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Hamilton Spectator
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
‘I love this': Local strongman talks passion for strength sports as he trains for Alberta Provincials
FORT ST. JOHN B.C. — A weeknight at any local gym in Fort St. John can be at times both therapeutic and chaotic. Depending on time, patrons can crowd the weight room floor at any time during an average workout. However, The Gym on 100th Street is calm, the sound of cars motoring past the busy street-level establishment a welcome caterwaul of noise drowned out by the sounds of rock music. Amid the music and the cars, Alex Lorincz stands in quiet analysis, looking at the weights as he prepares for hex bar deadlifts. Lorincz is a strongman competitor who won the 2025 Grande Prairie's Strongest event on Saturday, April 5th. He is meticulously training for Alberta Strongman Association's Provincials at the end of June, but with a hectic work schedule, Lorincz says he squeezes in time to train on the weekends and with a cardio session on Wednesdays. 'Still being three weeks out, I don't want to do too much too soon,' says Lorincz. '[I don't want to] burn myself out and not be able to train as hard for the following weeks.' At one time seen as a circus act, strength sports skyrocketed in popularity with competitions such as the World's Strongest Man sweeping into the spotlight in the late 1970s. The competition breathed mainstream attention into strength sports, turning men such as Jon Páll Sigmarsson, Bill Kazmaier, Magnús Ver Magnússon and Mariusz Pudzianowski into household names. Thirty-year-old Lorincz remembers the first time he saw the competition on television. 'I had to have been a kid,' recalls Lorincz. 'I didn't know what I was watching.' Lorincz participated in track and field, basketball and baseball throughout school, but it was only years later that he began to be interested in strength sports during his days as a bodybuilder in his mid-20s. 'I started getting a little bit more interested in it,' says Lorincz. 'I was 24 or 25. I'm still bodybuilding at the time but I can appreciate what these guys are doing. 'I decided I'm not doing another bodybuilding contest. It takes too much time. It takes an incredible amount of physical and mental effort. The last time I did it, [I was in] the best shape I ever was.' Lorincz points to the west wall of the building where The Gym owner, Jeni Briscoe, has displayed pictures of individuals who have participated in her event, the Northern Classic . As he sifts through his gearbag – containing weightlifting apparatus such as lifting straps, weight belts, a log book and weightlifting shoes, Lorincz explains the transition from bodybuilding to strongman. 'I almost subconsciously started moving towards strongman,' says Lorincz. '[During Covid] I went to college in Vancouver [and] came back home. When the gyms were closed, the first thing I did was buy a bunch of sandbags. It was a really good functional way of weight training. 'While I was waiting for my sandbags to come in, I took my friend's punching bag out of his basement, held it on my shoulder and would go for a walk just [for that] core stability. As I would get tired, I'd push on, I'd get to the end of the road, and then I'd switch shoulders, and then walk back.' When his sandbags were delivered, he brought them to The Gym. A chance conversation brought Atlas stones into his ownership as well. '[I thought] 'maybe I'll buy a mold,'' says Lornicz. 'Then, talking to one of my bosses at work, I was describing them to him, and he was like, 'I think I know where to get some.' 'There was a CrossFit gym in town, and the owner couldn't get rid of them. They were brought to Nels Ostero gravel pit in Taylor. I went down over the weekend and there was a guy willing to help me load up a bunch of Atlas stones.' The first event he competed in was Williams Lake's Cariboo Classic in 2023. The rest, they say, is history. During his workout, he simulates different lifts he may do in a competition, including a deadlift, farmer's walk or Atlas stone, which is named after the Greek myth and sees athletes have to lift cement rocks anywhere between 220 and 360 pounds. As he eases out of his 'warm up' on squats at over 600 pounds, he talks about the psychological side of competing in rigorous events. 'I think it requires a lot [of mental preparation],' says Lorincz. 'I spend a lot of time thinking about the contest and visualizing each event. Just thinking about my body position, my breathing, the tension that I maintain throughout and just how I'm going to overcome fatigue during the actual contest.' While there are distinct differences between bodybuilding and strongmen competitions, there are also similarities, particularly in diet. Lorincz says he eats about five to six times per day. 'Just [to] get your protein in,' says Lorincz. 'Get enough carbohydrates in to fuel your workouts then fats to fill in the rest. I'm lucky that I could have a few slices of pizza and come to the gym. 'The diet principles are the same. The biggest difference is for strongmen, you're eating for performance, whereas bodybuilding you're eating to shuttle nutrients into muscles to make them grow.' Lorincz says the community in the sport is 'super supportive' and he's made good connections, which has seen him take on challenges in B.C. and Alberta. Currently still an amateur, Lorincz would like to progress to become a full-time professional strongman, emulating the successes of Hugo Girard, Mitchell Hooper and Billy Hornaday. Hooper won the 2023 World's Strongest Man, the first Canadian to do so. 'I love this,' says Lorincz. 'It's my hobby, it's my passion. If I wasn't [in] strongman [competitions], I'd be doing something like CrossFit. If CrossFit was never a thing, maybe I'd still be doing bodybuilding. I'd be playing some sport whether it's basketball or rugby. I'd be doing something.' Lorincz will compete in Alberta's Provincials in June in Edmonton. To follow Lorincz's career, visit his Facebook or Instagram pages. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Web Release
16-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Web Release
