Welcome to the new Roman Fitness Systems. By now, you will have noticed a number of changes from this sites predecessor. The site is now cooler, darker and a bit more technologically savvy.
I’ve never liked the term “new and improved.” To paraphrase George Carlin, if something is new, there was nothing to improve on—and if it is improved, that means it previously existed so it’s not new.
Instead, I’ll just say we’re now a bit more bad-ass.
Websites and blogs are necessary in the fitness world. While I enjoy writing for various magazines (keep an eye out for a new article by me over at TMuscle in the very near future) and have every intention of continuing to do that, the infrequency of publication makes it hard to interact with readers.
Having a blog gives me the chance to not only give great information more frequently, it allows me the opportunity to really communicate with people directly about the article, or anything else that comes to mind. Also, I can say whatever it is I have to say exactly how I want to say it—my voice, my humor, my stories—without having to worry about an editor who might say a story about giant spiders isn’t really relevant.
So I’ll say that websites and blogs are necessary, but also really enjoyable for someone like me.
And because I enjoy reading blogs, I frequent a lot of them; which led to this re-design.
As much as I love my buddies in the fitness world, for the most part I am about as different from them as you can get. I sometimes catch a bit of flack in the industry for being to…well, too ME, I guess.
For better or worse, I’m too stubborn to listen. I continue to write what I like and put out fun stuff, even if it’s not really in line with the conventional way of doing things. In that sense, I’m either going to be a hit, or a spectacular failure. And I want my site to be representative of that.
Time to roll the dice and see.
Problem was, my blog looked like everyone else’s, with few exceptions. While I love Joel Marion, Eric Cressey, Vince Del Monte, Craig Ballantyne and all the other fitness pros helping people meet goals, the fact of the matter is I just have a different view on fitness, and therefore a different approach.
I’m not a huggy fitness guru who is going to pat you on the shoulder and tell you it’s not your fault that you’re fat; nor am I a drill sergeant who is going to yell at you and tell you it is. I am also not dogmatic, and I’ll never tell you that my way is the only way.
Instead, I’m a muscle-nerd. That is, I’m a geeky guy who loves books, movies, women, pop-culture, technology and fitness all with equal fervor. And so that’s what I’m going to blog about. You’ll still get good fitness information and the ranting stories I’ve come to be known for.
And so, this site is going to be as different from other fitness blogs as I am from other fitness pros.
As a result, I’m taking things one step further. We’re going to talk about movies, music and gadgets. We’ll talk about sex and dating and I will probably go off on a rant about Cosmo from time to time.
So, the main changes to the site:
- New layout and color scheme. Like my coffee, it’s dark and strong. I’m kidding, I don’t drink coffee. But I am dark and strong, so the site is like me.
- New pictures feature on the home page. Fun, huh?
- New focus on pop-culture and social dynamics.
- New info up on the coaching page. For those who don’t know, for the past 5 years I’ve run an online personal training business. I am only now using this site to begin accepting clients; till this point, it has all been word of mouth. I’m sure I should pimp it out and write some crazy sales copy, but I am busy actually working with those clients. Currently, I’m opening 10 spaces in my program. This limit is based on my time constraints; I won’t take on more people than I have time to dedicate 100% of my attention to.
- More frequent posting.
- New pages and features to be added soon.
So anyway, welcome to RFS 2.0 – now with a look that matches the demeanor of your not so humble host.
PS – This is a work in progress, and I’m looking for feedback. Please let me know your thoughts!
Roman
Whoring For Comments Like a 14 Year Old on MySpace
- since 2003
"Author, coach, and self-professed pretty-boy John Romaniello runs Roman Fitness Systems with a tongue-in-cheek approach to fitness--and himself--that shows a genuine love/hate relationship with both. Equal parts narcissism and self-loathing, Roman writes with passion and humor, show-casing his belief that training doesn't need to be the serious, stern, science-laden monotony that is pervasive in this industry."
I like the new look of the site. I like the “about” page too. I’ve read comics since I was eight years old and worked in a comic shop for fours years as a teenager. I’ve had some of my funnest moments with some of the most interesting people around in that store. Its nice to know a tough, strong guy like you reads comics too. I didn’t meet too many fitness enthusiasts at the comic shop. Do you still read regularly?
I’m glad you like the site – I have a few small changes in mind, but for the most part this is where it’s at.
Regarding comings: I don’t really read regularly anymore. Instead, I keep up with the main storylines through various websites where I read summaries.
I find I enjoy complete stories more than that cliffhanger feeling at this point. When I was a kid, I really loved the way comics would drag you through 8 issues just to get resolution. Now, I find myself too impatient.
To that, when something like Civil War comes out, I just wait until all issues are out to buy the book. More enjoyable for me to read it over a period of a day or two rather than a few weeks.
