Celebrity coach Arnold Aninion Redefines the dad bod

With his clients including Anne Curtis, Mond Gutierrez, Belle Daza and many other celebrities, Arnold Aninion has been making a name for himself in the fitness industry. The rugby player, bodybuilder and coach lives and breathes fitness. It isn’t unusual to see him open and close the gym, and everyone on the floor knows and loves him.

What not many people know about Arnold is that he is very close to his three children who he encourages to get into sports at an early age. He plays rugby and runs with his daughter and coaches his two sons to do well in multiple sports. Arnold is living proof that a “dad bod” can indeed include a six pack and guns. Here’s how he does it.

Philippine STAR: What is a typical day in your life?

Arnold Aninion: A typical day for me would consist of waking up early in the morning for my first session at 7a.m. and I usually finish at around 8 p.m. Fortunately, I get some breaks in between there for some much needed meals and at around 8:30 p.m. I train for around two hours before heading back home to rest. The day goes by really fast and I get to meet and train some outstanding individuals.

Why is working out a priority for you?

Working out is a must. Life will throw may challenges our way and we must be ready to confront these challenges if and when they come. That’s why I always tell my students to stay ready and be prepared for whatever life might throw at them.

It could be your need to run across the road to save someone from being run over or perhaps you need to lift a heavy piece of furniture to help a neighbor. Either way we must all stay ready. I truly feel that you only have one body. Why not cultivate it for the way you want to live? Why not develop it to leave an impression on others, especially your family. To them, I’m their hero.

Are your kids into fitness or sports?

I have three children. The eldest is Arnold Gabriel Aninion Junior or Gabby for short, 11 years old. He enjoys sports. Growing up he enjoyed doing calisthenics with me and running. He also does swimming and judo lessons. He has strong leadership qualities and he commands attention really well.

My second is another boy, Javier Cristiano Aninion, eight years old. Javier loves martial arts and calisthenics, and excels at track and field. He has all the hallmarks of a future super athlete. I can’t wait to introduce my boys to rugby once I’m home more often as they both live in New Zealand and I communicate with them daily via Skype or FaceTime.

My third child is truly the apple of my eye, my little two going on three year old girl Hope Elizabeth Aninion. She lives here in Manila with me and her mom Roxanne Cabanero so she gets to go with me to my rugby training and my rugby games. She loves rugby. Whenever she gets the chance, she will run and kick the ball. I also take her with me to the pool and she is fearless. She always wants to jump in the deep end and I let her so that she can build her self-confidence. She also enjoys running or sitting on my shoulders while I run.

How do you balance time for exercise with family and your busy schedule?

I always make time for family, especially before I leave to work and in between my day. I Skype and FaceTime with my boys living abroad and I take great interest in what they do and offer any advice where appropriate. Above all else I do my best to always listen carefully to what they say and I always celebrate their successes. At the same time, I discuss any failures and encourage them to always build from their mistakes and push their capabilities further every day.  The key is to work according to a schedule as best as you can and to never make a promise you can’t keep.

Are there any times that you bond with your family through fitness?

When I was in New Zealand I played team activities with my sons and I design exercises where they work together and sometimes against one another. I try to cultivate the spirit of competitiveness in the things we do whether its passing a rugby ball or just racing on their bikes up and down a field. Here in Manila I take my daughter to Mckinley Stadium to play with the other kids playing rugby and when we are alone I take her to the pool and teach her how to swim by going through breathing drills and holding her breath before we attempt to go underwater.

What advice would you give other dads who want a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families?

I encourage all dads to structure their day by working to a schedule, If you’re not working then you should be either in the gym or with family spending quality time. It’s possible to have a the body you want, be a success at your work and have an amazing relationship with your children. You simply have to make time and be effective with the time you have.

Just don’t resign to having a “dad bod.” You are your kids first real hero so make them proud. I personally made sacrifices to spend more time with my family by prioritizing the things I needed to do and removing the clutter in my life. I encourage you all to do the same. I realize we all have to make money to support our families but that can’t come at the cost of being a parent first, because you can always make more money but you can’t make more time.

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph. or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.