Jason Muscles Up at The Tinonee Tough House!
VERVE Squad member Jason Goodwin reveals how time-efficient and purposeful training has transformed his body and mind and gives an insight into his home gym.
Q. What led you to create your home gym?
I have always had an interest in sport and bettering myself through competition – especially team sports. I thoroughly enjoyed pushing myself to be better for my mates in my team. It provided me with a great 'why' for training when I was younger, as I didn't want to let my teammates down.
Most importantly, team sports provide mateship and a support network in your immediate community, vital. Once I became a father and needed to be home and present much more often, I needed to change.
I have cut out travel time by having a home gym, waiting around for equipment, and completing my purposeful and efficient training. I also like to be a role model for my daughter, train with her, and lead by example. My daughter is my 'why' and inspires me and reminds me to be the best version of myself every day, and I recognise that physical training is a massive aspect of improving myself. The better I am, the better the world is for my family.
Q. You mention mental health. Tell us more about that?
Everyone experiences ups and downs with their wellbeing and mental health, and I am certainly no different. I have recognised that for me, the fitter I am, the more composed, patient and calm I am as a parent and teacher in stressful and tiring situations.
It is crucial for me to model and create positive behaviours so that my home environment and the classroom are relaxed and safe places for my family and students regardless of my stress levels. Tough times don't last, but tough people do. That's something I like to remind myself of regularly.
Being part of the garage gym/fitness community has allowed me to build and maintain a support network with people in my immediate community to train together and worldwide through social media.
Q. What type of training do you focus on?
As Louie Simmons states, "weak things break", so I mainly focus on training that improves my strength and power. Over the years, I have used various programs, including Marcus Fily's base camp, which had a great time under tension. I've also used Dr John Rusin's functional power training, which incorporates the conjugate method used by Westside Barbell, Sonny Webster's strength series, which includes Olympic lifting and most recently, the PRVN strength program.
I like to throw in the odd CrossFit WOD to keep me excited and interested in training when repeated squatting and so on becomes a grind.
Q. How has a home gym changed your life?
Having a home gym has allowed me to be home more often and more present with my family. Instead of having to drive to and from the gym and wait around for other people to finish with broken equipment, I can just walk into my home gym and train.
If my wife needs me, I am still on hand, and my training is more time-efficient and purposeful. It also allows me to share my love for fitness with my family instead of feeling excluded.
Q. How often do you use your home gym?
As a father and full-time teacher, I train whenever the opportunity is available. Sometimes it is late at night when my family is asleep or early in the morning. More recently, it has been with my daughter while my pregnant wife has a rest. I try to get into the tough house four times a week. The best moments are when we have all been able to enjoy training together.
Q. Does your home gym inspire other members in your household?
I wouldn't say the home gym inspires anyone but more what happens in the inspirational home gym. I know people who have home gyms that aren't inspired at all, and it's collecting dust — a true tragedy.
My home gym – the Tinonee Tough House – is a functional space where I can change myself for the better and inspire my family, friends and others in the community.
Q. How has your home gym impacted your level of fitness?
I'm leaps and bounds ahead of where it used to be. My training has changed dramatically. I am more focused, my goals are more specific, and I am more knowledgeable than I have ever been in my life. I am now in the fittest place I have ever been (both mentally and physically), and I am 34 years old.
Q. How often do you work out in your gym?
Roughly four times a week is my goal, but commitments can influence that occasionally. Working full time and being a parent makes this hard, but I try to stick to this number as often as possible, even if it means training late at night or early in the morning.
Q. What are your top three pieces of equipment?
• The first is the VERVE Commercial Power Rack with a set of power arms for the safety and versatility they provide to my training.
• Second would be the VERVE Elite barbell and bumper plates as you can't squat, deadlift or bench without them.
• And third, a heavy sandbag or dead ball to just pick up and throw around. An often-underrated piece of equipment that is also versatile.
Q. What does it mean to you to be part of the VERVE Squad?
It is an honour. It is great to see so many people making fitness a priority in their life. Everyone seems to set their spaces up slightly differently and emphasise other equipment, making their spaces unique. The VERVE Squad is still relatively new and has so much potential, which excites me. A very inspirational space at the moment.
VERVE Zen Power Rack
$1,399
$2,199
The VERVE Zen Power Rack is the greatest Power Rack we've built. It now comes with a heavy duty safety strap system, laser cut numbering on a premium powder coating and sandwich j-hooks as standard included in the box. It is the most… read more
VERVE Elite Olympic Barbell - Black - 20kg
$499
$549
We started with an ultra-strong 210k PSI steel to ensure it can handle all your demands. Instead of 4, 6 or 8 needle bearings, we engineered the bar to accommodate 10 needle bearings to provide you with an impeccable spin… read more
VERVE BE> Olympic Colour Bumper Plates
$119
$169
VERVE BE> (Be Greater Than) Colour Bumper Plates have been rigorously tested by coaches and athletes and are suitable for any type of workout. The stainless steel inserts fit tightly on all Olympic size barbells. Created from durable 100% rubber, the VERVE bumper plates are designed… read more
VERVE Strongman Sandbags
$89
$99
VERVE Strongman Sandbags The VERVE Strongman Sandbags offer a flexible and easy to transport alternative to heavy balls and stones. Loadable sand bags are provided empty and require clean dry sand to fill the inner bags and must be filled to… read more
High Grip Dead Balls / Slam Balls
$25
$35
VERVE High Grip Dead Ball The VERVE High Grip Deadball is built to be punished. Specifically designed with even the harshest of treatment in mind, the dead Balls are made with extra thick rubber casing for durability, textured surface… read more
