Fittest Guys in America

Ryan Sheckler - Pro Skateboarder

MF: What's your perspective on fitness for skateboarding?
I skate a lot with my shirt off, so working out has always been important to me. I almost have as much fun working out as I do skating. And seeing your body change, and seeing yourself get bigger and more toned and cut, makes a big difference in how you feel about yourself. As of right now I'm working out three times a week and it's fun.

How did you first get into working out?
Where I'm from, San Clemente, California, there are a lot of high school football players and big kids—fit kids—that are into training. I saw kids getting big and I wanted to get big. I started lifting weights and I got strong. It's a great feeling when people look at you and say, 'Wow, you've been going to the gym.' My dad is huge, and I look up to him when it comes to training—I don't want to be as big as him, but I want to get jacked.

Does partying ever get you off track for staying fit and skating?
No, I have my priorities straight, and I always have. I am a skateboarder and to stay fit for skating I have to stay away from a lot of things. I go to parties and that's fun for me, but between skating and lifting and everything, I know what I have to do the next day, so I'm very conscious about my schedule and keeping it.

What are the biggest physical challenges for you in your sport?
For me, the reason I keep working out and want to get bigger and focus on staying fit is because when you do fall its easier to tighten up and not get hurt. I also wrestle and that helps me a lot with taking a fall. A lot of what I do at the end of they day are things that will help me to not get hurt.

What are some of the things you can do to prepare for competition season?
It's definitely training. It's making sure my cardio's right, making sure I'm satisfied with how I look and being able to roll out of a fall — that takes a lot of stress off my plate.

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