By Pierrot Baptiste Jr.
John Brassard prepares to enter the YMCA gym. Brassard lifts at this gym five days a week.
Before getting started, Brassard dips his hands in the chalk provided by the gym. "I always try to get some before I lift, it helps me maintain my grip and guides against sweat," Brassard said.
Brassard sits as he prepares to warm up. Brassard cites the warm-up stage as the foundational part to lifting.
Brassard benches the bar before adding weight plates. He says this is to get him in the swing of things before adding actual weight.
Brassard cycles through various plates as he is ready to begin his workout. Brassard says he lifts in his free time from work and school.
Brassard begins his bench press. Brassard began lifting consistently in the 2020 summer.
Brassard strains as he lifts. Brassard cites the bench press as his favorite station, due to his form and ability to lift the most weight at this station of all the stations in the gym.
Brassard finishes a bench press rep. "One of my biggest things with lifting is staying committed to the process in order to see progress in the end," Brassard said.
After moving from the bench press, Brassard moves on to the chest press. Brassard says lifting helps him with both his physical and mental health because it acts as an escape from the world at times.
Brassard extends on the chest press machine. "I like being able to work out almost every muscle and distribute the gains evenly," Brassard said.
After moving from the chest press, Brassard works out on a cable machine. On gym days, Brassard spends about two hours at most at his local YMCA gym.
Brassard pulls down the bar on the lat pulldown machine. Depending on the muscle group and intensity he works, Brassard says he doesn't feel much soreness outside of leg days.
Brassard executes a pull-up. Brassard says the gym has become a bit of a safe haven for him against the stressors of life.
Brassard strains as he completes a bicep curl. Brassard says one of his main goals when he began his fitness journey was to add more strength.
Brassard weighs himself after he finishes lifting. Brassard says he's put on about 20 pounds of muscle in 2022.
Brassard raises up to shoot a basketball. After finishing his workout, Brassard headed upstairs to shoot some hoops.
Brassard prepares to lay the ball up. Basketball has been a part of Brassard's life from a young age, as he began playing at eight years old.
Brassard shoots a jump shot. After working out, Brassard usually shoots hoops or heads home and showers.
Brassard follows through on a jump shot. Brassard plays on the intramural leagues at Georgia Southern.
Brassard looks on as he shoots his last shot before leaving. "I think the best part of the entire process is seeing the progress you've made versus where you've come from at the beginning," Brassard said.
