Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Tyler Martin - Archer, Personal Trainer, Computer Scientist
Tyler Martin is personal trainer and computer scientist with a background in Olympic level archery. In 2020, he combined his passion for health and fitness with his coding skills to create Session Fit, a virtual fitness class app that brings live classes to your phone. In the past six months, he’s fostered a virtual fitness community on the app to help others stay accountable for their health while staying connected with their friends during the pandemic. Get Session classes here and read on to learn more about Tyler’s story.
1. Tell us briefly about your work, inspirations and passions.
I’m a former competitive archer. I trained in San Diego with [Venn Design Founder] Tyler Benner about ten years ago. Since then, I’ve been in love with health and fitness. I got my PT certificate a few years ago, and I currently work with individuals and groups. I’m also a computer scientist and spend a lot of time working at the computer. I have opposing forces where I want to move around a lot but I’m stuck behind the computer screen often.
2. We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?
I have what I call “home poses.” If I’m coding, I don’t like to do that while standing, so I’ll sit on the Venn Air Chair and shift around a lot. If I’m in a thinking mode or taking notes, I’ll be standing.
Working from home has been nice because I don’t have to keep shoes on while I’m working. I have pebbly mats that I stand on to help stimulate thought. I usually spend a couple of hours in the morning walking around for 20 minutes and thinking.
A lot of days I’ll go and teach on Session. We have a community of people we've been working out with for the last six months. It’s live, people can see what you're doing, and because it’s a small group, it’s very apparent if you’re not there. Having a community helps with accountability around moving your body.
3. Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it
I sit on the chair about 20% of the time while doing desking work; it helps me as I switch up my positions from standing to sitting.
I use my Venn more in workout routines - specifically for balance work. I’ll do plank moves, push-ups or bench presses with shoulders on the ball.
“I’m a big fan of personalizing things and that informs how I view ergonomics and fitness... it’s important to figure out what works well for you and invest in that. ”
4. What are your favorite Venn Air Chair positions and moves?
My favorite use for the Venn Air Chair is for core stability and bridge work. Doing a bridge pose with head and neck on the Venn is one of the best moves. On the floor, you’re not moving enough to create awareness. Adding the Venn makes you focus your mind on parts of your body to make sure you’re stable. Doing push-ups on the Venn versus on the floor is way harder and burns more calories.
I also really like to sit cross-legged on it and try to balance that way. It's hard to do and I can’t do it for every long.
5. At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently - philosophically, physically, emotionally- than others?
Management classes teach you about certain management approaches. At the end of the day every person has their own thing going on. I allow for time to delight people during my day and give them time to chat.
I consider myself very deliberate when it comes to setting up the spaces to work in. I’m a big fan of personalizing things and that informs how I view ergonomics and fitness. I built my own keyboard and desk that are ergonomic. We tend to balk at spending money on certain things for our workspaces or home but if you think about how much time you spend on these things - it’s important to figure out what works well for you and invest in that.
Download Session Fit for iOS and Android and follow on Instagram @session_fit.