Erik's career in personal training evolved as an extension of his passion for fitness and exercise. Active throughout his childhood and teenage years, he discovered weight training at age 20.
He began sharing his training experience and education to help others achieve their fitness goals. In 1994 he decided to make personal training his full time profession.
He was awarded the Sports Clubs of Canada Personal Trainer of the Year and is now one of Toronto's premier freelance trainers and educators.
Erik has used his knowledge and passion for fitness excellence to assist clients in maximizing their potential and personally has achieved the highest levels of competitive success.
Erik competed in his first bodybuilding competition placing 2nd in his Nation's capital city at The Ottawa Bodybuilding Championships. He won the Overall titles at his next two competitions and inside of 3 years had advanced to the National Championships, placing 2nd in his first attempt at the Canadian Title.
Two years later he completed his bodybuilding dream by winning the Heavyweight and Overall titles and becoming the Canadian Champion also earning the coveted I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Bodybuilders) Pro Card.
One year later, after re-assessment of his goals and with the desire to challenge himself again, he put his knowledge and fitness to the test and moved in another direction.
Within a decade, Erik had transformed his body and training regimen to include triathlon, (he had to learn how to swim...and at 230 lbs of muscle, this was no easy task!) completing over 50 triathlons, including 2 grueling Ironman triathlons.
Erik is also a 20 time marathon runner with a personal best of 3 hours 07 minutes, plays competitive squash, tennis, golf, and has recently developed an ongoing yoga practice.
In early 2009, Erik re-emerged into the world of drug free competitive bodybuilding and captured the Heavyweight and Overall Championship at the 2009 Montreal Classic earning his Professional Status once again as a drug free bodybuilder. Two weeks later he won the Light Heavyweight and Overall Titles at the Toronto Classic, successfully completing his comeback into competitive bodybuilding.
3 more bodybuilding competitions are scheduled for late 2009. Following these, Erik will once again switch gears and prepare for the prestigious Boston Marathon in early 2010.
Shortly, Erik will introduce his first bodybuilding manual and companion DVD for first time and amateurs bodybuilders titled, "Polished Posing: The ALSTRUP Method". This manual introduces beginners to compulsory posing and stage presentation and will be available soon!