Interview With Bodybuilder Marc Snyder Interviewed by Ben Tatar of CriticalBench.com - April 2009
CRITICAL BENCH: Marc, welcome to critical bench. Tell us about yourself.
I am a gym owner/personal trainer in Marion, Ohio. I have beautiful wife Angie, and two adorable children Sydnee and Brooklyn. I have worked in all facets of the fitness industry. I have competed at NPC national level bodybuilding shows, I was the former strength and conditioning coach for the Columbus Destroyers, I have done fitness rehabilitative training, and now I run my own gym.
CRITICAL BENCH: What types of people do you train?
I currently train a variety of people from executives, to youth athletes, to amateur bodybuilders and power lifters.
CRITICAL BENCH: I heard you have a question and answer column that we can follow on Critical Bench. Tell us about that.
I like helping people achieve their goals and this is a way for me to reach a large volume of people. I hope to offer advice on training, nutrition, and supplementation to the members of critical bench.
CRITICAL BENCH: Tell us about some of the bodybuilding shows that you won.
The only show I have won my class at was the 2003 Sherman Classic in Michigan. It was my first show, I was 23 and not sure what to expect. I was overweight by 9 pounds the day before the show. I was worried I would not make weight, but I ended up weighing in 2 pounds under and won my class.
CRITICAL BENCH: What was it like competing in the Francois Classic and in the North American? What was it like before the show, during the show and after the show?
I had a lot of fun when I did the '05 Francois. It is such a great show. It is fun and ran very well. Mike takes great care of all of his competitors and runs a super smooth show. The North American was a big step for me. It was my first national level show. I will say that it was a learning experience.
CRITICAL BENCH: How do you motivate your clients?
It all depends on the individual client. Some clients' need that current reinforcement that they are making progress to motivate them, others need to be pushed more vocally. Maybe a reminder they are 5 weeks out from a show.
CRITICAL BENCH: What types of bodybuilders and athletes do you train? What is your favorite part about being a trainer?
Right now I have a couple guys getting ready for local shows. I am also working with a wrestler that placed second at high school state championships 189 class, getting him prepped for college. After that it's a wide variety of clients. The best part about training is seeing the progress. It's seeing the guy gain 20 pounds in last 4 months, or seeing the high school athlete take second at state.
CRITICAL BENCH: Tell us about your diet?
I like to diet. I like to eat the same thing every day. I eat super clean. I have it changed up once a month, rotating foods, playing with different variables. I like learning how different foods work with my body.
CRITICAL BENCH: Give us your workout routine.
I am pretty basic. 5 day split, weights in the am, maybe some cardio and abs in the evening.
I want to continue to build my gym and training facility. I want to help as many people as I can achieve their health and fitness goals.
CRITICAL BENCH: Any funny stories?
The first that comes to mind happened a few years back before I owned my gym. I was managing another fitness facility here in Ohio. I was training a client and saw an older female looking at a preacher curl machine. You could tell that she wasn't sure how to use it. Next thing I know she is kicking her leg up over the arm pad trying to sit on the pad where you place your elbows. I did get a laugh out of that.
CRITICAL BENCH: Any training stories that you would like to share?
Too many good ones!
CRITICAL BENCH: What is it about bodybuilding that you love?
I love the dedication that it takes. I like the fact that it requires effort 100% of the time. You can lift all you want, but it comes down to what you do out of the gym with your diet, sleep, and other activities.
CRITICAL BENCH: What is it about strength and athletic type training that you love?
I think everyone gets a rush from heavy training, challenging themselves whether it is to do something more agile and faster, or lift something heavier.
CRITICAL BENCH: Tell us about the gym that you are a trainer at.
As I said previously my wife and I own the gym here in Marion Ohio. It is a 16k sq ft facility. It is called Snyder Athletics Gym and Performance Training. We pride ourselves in providing the most conducive atmosphere in Marion for an individual to accomplish their health and fitness goals.
CRITICAL BENCH: How did you get so ripped?
Who says I am ripped?
CRITICAL BENCH: What are some tips for building that ultimate physique?
Consistency between diet, training and rest.
CRITICAL BENCH: What are your top tips for athletic training?
Same as for achieving the physique.
CRITICAL BENCH: What are your biggest don'ts in bodybuilding and strength training?
Stay away from gimmicks. Stick with the basics.
CRITICAL BENCH: How do your clients perceive you and how do you want them to remember you?
I hope my clients perceive me as a strait forward goal oriented trainer, as well as a friend.
CRITICAL BENCH: In closing, who would you like to thank?
I thank my family (mom, dad, wife and kids) for putting up with me through my dieting and what some would perceive as a different lifestyle. I also thank them for always being there for me whether it be through getting ready for a show or trying to get the gym off the ground.
CRITICAL BENCH: Tell us about the gym that you are a trainer at.
