Phil Plath was born in Walnut Creek, eleven years later his wife was born in the same hospital. He graduated from HMB High School in 1980, graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1984 with a BA in Economics, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in1986 with a MS in Public Management snd Policy. He has been a Certified Personal Trainer 1994 to present. Why a personal trainer? He needed time to train for a bicycle race. He has an impressive racing resume, including a Guinness World Record for a human powered vehicle, multi rider.
Today’s presentation is Your Body is a Genius. He started with a story about Irwin sewing up Michael Powers’ head after he crashed his kayak. Ever since then, Michael’s had a little tow. He also had a story about Warren, but it’s really about Warren’s older brother.…I’m going to tell you about a party. Four generations in attendance and a 90 year old grandmother says to Phil “I wish I were stronger”, then she used her walker to walk down the hall to the bathroom. The thing he wants to do today is inspire us to get our body a little better, just a little more work will make a difference. Strength is the base of the good, healthy life pyramid. Note that we expend less energy than our forbearers, our bodies want to work harder. It’s as if each of us has 40 domestics working for us compared to 200 years ago. Our bodies are missing that exertion. Aches and pains are part of life—strength will help. We feel that our bodies are betraying us, perhaps we are also betraying our bodies. Find an appetite for working out. Weight training is something everyone benefits from. Progressive weight training—everyone can benefit by it, if you are doing it correctly. You can’t get a better camera than your eyes, there isn’t a better pump than our heart, the processing systems in our cardiovascular system can’t be beat. Our brain is the best computer. We need to maintain. Email Phil at cycleplath@yahoo.com to get a great reading list. He has several clients over 80 years old, weight training is helping them.
Irwin, I hate gyms, I mountain bike and need to be outside, I mountain bike and kayak, how does that measure up? That works to a point. He cited the Weight Watchers’ story, stick to the diet and lose weight. ‘You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it.” Need to mimic the activities of the old days. Do yourself a favor, get in the weight room, short-term exposure.
How often to go to the gym? Do an hour of brisk cardio per week and twice a week with weights. Need recovery time of 2 to 3 days. Recovery takes longer as we age.
Life expectancy is going up, how does strength training fit in? Many of the things people died of have been resolved, such as diseases. The statistics from the old days also included infant deaths. Actuaries are saying that if you’ve lived healthy to 65, you have a good chance of living another two or three decades.
Tell about the Guinness Book of Records—part of that story is what happens when we die. According to Keanu Reeves, what happens when we die is the people who love us miss us. Getting into the Guinness Book is complicated—there are forms, judges, etc. They got in the speed record for human-powered vehicles. He was that guy on the recumbent bike pedaling around the coastside a while back. To improve speed, engineering students want to streamline you with a carbon-fiber shroud. There is a road in Nevada that would be closed to traffic so knuckleheads could start 5 miles away on a flat road and hit the speed trap—got speeds around 75 in the 1990s, eventually a rider got to 89 mph. He was in a two-person bike and achieved 73 mph. Had an accident in it at 50 mph. He remembered an article in motorcycle magazine from 35 years ago that recommended staying still after a crash to avoid making injuries worse. So he made sure to stay still, in the dead bug position, he went through the checklist, legs okay, head okay… Someone submitted them for the record, they still don’t who.
Not a fan of e-bikes. They will get you to the top of the hill, but the descent skills are often not adequately developed.
Workouts, what is your split? Twice a week is good. He does Monday, Tuesday—Thursday, Friday.
Besides weight training, what other exercise is good? Pilates and others are fine, movement is important. Anything else is good, but weight training is best.
Issues with riding a Tricycle, sometimes it isn’t worth the effort. You won’t tip over, catching more wind and getting used to the seat and position.
Deal for us, $125 for three Rotarians to learn Phil’s favorite lift at Empowered Fitness. cycleplath.yahoo.com
CLUB MEETING June 12, 2025
Pledge of Allegiance - Kevin sang led a rousing rendition of Oh Canada. Surprise? He and several other Club members are going to the Rotary International Convention in Calgary in a few days.
Announcements and News -
Dianne spent a couple of weeks in Colorado and Utah much of it in Denver.where she grew up, so visited with friends and a family member. She rode the train because Joe recommended it. She took the California Zepher from Emmeryville to Denver. It crept through some beautiful country in California and Colorado. It’s not the Orient Express, but she highly recommends it. Her sister and brother-in-law who live in Phoenix met her in Denver before they went on to Arches National Park in Utah She said it was beautiful. She and her sister also went to the Air Force Academy to visit Bo's place in the Cemetery there.
Kevin saw Paul McReynolds at Safeway. He’s still driving and doing okay.
Rose reported that Ralph is doing well after surgery and is out taking short walks.
Liz went to Filoli to see the trolls. There are six of them and each has a story. They are there until November.
Tonight is the fundraiser at Renee’s, 5-7, 785 Main Street for Relay for Life.
The Debunking is on June 27, sign up by the 20th, $35 each, it will be held at the Odd Fellows Lodge.
Nancy gave an update on Charise and Jack. Also she asked us bring wine for Lobsterfest. Please check in with Barb, she’s been taking experimental drugs for long COVID and not doing well. Rose has taken over responsibility for the wine now.
Ginger had a great time in France. She also reminded us that member Sue Prichard is leading a Paint and Sip event at Barterra Winery in the Harbor
Susan gave a Paws in the Park update, the El Granada PTO earned $6,000 on the event. Thank you all who participated.
Pat talked about our Lobster Fest auction and passed out forms and letters for us to use in getting auction items.
Marble Game - Paul pulled a green one.