Armand van Wijck
Personal Training & Strength Coaching
Personal training & strength coaching for 30+ and 40+ in Stockholm and digitally. Reclaim your physical energy, build lasting resilience, and age powerfully!
Personlig träning & styrkecoachning för 30+ och 40+ i Stockholm och digitalt. Återta din fysiska energi, bygg varaktig motståndskraft och åldras med kraft!
Personal training & strength coaching voor 30+ en 40+ in Stockholm en online. Krijg je fysieke energie terug, bouw aan langdurige belastbaarheid en en word krachtig ouder!
Heavy lifting is medicine
There’s a reason doctors, longevity researchers, and health experts worldwide are now actively prescribing heavy resistance training to adults over 40.
For decades, we were told that cardio and lighter weights were enough. But modern science has shifted: to protect your body against aging, mental burnout and maintain independence for the next 20 to 30 years, lifting heavy is the single most effective intervention available.
Whether you're adapting to life as an expat in Stockholm or navigating a high-pressure career, heavy lifting isn't about gym vanity, it’s about building a body and mind that carry life effortlessly.
What lifting heavy does for you
Heavy resistance training is a complete biological and psychological upgrade. We approach your progress through two essential pillars:
The body (physiological longevity)
-
Improving bone density: As we age, bone density naturally declines. Heavy loading forces your bones to adapt and remodel, preventing osteoporosis and ensuring a minor stumble later in life won't turn into a serious fracture.
-
Hormonal & energy reset: Heavy compound movements trigger a natural boost in essential hormones (including testosterone and growth hormone), resulting in higher daily energy, sharper focus, and better recovery.
-
Posture & joint resilience: Hours spent sitting at desks or commuting break down your posture. Heavy lifting strengthens your posterior chain (back, glutes, core), pulling your body into alignment and relieving a.o. chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain.
-
Metabolic health & muscle preservation: Muscle is your primary storage site for glucose. Building muscle improves insulin sensitivity, keeps your metabolism active, and fights natural age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia).
The mind (mental resilience & focus)
-
Mental grounding: When you hold a barbell, the noise shuts off. It forces 100% presence, acting as an active form of meditation. You step under the bar with mental chaos and walk out clear, calm, and grounded.
-
Stress & nervous system regulation: Heavy lifting releases endorphins, lowers baseline cortisol and helps regulate your nervous system. This builds a buffer against anxiety, burnout and daily work fatigue.
-
Confidence: Physical capability builds mental strength. Knowing you can lift heavy weight transfers directly into daily confidence, self-advocacy and emotional resilience.
Let’s build together
Hi, I’m Armand (42). Some know me as a professional jazz musician, but I am also a personal trainer and the strongest conventional deadlifter in Sweden within my weight and age category (M1, -74kg).
What made me eventually decide to become a personal trainer? My drive is simple: I love seeing people succeed and having a small part in that. I get a thrill out of every breakthrough, big or small.
“Whether it’s a major lifestyle shift where someone realizes how life-changing strength training truly is, or a tiny adjustment in form that suddenly makes a lift feel effortless. That spark in a client's eyes is why I do what I do.”
I didn’t start powerlifting (strength competition) to break records. As a musician and freelancer moving to Sweden, my life was filled with intense focus, irregular hours, and the friction of settling into a new country. On top of that, navigating the world with ADD and high sensitivity (HSP) meant life could often feel loud and overwhelming, leading to severe sleep issues and anxiety.
When I first stepped into the gym, I was looking for an anchor. In a world where work projects, creative output, and living abroad can feel unpredictable, the barbell became the one thing I could completely control. What started as a way to clear my head transformed my entire life:
-
Structure & focus: Gym programming gave my ADD mind a clear, grounding framework that spilled over into my daily routine.
-
Sleep & energy: Aligning structured training with a cleaner diet finally restored my sleep baseline after years of insomnia.
-
Performance: Becoming a top deadlifter in Sweden wasn't born from ego, it was the natural byproduct of patience and consistency.
I don’t train people to fit into a generic fitness magazine mold. I coach expats, professionals, and creatives in Stockholm so they can experience the incredible structure, mental peace, and physical freedom that comes with a strong body.
"Everything I do comes down to working with people and helping them feel better in life. Whether I’m playing music or guiding a lift, my goal is to help you build energy, strength, and confidence."
