Posted: September 16, 2011
Those are Kevin Kordek’s arms. |
We’re not talking about the muscular pair attached to his body. |
There’s that bulging set of biceps that adorn the statue of legendary Virginia Beach fitness guru John Wareing that stands at 17th Street and the Boardwalk.
Kordek, CEO and president of A-Active Termite and Pest Control in Virginia Beach, posed as the “perfect model” to capture Wareing’s arms.
The rest of the 6-foot, 200-pound Kordek is in pretty good shape, too, thanks to a rigorous five-day-a-week exercise regimen at – where else? – Wareing’s Gym.
Kordek celebrated his 50th birthday in July by hitting the gym for a two-hour workout with his wife, Mary Beth.
“I would have worked out longer,” said Kordek, “but I had cracked some ribs a few days before and was in a lot of pain. I love working out. The gym has always been my escape and gives me a chance to get my thoughts together for the day.”
To say that Kordek grew up in a gym wouldn’t be much of a stretch. He began “hanging out” in gyms pumping iron when he wasn’t much past 11 years old.
“My brother was older and on the football team, and I’d come with him to weightlifting and conditioning workouts. Fitness just became a part of my life.”
A native of Philadelphia, Kordek grew up in Chantilly, a D.C. suburb that was country back then. He played left defensive tackle in high school and linebacker at Frostburg State before transferring to James Madison University, where he received his degree.
“I wanted to drop out and marry Mary Beth,” he said. “She said, ‘No way. If you want to marry me, you better have a degree.”‘
They have three children. Kevin, 23, is pursuing his doctorate in math at Duke, Elizabeth, 21, is a junior at Old Dominion University and Brian, 19, is a sophomore at George Mason University.
Kordek, who describes himself as “an entomologist who’s been chasing bugs for 25 years,” moved to Hampton Roads in 1995 when he bought A-Active Termite and Pest Control. The company has grown to more than 40 employees.
A Wareing’s guy through and through (“Going to another gym would be like cheating on my wife”), Kordek starts his Mondays with a butt-kicking workout with trainer Chris Ullom that sets the pace for the week.
“That way, there is no way I’m going to get complacent during the week,” he said.
Recently, Kordek talked about his “other set of arms,” fitness and diet.
What was it like being the model for John Wareing’s statue?
Obviously, it was a great honor. He was such a pioneer in fitness. Posing was also a heck of a workout. It took about two days and I had to hold a pose for hours. If you want a great workout, try it.
What do you do on that Monday workout?
I’ve been doing it for seven years with Chris. I don’t think any two workouts have been the same, but I know that he’ll push me to the brink. There’s a lot of cardio and flutter kicks for the abs. Then, I might throw a 20-pound ball against the wall and do a series of sprints for a half-hour on a bike, 30 seconds in the seat and 30 seconds standing up. Stuff like that.
Yikes. The rest of the week must seem easy. What is that like?
Tuesdays and Thursdays are mainly cardio days. I put on my headphones and get on the treadmill and the cross trainer. I try to push pretty hard. My goal is to burn 1,000 calories. Wednesdays is a big weight day and Friday is sort of a “free for all.”
What about weekends?
I do yard work and things around the house. I can’t sit around very long. I have to be doing something.
What is the best thing you get out of your training?
There are the physical benefits, of course. But I think it’s discipline and the structure it gives me for my whole life. If you work out hard, you are not going to get complacent in other areas of your life.
Are you still crawling under houses to chase down bugs, so you have to be in top shape?
(Laughs.) I was crawling under houses up to about five years ago. Now, I leave that to others but I’ve probably been under 10,000 houses in my career. Working out helps me so much mentally on the job. You can’t be fit and have a screwed-up mind. The two go together.
You love going to the gym. What makes it so special?
You feel like part of a family, especially at Wareing’s. You become friends with the people. There is just a great camaraderie.
Do you inhale food?
(Laughs.) Oh, I wish. As my trainer Chris says, you can’t out-train a bad diet. I used to be a cookie hound, especially around the holidays, and I’d pick up a fast 10-20 pounds that it would take until April to lose.
So, what’s your diet like?
I have learned that sugar is the villain. I try to stay away from sugar as much as I can and eat in moderation. I usually start the day with oatmeal and have a turkey wrap for lunch and some fruit or cottage cheese in the afternoon before dinner. The idea is to eat five to six times daily, just in smaller proportions.
Are you a guy who tries to pass on your love of fitness to your employees?
Absolutely. Not long ago, we brought in a trainer to work with our administrative staff. It was two sessions a week for six weeks. The increase in productivity was amazing. The return on the investment was so good, we are going to do it again.
What are your goals for the future?
To keep doing what I am. There are so many people who inspire me. Guys like Bill Dasher, a member of Wareing’s “Over the Hill Gang.” He’s about 86 and comes to the gym three days a week. I want to be like those guys.
via: http://insidebiz.hamptonroads.com/news/inside-fitness-working-out-kevin-kordek
