Idaho State Journal
POCATELLO — A quest to stay physically fit has given Roger Schei, a lieutenant with the Pocatello Police Department, much more than a slimmer waistline.
Schei recently took first place in the lightweight division and won the overall grand prize at the National Gym Association or NGA Grand Teton Invitational Bodybuilding competition in Idaho Falls. Winning an overall competition has been a goal for quite some time, but a desire for fitness got him started.
“The number one killer of police is coronary heart disease,” Schei said. “That got me motivated to get into peak physical shape, but winning in these competitions is a means to an end.”
Schei received his pro card after winning the overall competition in Idaho Falls and will travel to Ogden, Utah, to take part in a pro competition on May 5.
“I’ve been that close, so many times,” Schei said. “This just goes to show you, you keep going, challenging yourself and never give up and you’ll get to where you want to be.”
Schei, 39, has a workout routine that utilizes mainly compound movements and the use of kettle bells to get into the best shape he possibly can. He said the ultimate goal of helping other police officers improve their fitness and diet routines is to ensure that everyone goes home to their families at night.
Schei has been a police officer for 20 years, 17 of which have been with Pocatello. He got into bodybuilding nearly 14 years ago when a fellow officer, Steve Williams, turned him on to it.
“Steve was a great guy,” Schei said. “It’s because of him that the fitness room at the P.D. was started.”
Williams was killed in a boating accident in 2005, but the fitness room inside the police department has remained after being funded by the police union and the FOP Lodge.
Schei said his overall fitness has been an asset to him on several occasions since he joined the force and he has also been certified in health and fitness through the Peace Officer Standards & Training or POST Academy. He said he’s used the certification, not only to help train other officers, but also to consult on fitness for some local athletes.
“I can remember times when I’ve gotten into a foot chase or something else physical,” Schei said. “They say that police work is 90 percent boredom and 10 percent chaos and that adrenaline dump during the 10 percent can be draining , so my fitness level has helped me out immensely in those situations.”
He also said he could not do what he does without the support of his family and his sponsors.
“Chad’s Rentals, my union and the Nutrition Company of Idaho (NCI) have been instrumental in helping me pay for travel costs and entrance fees for my competitions,” Schei said. “I can’t even express how much I appreciate their support.”
Copyright 2012 Idaho State Journal