Credentials & background
-
BSc in Physics: Deep understanding of biomechanics and optimal movement paths.
-
MSc in Science Communication & Education: 15+ years as a senior science journalist and communicator; translating complex scientific material into clear, actionable advice.
-
Licensed (music) teacher & pedagogical expert: 10+ years teaching adults and children; skilled in adapting coaching strategies to how your brain and body learn best.
-
EBT Academy Stockholm: Finalizing formal Swedish (Active Sweden) & European (EREPS Level 4) personal trainer licensing (but available for 1-on-1 coaching immediately).
-
Among Sweden's strongest deadlifters: Holding the highest active conventional deadlift in Sweden within my weight and age category (M1, -74kg).
Testimonials
Here's what some of my clients had to say about my coaching:
"Armand is very thoughtful and passionate about his job, and he always approaches every session with great energy. I had some problems with a few of the exercises, and every time, he tried to help me find a routine that was better suited to me.
He is really dedicated and genuinely looks for ways to help you develop your strength and improve. I would definitely recommend Armand to anyone looking for a personal trainer who truly cares about helping his clients, always supporting you with a positive attitude."
Maria C. (34), professional musician and expat in Stockholm.
"I am an experienced weightlifter. Armand has helped me to train in a way that respects my body and my nervous system. I feel strong and more in balance than anytime I've ever trained before."
Lisa A. (38), digital client
"Thank you, Armand, because you made me realise how important weight lifting is. Since I started lifting weights under your guidance, I feel better, more energised, and healthier. I’ve always been a keen runner, and the weights have helped me run better, too.
Your offers are sensible, and I appreciate that you show me carefully how to do exercises safely. Anytime, I can send you questions and you take your time to give me advice based on videos that I send. I like that you make an individual training schedule based on my situation and interest, and that you are always positive and helpful.
That’s why I recommend you to my friends and colleagues, too."
Christian S. (44), long distance runner and expat in Stockholm
"I recommend Armand as a coach! He really listened to my personal need and created a plan that was grounded in reality, that taught me about the balance of structure and discipline to reach my personal flow! 🙏🏽✨🔥"
Ida S. (30), professional musician & holistic therapist, digital client
"Armand designed a customized routine that has delivered excellent results. He clearly explained the purpose of each exercise, which has given me the confidence to adjust or replace them whenever necessary.
His guidance has also been a great source of motivation, helping me stay consistent and return to training even after work-related breaks."
Ernesto Calderon D. (42), professional musician and expat in Stockholm
Snapshots from the gym floor
Guiding Maria C. (34) through her deadlift set
Me (42) doing 170kg Romanian deadlifts at 74kg bodyweight
This has to be one of my favorite exercises and a staple of many of my training programs. Many people avoid Romanian deadlifts out of fear for their lower back. My focus is teaching you the exact mechanics to lift heavy, build resilience, and stay completely injury-free.
CCj
Choose your training path
Whether you want 1-on-1 coaching at a local gym in Stockholm or flexible remote guidance, we build a program that fits your life. All prices include VAT (MOMS in Sweden).
Option 1: Face-to-face personal training (Stockholm)
What to expect: 1-on-1 coaching sessions at a gym that feels like home, focus on form, real-time adjustments, and highly encouraging sessions.
Price: SEK 1,000 (€90, $105) / 60-minute session
Price: SEK 1,400 / (€125, $145) / 90-minute session
Option 2: Online strength coaching
What to expect: Custom workout programming, video analysis of your lifts (you send your videos anytime, I review your form), and weekly check-ins to keep you accountable.
Price: SEK 1,000 (€90, $105) / 4 weeks
Option 3: Hybrid package (Stockholm training + custom plan)
What to expect: One 60-minute 1-on-1 in-person PT session in Stockholm plus four weeks of custom programming.
Price: SEK 1,800 (€162,50, $190) / 4 weeks
Add-on: Nutrition tracking and advice
What to expect: Four weeks where I’ll be tracking your diet, whether it is bulking or cutting, and give nutrition advice based on personal preferences and dietary needs.
Price: SEK 700 (€62,50, $75) / 4 weeks
Contact
No matter your current fitness level or how intimidating a gym might feel right now: if you want a strong, resilient body and a clear mind, you are in the right place.
We always start with a free, no-obligation intake consultation to discuss your goals, answer your questions, and see if we are the right fit.
Feel free to connect with me in English, på svenska, en in het Nederlands!