Top Model 05: Marcus Schenkenberg

This time we talk about Swiss Top model Marcus Schenkenberg.

Marcus Lodewijk Schenkenberg van Mierop, better known as Marcus Schenkenberg (born August 4, 1968) is a model, actor, singer, writer, and TV personality born in Stockholm, Sweden to Dutch parents. He has a citizenship with Netherlands, but has been based in NYC since 1991.

He is the highest paid per-year male model in the world, the first male supermodel and known for his muscular body and “washboard” abdominal muscles. Schenkenberg, who was discovered by American photographer Barry King, while rollerskating in Venice Beach, California in 1989, is approximately 1.93 m tall (6 ft 3 in) and weighs 90 kg (200lb).Most known for his Calvin Klein advertisements, he has also modeled for Valentino, Donna Karan, Versace, Giorgo Armani, Joop, Gianfranco Ferre and Iceberg. He is signed to Ford Models in New York City,  Storm Model Management in London.

Filmography

Schenkenberg has appeared in Meatballs & Macaroni, as “Tiny” in the movie Prince Valiant (1997), Hostage (1999) (lead character), Dinner Rush (2000),  Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2002),  Danny, a handsome
billionaire in the teen horror movie, Perfect Woman (2006). And recently,  Multiple Sarcasm with Timothy Hutton and Mira Survino (2009).

He has also appeared in TV programs and series: V.I.P. (2001), As the World Turns, One life to live as well as Stacked (2005).

Schenkenberg worked on three Italian tv shows, in 2002 “Quelli che il calcio” (as a corrensponent) and “La grande notte di lunedi sera” (as a host), and the cast of La Fattoria (2006).

He also appeared on VH1’s fourth season of The Surreal Life (2005). and “Germanys next top model” and “The Tyra Banks show” (2006).

Other work

In 1997, he published a book, Marcus Schenkenberg, New Rules, which featured numerous photos and personal notes and comments about his career as a model, as well as contributions from colleagues, family members, and people in the fashion and modeling business.

He has recorded a hit song, “La Chica Marita”, and is a spokesperson for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

He had a well-reported romance with Pamela Anderson, another PETA supporter, and lived with her for a while in Malibu, but the relationship later ended.

He speaks fluently in Swedish, English, Dutch, Italian and French.

Marcus is currently working on a perfume line, workout video, jewelery line and upcoming movie shoots.

Mr. America 1987 Rich Baretta

When Marcus first joined the gym, he definitely made an impression. His hair was all one length to his chin, and soon every guy there had the same haircut. From the back, they all looked like Marcus until, of course, you checked the body. I first met Marcus when he asked me for some advice on training to help him put a routine together. He has a very easygoing personality, and I was surprised to find that he’s actually very shy around people. 

How would you describe the way Marcus works out in the gym? He works very hard, doesn’t socialize much, and really knows his way around. He loves to work out. 

How do most people in the gym react to him? Women swarm around him just to get a look or to say “hi” and hope they’ll someday be Mrs. Marcus Schenkenberg. Most of the gay men hope he’s gay (wishful thinking). A number of guys time their workouts so they can be in the gym, and even the locker room, at the same time. Some people who’ve never met him think he has a big attitude, but they’re just jealous, because once they talk to him they realize he’s totally down-to-earth. 

How would you describe Marcus’s body type? Tall, but not lanky like most male models. In clothes he appears normal-sized, but in a tank top you realize how muscular he is. 

Is this what an average guy should do to get a body like Marcus’s? It’s what he could do, but Marcus has been training for many years. 

What type of fitness program does Marcus follow? He primarily relies on strength training. He uses a bodybuilding style – he breaks up body parts and focuses on one or two muscle groups in each workout. For cardiovascular, he runs and plays basketball and tries to work it into his training by keeping his heart rate up, and by taking only short rests. 

What is completely unrealistic? To think you’ll look just like Marcus. The only way to have a body like Marcus’s is not just to train, but to have the right genes. You can only improve the body you were born with. 

What are the common mistakes guys make when trying to get a body like Marcus’s? (1) They don’t know how to train properly, and they only focus on how much they can lift. (2) They only work their favorite body parts and neglect the rest of their body. (3) They only worry about how big they can get and not how symmetrical they are. (4) They think that to get big they have to eat enormous amounts of food, and they end up getting fat.