@John Romaniello – Yeah I know exactly what you mean. Over the past few years a lot of people have gravitated towards reading the collected editions. The story flows a lot smoother that way. Civil War was a good book, it had pretty art. If you like Marvel you should check out Secret Invasion. And Invincible by Image comics. Its a creator owned comic book but its probably the most clever super hero comic book in the universe. I’ve never been to New York but I heard they have some cool comic shops and conventions out there. Yes, I frequent comic bok conventions.
I must say that your blog has taken on a very new, avantgarde desgin. Smokin’. Very mystique. But I miss the longer “about” section that was on you first page. Why did you remove that one, that’s what made it all more personal. Since it was in a separate section you didn’t “force” people to read it, but it was a nice enjoyable reading, and you’re such a talanted writer that I just think it’s a shame. Otherwise, nice work.
I like the new spin you’ve put on the blog John, it’s dark indeed. Very nice.
What does it take to become one of the 10 in your program? (would that be for your online training business, or offline in NYC?) The opportunity to join would be friggin’ awesome, as we say in Sweden. But in Swedish. That doesn’t sound as cool in Swedish though. And you probably wouldn’t understand much. So I’ll leave it at that. For the time being.
Best of luck to you with the new blog, I’ll be chatting away here frequently!
Cheers mate,
Fred
Lol this place look’s so epic!! I feel like im visiting Ozzys page
Awesome, awesome, more awesome. Like the new looks, like the ideas about content, and agree that your approach is much different from traditional fitness gurus. I’d say it’s more like mine, but that could just be two different forms of awesome that I’m mistaking for similar.
Nice updates, man! Looks like we’re going to go back-and-forth quite a bit.
Oh, and nice article today.
-Nate
Thanks Fred! Regarding taking new clients, I am in the middle of a packed phase right now. I’m not taking any new clients in the gym, I just don’t have the time. I normally graduate clients on a pretty regular basis, so I hope to have some spots open in February (and avoid the new years crowd).
Regarding my online clients, I am opening 10 spots (well, now 9, one filled this morning). For people to be come a client, just takes a few emails back and forth. Normally I like to exchange emails with people to determine whether online training is right for them, and if we would be suited to work together.
More than anything, I just want to make sure I’m the best for someone, or they for me.
In all seriousness, how do you say awesome in Swedish? Could you spell in phonetically?
Also, how do you say, “Oh, you’re Swedish? I don’t speak Swedish, but I learned how to say this phrase so I could talk to pretty Swedish girls. By extension of that fact, I am calling you pretty, and also using my only pick up line. To continue this conversation in English, please nod politely.”
If you could get back to me on that, it’s be greeeeeaaaat.
@Arbel – Thanks Arbel. In any endeavor, I strive for epic. Even if I wind up with epic failure. Nice to hear that isn’t the case this time. Yet.
@Ted – I’m trying to add more awesome each day. Sometimes it’ll be awesome posts, other times awesome links. But please, continue to contribute awesome comments. Hopefully, it’s a synergistic effect. Either that or we’ll just say awesome a whole bunch and annoy everyone else.
Nice to see a fresh look and a new rhythm to your site. Dark sites usually are harder to read, but this one does just fine. I also like the pictures associated to some previous posts in the home page.
It’s good to see some variety between fitness experts, and you certainly bring your part to the lot. Makes for learning more stuff, and enjoy more awesomeness!
Can’t wait to read your next posts. Keep up the good work!
Mathieu
Thanks and thanks, good sir.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Nate Green is an editor for TMuscle.com, and cleaned up an article for me that was published over there today. In addition, Nate is a published author and has a great blog at theNateGreenExperience.com
Definitely check it out.
Thanks for the kind words and the help with the article, Nate.
Hey Romaniello! I just wanna let you know I love your blog and I love your style of writing. If you weren’t some fitness guru, you would be an author or a newspaper journalist! HAHA. Okay, I’m really looking forward to your future blog posts. Keep up the good work!
Thaddeus
@John Romaniello – Well, I’m definitely aroused (in a totally non-sexual way. Ok, perhaps a little… In a non-gay way at least) by the prospect of online training, talk about it a bit more over email perhaps? I’ll send you a message.
Haha sure thing man. “Awesome” would probably translate into “asbra”. Phonetically that would sound like [As-bra] – not like ass, linger a bit more on the A of “as”, and then basically “bra” as in a ladies bra. Confused?
The fantastic pick-up line of yours would go something like this:
“Ah, du är från Sverige? Jag pratar inte svenska, men jag lärde mig att säga denna fras så att jag kan prata med vackra svenska flickor. Baserat på den faktan kallar jag dig vacker, och jag använder även min enda raggningsreplik. För att fortsätta denna konversation på engelska, var snäll och nicka artigt”
Never mind the å, ä and ö, just go with a and o for those sounds.
If you knock that one out of the park, I’ll buy you a beer!
Discovered your blog through Craig Ballantyne’s blog. Got hooked because I like it that you show your crazy side. The fact that you don’t write the way other fitness gurus/enthusiasts write is the very reason why I love visiting your blog.
Badass new look. You are definitely not cut from a cookie-cutter mold (but we already knew that).
Looking forward to the content and other changes too.