Health Talk: 10 Questions With Marco Safakhoo

by Sean Boone

Marco Safakhoo is the founder of Nabard Fitness Systems in Pensacola. In 1983 he brought his art of Nabard to the United States, and by using his expertise in martial arts combat, created a Log Training regimen to challenge the body to its full potential.

IN: Tell me a little bit about your Log Training workout and what it takes to get the most out of exercising.
Safakhoo: To teach my combat art Nabard, I have to get people in shape and turn them into athletes. However, the fitness industry lacked the necessary equipment and routines, so I created what I needed.
I chose to use natural elements such as rocks and timber-logs. To increase the complexity of movements I fitted timber-logs with the custom handles.
I then offered the training to my students, who range in age from 12 to 75 years old.

IN: What are some easy ways to get back into exercising for people who don’t have a lot of time?
Safakhoo: There are 24 hours in a day. It’s a matter of how you choose to spend them. There are no short-cuts or easy fixes when it comes to maintaining good health. If you choose to exercise, the right way is to exercise for the sake of exercising; the wrong way is to exercise as a diet. Attitude is very important. If you have negative feelings associated with exercise, you must change those before you can enjoy the rewards of health.

IN: Do you have any recommended routines or workout machines?
Safakhoo: Fitness machines have their place, but not in a raw natural routine. Machines of any sort are designed to make our lives and work easier; the last thing I want my workouts to be is easier. Raw natural fitness is best for a raw natural body. A routine must work within the body’s limitations while adjusting to one’s increasing capabilities.

IN: Why is fitness your passion?
Safakhoo: Fitness is my passion because I love life. Fitness and health should be everyone’s first love. To be healthy and fit is to love one’s self and celebrate life as we were intended to. Life is constantly in motion. Fitness is the way to move with purpose and feel alive.

IN: What makes a good fitness trainer?
Safakhoo: I’ve never understood why someone seeking fitness would expect results from hiring an out-of-shape personal trainer; talk about the blind leading the blind. A fitness trainer is a fitness leader and must be capable and competent to lead.
 
IN: How do you balance cardio and strength training?
Safakhoo: A good exercise offers cardio and strength training as well as a proper mental challenge.

IN: Which is more important?
Safakhoo: Neither is more important than the other. They are equally important and should not be viewed as separate forms of exercise. Just because we know the scientific difference of each does not mean that they are mutually exclusive.

IN: How many times a week should a person work out?
Safakhoo: Ultimately, our bodies are happiest if we give them daily physical challenge. However, any amount of exercise is better than no exercise. For beginners I suggest at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week. The intensity and quality of the workout is more important than the frequency of use.

IN: What are some good foods to enhance working out and fat burning?
Safakhoo: The only healthy foods are the ones produced by the earth, such as nuts, vegetables, fruits and fish. Many of my favorite raw foods such as garlic, lemon and ginger contain special fat-burning enzymes and minerals, and there are even some foods which increase energy and decrease appetite naturally.
 
IN: Are sports drinks worth the calories?
Safakhoo: Not only are they not worth the calories, but they aren’t worth all the chemicals they contain either. Water is always the best and most natural thing to quench a body’s thirst.
 
sean@inweekly.net