From Hammam Rituals to Skyline Workouts , Your VIP Pass to Wellness at FIVE LUXE Awaits
From Hammam Rituals to Skyline Workouts , Your VIP Pass to Wellness at FIVE LUXE Awaits Step into ReFIVE Spa, the ultra-luxurious wellness space at FIVE LUXE, that promises the ultimate in rejuvenation. The perfect daycation spot, this plush spa offers a kaleidoscope of transformative treatments and therapies, ensuring a glow like never before. For fitness buffs, The Gym at FIVE LUXE is a 7,000-square-foot powerhouse of performance, boasting panoramic views that fuel motivation and elevate every session. Whether you're sculpting, strengthening, or stretching, this epic fitness center ensures you look and feel your absolute best. Get Your Glow On at ReFive Spa, FIVE LUXE Treat yourself to a day of pure revitalisation or gather your closest friends for a weekend of no holds barred pampering. From healing practices to head-to-toe bliss, this is your invitation to detox in style. From Golden Glow facials and ice therapy for muscle recovery to the calming Shirodhara Abhyanga, every treatment at ReFIVE Spa is designed to restore the mind and body. Indulge in tailoured massages, exclusive Hammam rituals, and bespoke facials by Auteur and Omorovicza, or boost your glow with Oxygen Therapy and Collagen Boosters. For something extraordinary, the ReFIVE Elements Experience fuses salt and crystal massage with a special take-home gift. Guests can also experience the luxurious spa pool, completing the ultimate wellness ritual at ReFIVE Spa. Location: The ReFIVE Spa at FIVE LUXE When: Daily, Weekdays: 10 AM to 10 PM | Weekends: 10 AM to 12 AM Pricing: Treatments starting from AED195 Press Kit: LINK Follow us: Instagram | Website Book Now: Call: +971 4 275 9925 WhatsApp: +971 4455 9999 Email😕[email protected] **Advance bookings are recommended. Take Fitness to The Next Level at The Gym, FIVE LUXE Crush your fitness goals in style at The Gym at FIVE LUXE – a sprawling 7,000-square-foot, 24/7 powerhouse designed for ultimate performance. Whether a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, the gym offers self-guided workouts, personal training sessions to suit every level, yoga, sound healing and more. With state-of-the-art equipment and expert guidance, it's the perfect space for all guests to achieve their goals. Whether you're into strength training, high-energy cardio, or expert-led yoga, this cutting-edge space has it all. Take your workout to the outdoor terrace, where breathtaking views of Ain Dubai, the Arabian Gulf, and Palm Jumeirah turn every session into a visually decadent one. For holistic balance, The Gym offers FLOW Yoga focusing on breath and movement, or Group Yoga for connection and decompression. For a more personalised experience, guests can enjoy a Private Yoga Class tailoured to their needs, or a Private Sound Healing Class to achieve inner peace. Wrap up your workout with a refreshing swim in the indoor spa pool, the perfect cooldown after an intense session. For ultimate recovery, try the ice therapy to soothe muscles and boost recovery, leaving you feeling recharged and rejuvenated. Sign up for a 12-month membership or grab a day pass for the ultimate fitness experience with the crew. Location: The Gym at FIVE LUXE When: Daily, Open 24/7 Pricing: Gym Day Pass starts at AED195 Personalised Self Assessment at AED 150 Indoor Gym, Terrace Gym and Spa Pool Access at AED 195 12-month Gym Membership available for AED 13,850
Web Release
12-06-2025
- Web Release
Summer Reset – Indulge in a Luxe Daycation at ReFIVE Spa, FIVE LUXE
Summer Reset – Indulge in a Luxe Daycation at ReFIVE Spa, FIVE LUXE This summer, escape into a world of luxury and renewal at ReFIVE Spa, FIVE LUXE – where every treatment is designed to refresh, revitalise, and renew the senses. Experience the perfect blend of cutting-edge healing techniques, time-honoured purification rituals, and luxurious therapies, tailoured to provide an unparalleled spa experience – just for you! Treatment Highlights Moroccan Hammam (60 mins) Immerse yourself in an ancient purification ritual combining black soap, kessa exfoliation, Ghassoul clay, steam, and deep stretching to reveal silky, radiant skin. ReFIVE Elements Healing Massage (90 mins) A one-of-a-kind experience fusing therapeutic salts, healing crystals, and expert techniques on a warm quartz bed, restoring balance and harmony to your body and mind. Plus, take home a luxurious keepsake! AUTEUR and Omorovicza Facials (60 mins) Indulgent facials that hydrate, rejuvenate, and leave your skin glowing with fresh radiance. Shirodhara Head Massage (60 mins) Enter ultimate relaxation with 30 minutes of Shirodhara followed by a 30-minute Indian head massage. Flow Yoga Class at The Gym at FIVE LUXE (60 mins) Experience the soothing rituals of flow yoga and leave feeling thoroughly reinvigorated. Infrared Sauna Extend your wellness journey with complimentary access to the Infrared Sauna, where gentle infrared waves warm the body from within, promoting detoxification, muscle recovery, and enhanced circulation at a comfortably ambient temperature. Ice Therapy Sessions Feel the benefits of ice therapy for post-workout recovery and enhanced circulation, accelerating overall physical rejuvenation. Indoor Spa Pool Cool off in the indoor spa pool, complete with hydrojets, a luxurious option designed for total decompression and restoration. FIVE Hotels and Resorts' exclusive, eco-conscious ReFIVE Beauty Line is designed to elevate your spa experience and daily routine. Available only at ReFIVE Spa, the range includes the Designer Bags Only Sparkling Hydrogel Eye Patches , Pre-Game Glow Up Gold Face Mask , and the Liquid Amenities collection, crafted in Provence and infused with FIVE's signature scent from Grasse – making it perfect for enhancing your treatment and taking the glow home with you. Location: ReFIVE Spa, FIVE LUXE, JBR When: Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM | Friday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM Pricing: Moroccan Hammam starting from – AED725 For 60 Minutes The ReFIVE Elements Signature Experience – AED1,100 For 90 Minutes Follow us: Instagram | Website Call: +971 4455 9964
