Bruce Pechman is the self-proclaimed “Muscleman of Technology,” who not only reports for San Diego’s KUSI TV morning news on technology and gadgets, but also is a “living legend in the health and fitness community.” Bruce was nice enough to wake up in the wee hours and talk to us before his morning workout.
Gizmodo: so which came first, the muscles or the technology?
Bruce: Muscles actually came first, being I started training when I was 17 years old, picking up bundles of newspapers for NYC apartment deliveries.
Bruce: I could hardly lift the newspaper bundles so I had to start working out.
Gizmodo: same here, except i vowed to become a journalist that wrote tiny, light articles
Bruce: Ahhh, I always said a journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
Gizmodo: so you got huge, and then said, “this would be a great way to promote technology?”
Bruce: No, that’s not exactly how it happened.
Bruce: I’ve actually was in the aerospace industry in Southern CA for about 16 years. I was a project engineer and senior project manager, and then transitioned into the IT field when aerospace started drying up.
Bruce: After being director of IT at a large advertising agency for about 5 years, I burnt out over the entire Y2K implosion and decided to go off on my own.
Bruce: Keep in mind, all this time I had been training 6 days a week, an hour a day, and had already many natural bodybuilding contests under my belt.
Bruce: I know it seems hard to believe I will be 50 next year. So, in 2000, I started pursuing my passion, which is consumer electronics, digital gear, and games.
Bruce: That’s when it hit me to differentiate myself from all the nerds out there and being memorable, I decided to become the Muscleman of Technology.
Gizmodo: flexing after showing off gear is pretty memorable, for sure
Bruce: When I do my television segment on the Morning News, I sometimes award the best gear my “double bicep award.”
Gizmodo: do you use any special gadgets to work out?
Bruce: Yes. I use the Tanita Body Fat scales to monitor and track my body fat and body hydration levels. I also use my Mio watch which doesn’t require a heart monitor strap (it monitors your resting heart beat, max & min).
Bruce: For actual exercise, I use Dynaflex International Powerball gyros…
Bruce: I also use the BowFlex SelectTech Dumbbells, where you can dial in what weights you require from 5 lbs to 52 lbs.
Gizmodo: what’s the future for The Musclesman of Technology brand? When are you going to release your own line of products?
Bruce: Actually, I just entered into an agreement, but it’s too premature to make an announcement—check my site soon.
Bruce: I’m also expanding my brand and media coverage, and I have a new publicist who is doing a great job for me.
Gizmodo: do you recommend muscles as a panacea to geekiness? our readers need a lot of help
Bruce: I know this sounds cliche, but any form of exercise whether it’s for cosmetic or to improve your cariovascular health is always a good thing to help benefit your quality of life. Even if you’re really geeky, you can always improve
Bruce: your overall self image if you are truly committed.
Bruce’s Home Page [MrBicep]
