Meet A Hard Working Garage Gymmer - Steve Peterson

What’s Your Name? 

Steve Peterson

Do you have a name for your gym? 

Gimnasito Pura Vida (translated: “Little Pura Vida Gym,” b/c the original “Gimnasio” is the one I started in Tenancingo, Mexico)

Tell us a little about yourself - what you do when you aren’t lifting, what are your other hobbies, etc. 

I pastor a church & am a husband & dad, so I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies.  Crossfit & Kettlebell Sport, then, are my main hobbies.

 What made you decide to create the best garage gym ever? 

I was content w/ a simple, very Spartan home gym, but I’ve been buying a lot more equipment lately since I started training my son (he’s 14), and now some of his school friends.

What gear do you have in your gym? 

About 28 kettlebells (from 10-70lbs); 3 Wonder Bars, about 600# of plates & another 300# of Fringe Sport bumpers; a DIY squat rack & several DIY pull-up bars; 2 Fringe Sport foam plyo boxes; a Roman Chair & a treadmill. 

When did you become part of the Fringe Fam? What was your first Fringe purchase? 

I found Fringe Sport a few years back.  I bought a Wonder Bar first.  Now I have three, plus two foam plyo boxes, several FS kettlebells & many of your bumper plates.  I think I should now be eligible for a “frequent shopper” award!

What’s your favorite gear that you use all the time? 

My kettlebells.  They’re so versatile, and even go w/ me when I travel. 

What gear do you never use? 

Nautilus style equipment.  I agree w/ Pavel Tsatsouline that they develop false strength that isn’t functional.

What was your best gear purchase? 

From Fringe Sport, the Wonder Bar (2^nd gen).  In kettlebells, the ones I produced in a foundry in Lerdo, Mexico.  The Fringe Sport KBs are great, also, but mine (obviously) have great sentimental value. 

What gear purchase do you wish you would have said “NO” to? 

Nothing comes to mind.  I’m pretty frugal & shrewd w/ my purchases.  I have a bogus oly bar, but it came w/ a set of plates & only cost me $150—so the plates alone were worth the price.  The bogus bar sits in a corner, as I only use the Wonder Bars.

What’s your favorite workout? 

A 10 min. AMRAP of non-stop KB Snatches, with only one hand switch.  It’s a competition set in Kettlebell Sport.  It’s 10 minutes of self-inflicted torture but gives fantastic results.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Two from Jeff Martone, my KB coach: “Work out as hard as you can, as often as you can, staying as fresh as you can.”  And, “If you’re going to be stupid, you’d better be tough (and I’ve got the scars to prove it).” 

What advice would you give to newbie garage gymmers? 

Invest.  Invest in your health.  Invest in solid equipment (go w/ Fringe Sport).  Invest in getting solid training so you do it right and do it well. 

Drop you IG, You Tube, or any other social media handles here if you’re good with us sharing! 

I’m old school, so just e-mail me if you want to talk about kettlebell training & workout ideas.  Puravidasports09@gmail.com

Thanks to Steve using what little spare time he has and sharing his fantastic, not so little, garage gym with us and all the Fringe Fam!  If you want to see your garage gym featured on our blog and email, reach out to team@fringesport.com and say "Feature my Garage Gym and make me a star!"