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This post is part of a series of Queerty conversations with models, trainers, dancers, and, well, people who inspire us to stay in shape–or just sit on the couch ogling them instead.
Name: Francisco (Franko) Briseño, 29
City: London (born in Guadalajara, Mexico)
Occupation: Events Executive
Favorite Gym: The Gym Battersea, London
Favorite Work Out Song: “Scream” by Usher (yeah, such an old school)
Recommended Work-Out Foods: An energy bar, bananas and coffee for an early workout, and pre-workout by MyProtein.com for the late ones after work.
Best Workout Outfit: Really short shorts (of course), a sports t-shirt and long Adidas socks.
How do you balance staying in shape and having fun? Working out is my favorite hobby, I do that for fun, I workout for at least 13 hours a week (including yoga and weight lifting), on a weekend I usually hit the gym before I hit the pub.
When did you discover the power of yoga?
Two years ago, I set myself the goal to do a scorpion pose (handstand) as a New Year’s resolution. So I joined a yoga studio and started practicing Dharma Yoga, this type of yoga includes lots of variations of handstands and backbends. Long story short, I ended up falling in love with the practice when I realized I was becoming more flexible and how it was helping me release the stress of the events from work. I ended up forgetting the reason why I even started this journey and made yoga part of my weekly workout.
As mentioned before, I work in events, corporate events to be exact, being part of a team that organizes conferences around the world comes with a very stressful price. Especially now during COVID-19, when we are trying to run virtual and live events in the middle of a pandemic, adding the fact that we can’t go to the gym to de-stress as we are in lockdown. Yoga has also helped me to focus and be grateful for other things in life, such as my body, family and friends. The pro of yoga is that not much equipment is needed and can be practiced anytime in your own house, I find that really convenient.
How often should we practice?
It depends on your goals, whether you need to release some stress, become more flexible or challenge yourself to do some handstands. I currently practice three times a week as I’d like to become more flexible since I already have mastered the scorpion pose. Some advanced yogis practice around five times a week but one good practice session per week is a good way to start.
Related: International dance star Dosu on the power of breakin’, and heading to the Olympics
So many of us—particularly gay men—feel a lot of pressure to maintain a certain gym build, or to avoid carrying extra weight. Can yoga be a substitute for the gym?
I personally find different benefits from each of them, I believe they both compliment each other, one gives you the nice pumped chest and rock hard bum and the other helps you to find inner peace and become bendier, this last benefit makes you also really popular amongst the community.
Are there specific poses that help us burn calories/fat, more than others?
Long planks and a good Rocket Yoga practice, is a faster-paced yoga variation with lots of planks and handstands, you will feel the burn throughout the whole workout.
For those of us that do like the gym, are there specific areas we should focus on to supplement our yoga practice?
Core exercises! Lots of crunches and planks are always a great combination to compliment your yoga practice.
I know from your Instagram you’re a man that loves travel. What do you love about it?
It may sound really cliché, but I really enjoy getting to know other cultures, I enjoy traveling to unusual countries and towns where you can find locals only and try their unique dishes.
How does traveling keep you mentally, physically, emotionally?
Traveling is my getaway, I’ve been through really bad experiences and it just reminds me how lucky I am for being alive, it makes my life really interesting and it keeps me going. I personally enjoy traveling alone to have time for myself and truly enjoy the experience at my own pace.
What destination surprised you the most? There is an island called Failaka island near Kuwait, this island was bombed in 1991 and currently it is so apocalyptic, you can see the abandoned supermarkets, gas stations, cars and schools, some of them with bullet holes. Such a surreal experience!
What do you keep on your nightstand?
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
My eye mask of course as I like a good beauty sleep, the book I’m currently reading (The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck by Mark Manson) and a big box of tissues, because you know…
Bonus Pics:
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ted72
What a god.
8millionandcounting
Nice.
Totally agree with him on traveling alone and actually experiencing the locals and what they do & eat when they are off the clock.
It’s tricky but I’ve had some incredible times and memories going off the beaten path away from the touristy things to do.
frankobriseno
Thanks for the sweet words! xx 🙂
JustLarry
I hope that the current president doesn’t find out he’s Mexican or he’ll deport him! This man is far too comely to be removed.
frankobriseno
Hahaha good one, luckily I live in London! Lots of love. Xxx 😉
Res1
I didn’t even read the title I just saw a guy traveling alone and thought “how sad” . Lol. It was the pool pic for me. Also, it’s pretty pretentious because someone is there filming him.
frankobriseno
Haha just me, myself and my tripod… xx 😉
Toofie
Great attitude, especially replying to the comments here!
frankobriseno
Thank you so much Toofie! Lots of love. xxx 😉
Kangol2
I appreciate cutie Franko Briseño’s responses in this comment section as much as I do the article. His suggestions will be great to take into account once we’re able to travel safely again, post-pandemic.
frankobriseno
Thank you Kangol. Greece is always a great idea. 😉 have a look in my insta for ideas, you will have a good time. Xxx
Fahd
¡Que mexicano tan guapo!
frankobriseno
Muchas gracias Fahd. Un abrazo enorme. xx
ageofewan
I love short shorts, they definitely make me feels confident on the gym. This guy is so cute I might have to follow him on Instagram. I bet he’s fighting off the boys!
zephyr69
Great article and interview. He seems like a great down-to-earth type of guy. Maybe someday he’ll come to Provincetown, MA, and I can show him around.
winemaker
When i saw this article at first, i thought they were talking about San Francisco gay gyms. I’ve been a member of several gyms here in San Francisco over the years and ‘am not surprised how short and revealing gym shorts have gotten over time. . I’ve seen it all, some guys wear thin nylon almost spray on shorts while going commando, or at least wearing a thong. They monopolize a machine while texting or yakking on their cell phones while members wait for the machine and give out attitude when other members want to use the equipment and they don’t even have the courtesy and good manners to wipe down the equipment after use. The gym seems to be the new ‘meat market’ and especially the locker room and communal showers You’d think that people who join a gym do so to work out and get in shape but instead use it as asocial club and pick up palace when cheaper venues are readily available
BN
The problem with looking like that is, if he were to post on a dating app any of those pics, but especially that last one — my God!, everyone would assume that he was trying to catfish them, because no one could look quite that perfect!