Exclusive: ATL’s Zack Merrick Shares His Healthy Habits!

Re featured this in honor of Zack Merrick‘s bday today!

Hey Buzzers,

This year I am trying extra hard to be healthy, happy and inspire everyone else to do the same! I used to tour and was always trying to be healthy on the road and coincidentally, Zack Merrick of All Time Low does the same thing! He’s found a way to keep a healthy lifestyle on and off the road, and in an exclusive interview shared his secrets! Check out the interview and prepare to have your jaw drop over the gallery of pics showing off his tranformation over the years, enjoy!

How would you describe your overall health/workout plan?

Zack: I would describe my over all health as happy and healthy. As for the workout plan it’s very rigorous and taxing but in a very beneficial way.

When you are on tour how do you find time to workout?

Zack: On tour I wake up and check the day sheet to see where my gaps in the day are to exercise, go explore, hang out with friends. Once I know I have a 2 hour gap “usually earlier in the day or after meet and great” I go take care of business.

What does your daily workout consist of typically when you are off the road?

Zack: When I am not touring I go to the arena club in Bel Air and train with coach Mike Edge. Through the week I have strength training for upper body one day and lower the next. We also do a high intensity field training which can consist of a lot of different stations or just running connected to a resistance band. Finally we end with a pool workout also known as “pool Friday” which is my favorite. Followed by a light day of running day and off on Sundays.

When did you first really start working on being a healthier person?

Zack: I started working on being healthier my senior year of highschool when I was 17 and have never looked back.

People like to think it’s impossible to stay healthy on the road, what are your thoughts on that?

Zack: That’s a bunch of crap, in a van you can bring alternatives such as ostrim, protein bars, canned tuna…to use when there’s no healthy option. On a bus, I always tell people to go grocery shopping and if you can get a George Foreman or something similar to cook food with, you save money and can maintain a balanced diet.

How has being healthy helped you in your everyday life?

Zack: In everyday life being healthy has helped me tremendously. You feel great, alert, focused and really helps your confidence. It also is a great way to help with any disorders that can cause social anxiety or depression.

Do the other guys in the band workout or eat healthy with you?

Zack: The rest of the guys have different fitness goals but generally are on the healthier side. Sometimes, they may ask me to teach them a few things. We also love football, so Jack and I usually try to get the games going.

It is said that America is one of the most un healthy countries, because you have seen many countries, do you agree?

Zack: America is pretty unhealthy, as soon as you go out of the US the portion sizes drop considerably and people are generally more active and trimmer, so I have to agree with that. However, I’m starting to see more bike riding in cities and people making more of an effort to make a lifestyle change.

What is one major goal you want to accomplish this year?

Zack: One major goal I want to accomplish is to be able to muscle ups or at least more than one. Look it up they are super hard.

Even the healthiest people have cravings, what are your favorite “snacks”?

Zack: I rarely splurge on anything, ask Sean Mackin from Yellowcard. He told me once to help his diet and I would throw out his food if he ordered something unacceptable to me. However I do love sweet fries in moderation.

Any advice for your fans and readers on how to be a healthier person in 2013?

Zack: One thing I would tell people for this year is to remember that you may look good on the outside from working out but inside is what makes everything happen. Your body is like a Ferrari and it needs supreme not cheap regular junk food. So find a balance with exercise and dieting and your body will be thanking you.