Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, recognized as the only “true surfer” president in the world, practices Natural Gymnastics training weekly, his teacher, the young graduate in Physical Education, Maximiliano Zegers, told DUKE.

This form of training has been practiced by some of the world's best surfers; one of the best-known Ginástica centres is in the mecca of surfing, on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, and is that of the Brazilian surfer and coach, Kid Peligro, who among many other athletes was behind John John Florence, two-time world champion and recognised by many as the best surfer today.

In addition, the authority practices Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (better known as DNS, for Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization), a mechanism that stimulates the brain's control centers by activating movements that follow the principle of "how the body was created to move." He also uses Kettlebells, better known as Russian weights, and combines all of this with "different methodologies to complete the workouts," within the framework of an unconventional work mechanism that the 28-year-old professor has been developing.

The results have been satisfactory, says Zegers, who in an interview with DUKE (see below) says that the goal of avoiding injuries and being ready to surf was met: “Although these have been complicated months with everything related to the pandemic, where Luis has not been able to go into the water as he would like, the times he went, he felt very good. He was able to do maneuvers, go for days in a row, do good surfing sessions,” says the teacher.

Lacalle Pou learned about this unconventional training technique on trips and found Zegers after the Uruguayan Surf Union promoted his courses.

The graduate in Physical Education noted that the president comes from a training background “more in the rugby field, in the strength field” and that “he wanted to change his training method a little, mainly focusing on health and maintaining his longevity.”

Last Saturday, Lacalle Pou went to receive his third dose of the Covid vaccine dressed casually, with “Cargo” pants and a T-shirt that had the “Flow Training Studio” logo on the left side.

DUKE contacted the person in charge of the establishment, who said that twice a week they hold sessions of between 75 and 90 minutes at the presidential residence of Suárez and Reyes.

The interview follows below.

We noticed that the president was wearing a t-shirt from your establishment, does he train with you?
Yes, I am really proud that the president wears my business's shirt. Last year the possibility of starting to train with him arose, mainly to improve various physical aspects related to mobility and strength related to surfing.

It is not easy to find a president who likes training. I think he must be one of the few in the world who is also a surfer. So for someone who loves training like me and is also a surfer, it is a great pride.

As we can see, you teach techniques that can be called alternative, such as Natural Gymnastics, is this what he trains with you?
Yes, I am a level 3 Natural Gymnastics instructor. In 2019, I traveled to Porto Alegre to train there. I was the first in our country to bring this Brazilian training method.

Luis works with Natural Gymnastics, but also uses other methods such as DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization), Kettlebells or Russian weights and we also work with different methodologies to complete the different workouts.

Since I graduated in Physical Education, I have been training not only in the field of training but also in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. What I am developing today is my own methodology where I involve many elements of different mechanisms in which I have been training.

Luis' training is well focused on injury prevention and surfing specifics, we also work with breathing methods or breathing methodology.

 

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It is a training technique widely used by surfers. How did the president come to know about it?
Currently, gymnastics and DNS are two methods widely used in specific training for surfers. Surfers such as John John Florence, Filipe Toledo, among many others, have used and currently use this type of training method to complement their physical preparation.

I think the main benefit of this type of training is the possibility of linking movements and the cognitive load they have, that is, they demand great attention, great concentration due to anticipating the next movement.

Gymnastics mainly works on the basis of chaining movements, in which there is a large load of hip mobility, flexibility, demands similar to the sport itself and to what the competition will be.

When I came back from Brazil after studying gymnastics, I made contact with the Uruguayan Surf Union. Through them, the possibility of creating an alliance and showing my work arose, and that's how Luis contacted me and tried the training, something that he had already observed on many trips as a different way of training.

Luis in particular comes from a different training logic that comes more from the place of rugby, from the place of strength work mainly, and he had the desire to change his way of training a little, mainly aiming at health and maintaining his longevity. The latter is a very interesting term that is emerging, but basically it is being able to reach adulthood having the possibilities of doing any sport or anything we want, so that the physique is not a limitation.

"Luis in particular comes from a different training logic that comes more from the place of rugby, from the place of strength work mainly, and he had the desire to change his way of training a little, mainly aiming at health and maintaining his longevity."

For this reason, the training approach is quite different from the traditional approach. Natural Gymnastics falls within what is called non-conventional training, which are alternative techniques to the training models we know.

How is the deal with him?
The treatment is excellent, we have created a very nice relationship. For him, these are moments in which he manages to disconnect from all his activity. He takes it as part of his weekly schedule. For me, as a professional, it is an honor that the president dedicates his time to train with me. We talk a lot and luckily we have a lot of fun.

Many people often point out the president's physical condition. How do you relate this to what he has been doing with you?
Yes, his physical condition is remarkable, and it should be investigated because there must be very few presidents in the world who are concerned about their physical fitness. It is interesting that a president prioritizes his health; he sets a great example of understanding that training should be part of our daily lives, for all people and certainly for those who live with high levels of stress.

"It's interesting that a president prioritizes his health; he sets a great example of understanding that training should be part of our daily lives, for all people and certainly for those who live with high levels of stress."

I think it's a very good example that we have a president who cares about his physical fitness and his health, basically.

In relation to his physical condition and his training with me, we have made great progress, especially in terms of mobility and flexibility. Although these have been difficult months with everything related to the pandemic, where Luis has not been able to go into the water as he would like, the times he went, he felt very good. He was able to do maneuvers, go for days in a row, do good surfing sessions, which was basically the initial objective.

So, yes, his physical condition is related to training and to Gymnastics and this different way of training. He has improved his posture, mobility, he has reduced tensions, therefore, I think that what we are doing is helping him in a great way and I think it is important to understand that the results are part of a path of commitment and that you have to enjoy them.

For my part, I am happy and proud that someone as important as him trusts in my work and supports my work. And it also makes me happy to know that, by doing this, I am providing him with the tools to enjoy what he likes the most, which is surfing.