Nadine Mustafa When ranking Egypt’s most popular fittest man, no one comes close to Hassan Gabr. The 39-year-old fitness figure, entrepreneur, and guru from Egypt has been on the cover of more magazines than he can recall, and his social media platforms are used to channel everything regarding health and nutrition profoundly and technically. If you’ve ever been serious about building a better body, at some point you will have stumbled across Gabr’s content. Leading a double life as a businessman and a fitness master, engendering a love of wellness in participants of different ages and backgrounds, once more proving that it’s never too late to get hold of your life and start a journey to the better version of yourself.
Will you share with us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Hassan Gabr, also known as ‘The Gorilla’. I’m a 39-year-old fitness entrepreneur. I come from a corporate business background but have shifted my career to fitness over 15 years ago. I was named Egypt’s Fittest Man in 2006 after competing in CrossFit on a professional level. Recently, I have shifted to bodybuilding. In April 2019, I started The Gorilla Fit app in hopes to start helping people reach their health and fitness goals.
How did you get into fitness?
As I mentioned earlier, I worked in corporations for over fifteen years, but never found my purpose in that direction. I’ve always been into soccer since my childhood though. In pursuit of my own health goals, I studied a lot about fitness and found myself shifting my focus towards coaching others to do the same. Eventually, this became ultimately my passion and therefore, what I wanted to do full time.
It’s been almost 6 years since you were announced Egypt’s Fittest Man, what have you been up to since then?
Since Egypt’s Fittest Man, I decided to become more present on social media platforms. I spent several years coaching CrossFit on the ground until it wasn’t fulfilling to me anymore so I switched everything online in an attempt to help masses and reach everyone, not just small groups.
What do you do differently now in the gym compared with when you were younger?
I tried almost everything. I started in the gym as everyone else did at the time, then shifted to CrossFit. Now, at the age of 39, I took over a new challenge and I’m currently training professionally as a bodybuilder. Not only is it a huge challenge, but it also aligns more with my current fitness goals, routine, and schedule.
Do you have a fixed fitness routine, or do you like to try new techniques every once in a while?
I’m currently on a very strict fitness routine regarding food and training. When you’re trying to perform at a professional level, the structure is a must. I’m also working with an amazing coach who helps set my fitness plan and schedule.
Can home workouts have the same efficiency as hitting the gym? And if so, what essentials do we need at home to achieve that?
It depends on your goals, but in a nutshell – yes it can be very effective. Lockdown proved that home workouts can go a very long way in your fitness journey. We tend to believe that a fitness journey needs to be fancy. That’s not true! A bike at home, a few dumbbells, and a yoga mat can get you anywhere you want if you really have the will to do it.
What are your top favorite workouts?
For years, the only thing that hasn’t changed in my workout is biking! I bike at home for cardio every single day. It’s fun, safe, and very effective.
What training principles do you live your life by?
My motto and goal have always been to make fitness accessible to everyone and not exclusive to only the A-class as it has mostly been. Everybody deserves access to the knowledge, the tools, and the services that can help them be more active.
What’s your must rule when it comes to your diet?
Planning and preparing are the keys to the success of any meal plan! You can easily know what to eat but sticking to it is what can get difficult. Planning your meals and preparing your food ahead of time, personally – I do it weekly. It works wonders in helping you stay consistent and motivated.
What was the purpose behind the Gorilla app?
The Gorilla Fit App is a social fitness app. The purpose behind is simple; we want people to eat well and train right in a supportive social environment. It’s a hybrid of a fitness app and a social media app. The Gorilla Fit App is one step towards making fitness accessible to everyone!
Can you advise a beginner on an easy-yet guaranteed way to start a fitness transformation?
I’d tell them that there aren’t any shortcuts to a real transformation. Consistency guarantees success, effort guarantees success, and most importantly discipline guarantees success. Start anywhere, stop waiting for the perfect time, set a plan, and be realistic. A walk around the block and a daily serving of vegetables can very much be a great starting point!
Your guilty pleasure on a free day?
Burgers all the way!
Who’s your fitness idol?
My fitness idol now is Chris Bumstead who is a two-time Mr. Olympia in the classic physique category and I would love to emulate his accomplishments one day.
