Rodrigo Manzo is a personal trainer and nutritionist at Doc’s Gym, which is located in Clovis on Herndon and Minnewawa avenues. Manzo, a senior at Fresno State, is studying Dietetics with a minor in Entrepreneurship. He hopes to use his education to open his own practice, a facility where he will provide nutrition and exercise education to the community and others in need.
At 23 years old, Manzo is an Elite RAW 66kg Powerlifter, who is among the top 10 in his weight class for squat, bench press and deadlift in the United States and previously held the deadlift record in California. With an upcoming meet in January 2017, Manzo is looking to set four drug tested California state records and qualify for a national meet. He is a powerlift expert as well as a strength and conditioning proponent. He offers personal training in powerlifting, strength and conditioning, and Calisthenics with customized meal plans and evidence-based nutrition recommendations.
Manzo’s personal life is devoted to helping others live better, healthier lives as well. He works as a Behavior Therapist at the California Autism Center, where he helps children diagnosed with Autism through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tactics and social skills support. Manzo finds special motivation in his work with Autistic children because his younger brother is diagnosed with the disorder.
With over 4 years of experience in nutrition and over 5 in exercise, he is able to provide comprehensive training that emphasizes learning the fundamentals as well as education that is simple and flexible. With his clients, he ensures every individual is able to accomplish and maintain their health and fitness goals.
Manzo put together the following exercise routine that can easily be expanded and built upon. As you get stronger, you can add more sets and repetitions. Depending on how much time you have you can complete as many rounds as you wish, from one to infinity! Ok, maybe not infinity, but four should be good.
Exercise 1:
Bodyweight Squat
– Stand with your feet shoulder width apart
– Place your hands above your head, extend them out in front of you, or do whatever is comfortable and helps you to maintain your balance
– Check that your core is braced and engaged
– Push your hips back, bending your knees as you lower your hips
– Hold position at or below where your thighs are parallel to the ground
– Press upward
– Repeat
Exercise 2:
Push-Up with Rotation
– Get into a push-up position
– Maintain a braced core
– Place your hands shoulder width apart
– Lower yourself and hold for a second
– Maintain a neutral back
– Push upward
– Rotate your body to the side (side plank)
– Raise your hand, lower, and repeat on other side
Exercise 3:
High Knees
– Stand in an athletic stance (feet shoulder width apart)
– Raise one knee to hip level
– Drop same knee
– Repeat with the other knee
– Repeat, alternating between both knees back-to-back