of stretching and 20 pushups. My routine's pretty good for me since I'm basically just aiming for the lean and sculpted look, rather than the big and super muscular look. And usually when I lose the motivation to continue on with my workouts all I have to do is watch either a Rocky or Rambo film and then I find myself with the desire again.

Bill Pruitt (LosAngeles)- Hi Chris, here is my Sly inspirational story... It all started back in Nov. of 1976 when my parents dragged me and younger brother with them to see a movie called "Rocky". I was 12 years old and I'll tell you, that movie changed my life. I've never felt better leaving a movie theatre as I did Rocky. I was so pumped up after the movie I remember coming home that night and literally doing several one handed push-ups and even the next day at school during band class to show off. Out of nowhere comes this guy Stallone - ever since Rocky I followed his career and it got me interested in working out and staying in shape. Rocky was probably one of the most positive experiences in my life. And then later on in life I came to appreciate Stallone more after reading that he held out and wouldn't sell the script to have someone else play Rocky - that's a movie script itself. To this day I work out and eat healthy all because Sly set the foundation. I'm an artist and every once in a while I'll pull out a Rocky movie and watch it to get inspiration for a painting - not necesarrily a Stallone painting (I've done several of him and sold him 6 paintings). (All shown in Sly's Gym art page) But to just motivate me and get my creative juices flowing. In fact, to this day when I see the training montage or the fight scene (14th and 15th rounds) in Rocky, I still get chills. Also, the music by Bill Conti to me is a HUGE part of the Rocky saga. When I work out in my apartment, I more than likely will put on a Rocky soundtrack to motivate me and it works. It's funny, but I don't get tired of it after all these years. For variety, I'll put on some "Rambo"soundtrack music which is also good by Jerry Goldsmith. I work out in the style of an early Rocky Balboa (or even Rocky IV). I use cinderblocks and place a steel bar between them and do a variety of exercises from curls to bench presses on a milk crate to military presses to squats. To add weight, I just place small red bricks in the spaces in the cinder blocks. I also have dumbbells and a pull-up/dip aperatus I use. With what I have, I can work every muscle in my body. I've been using this method for about the past 7 years. I started doing it for economic reasons and I still do it and don't get bored with it 'cause I change my exercises in each workout (for each body part) - I don't need all those sophisticated machines and equipment in a gym because this method works for me. I also do powerwalking with weights which is very good aerobically. As far as diet goes, I eat alot of tuna fish and fruits and vegetables. I'm lucky because I have a fast metabolism (naturally) but I believe that's it's also attributed from working out consistently all these years. Also, I pretty much eat when I'm hungry (except real late at night) and I eat all the time - constantly throughout the day - that speeds up the metabolism too. That's pretty much it in a nutshell. That's how Sylvester Stallone has impacted my life in which I think is a very positive way.

KENNY NG (Singapore)-Well, it all started back in 1984...when I was 19 years old and still studying in a Technical Institute in Singapore. One day, in one of the lecture theatres, they had a free screening of 'Rocky'. I got inspired seeing Rocky train. The next Stallone film I watched would be Rambo : First Blood Part II. I was amazed at the transformation of his physique. I got interested in bodybuilding then..but never got to start it. I was also interested in Stallone movies and I watched them in any means I can, First Blood, then Rocky II Rocky III, IV and V. RAMBO III (wow!), Demolition Man. Watching all these movies left something in my mind..how I wish I had a body like stallone... The one thing that never happen though is that I never got on to training my body..not until September 1998. I was getting flabby and out of shape (but not overweight ) and I knew I had to do something about it and the thought of stallone being able to train his body to such a fantastic physique while in his middle age really inspired me. If he can do it..so can I..(though now I know it's not that easy..but I'm getting at it) I started hunting for inspiration...found a few sites in the internet on bodybuilding, weight training and nutrition, but I needed more than that. I started searching the web for stallone..hoping to get some tips on his training and nutrition. What else could be better if one could train with techniques from the man himself? I've found sites like "Stallone Zone",."The Ultimate Stallone Page" but your site "Sly Gym" is sctually what I was looking for. Since then I have come to your site everyday..to look at the pictures... you know... to get my daily doses of inspiration. I really appreciate your site. I've even printed out a color picture (the shot of RAMBO III just before he went in for the stick fight) and stick it up on the wall near my desk so that I knew what I'm training for. Before I started training..I am 5 ft 7 and weighing at 62 kgs. I'm not overweight but theres just too much loose meat in my body. 1 year later now...I weigh in at a weight of 66 kgs and with a leaner body. I must admit I have not achieve a body like stallone yet but I'm getting there..and by looking at his pcitures everyday..I knew what I would be training for. I train a miniumum of 3 times a week..covering 2 body parts each workout....I'm currently taking a protein supplement from Next Nutrition called Designer Protein. Since I started training in Sept. 98...I've seen some transformation in my physique..and so have my colleagues. My weight has gone up from 62 kg to 66 kg..and that is including the body fat loss.. so I'm quite satisfy with it.