Sergei Howes: A Big Guy in the Gym Perfo
Sergei Howes has come a long way. In fact, a very long way. His first journey took him from Russia, where he was adopted at the age of four. Like most kids, he played soccer at recess, did motocross for a while, and tried many sports. But one day, as a young adult, everything stopped. He stopped working out, ate poorly, gained significant weight, and came close to depression.
Before things spiraled out of control, his family doctor prescribed the Centre Multisports—and a kinesiology consult with Michael Gagné. “We connected immediately,” says the now 29-year-old. “He understood what was going on. He told me, ‘We’re going to turn you into a new person.’” The transformation was so profound that two years later, Sergei barely recognizes the man he once was when he first walked into Gym Perfo.
Proud and Committed
Now, when Sergei enters the Centre Multisports—his second home—he greets everyone, offering guidance to anyone who looks lost, doubtful, or discouraged. He speaks openly about his transformation:
“I weighed almost 200 pounds. I was like a giant soccer ball—people could have kicked me around! I was spiraling, and my attitude was all wrong. I was heading into darkness. But I wasn’t that guy. My body was falling apart. I had to make a choice. I didn’t want to hit rock bottom. I wanted to go back to being the happy, athletic kid I used to be. Today, I’m proud. I’m living a great experience at the Centre Multisports.”
That’s Sergei Howes now—fit, confident, and eager to motivate others, training five days a week without fail.
Russian Blood, Iron Will
From Monday to Friday, Sergei doesn’t miss a single session. He trains for four to five hours a day—not just to stay in shape, but also because he’s only two exams away from qualifying for the RCMP.
“When you train, you have to be proud of yourself,” he says. “Now, I stay positive through every workout. If you fall, you get up. You try again.”
Discipline, consistency, and sheer determination best describe him. Sergei believes that everything is possible through hard work. Every new exercise is a personal challenge—and he tackles each one head-on.
“Why quit when things get hard?” he asks. “Quitting is the easiest thing to do. But telling yourself it's tough, pushing through, rising again, and working on it—that's heart. That's willpower. I’ll always keep going until I succeed. Russians never quit. I don’t either.”
So next time you’re at the Centre Multisports and see someone with bulging muscles, unwavering focus, and words of encouragement for everyone around—ask for advice. It might just be Sergei Howes. And he’ll probably tell you the story of the big guy in Gym Perfo who turned his life—and body—around.