Photos on social media have caught fans' attention in recent months. Always accompanied by a "giant" standing 1.75m tall and weighing 137kg (his off-season weight), **Italo Ferreira** has been heavily investing in physical training. The heavyweight in question is bodybuilder **Marcelo Cruz**. Born in São Bento do Sul, SC, the 39-year-old athlete holds a degree in physical education and specializes in high-performance training.
"I really liked it from the first workout I did with him, the mentality he has. As an athlete, he also knows the body very well because he relies on his physique to perform when stepping on stage. Sometimes people criticize, saying that I’ll get as big as him and won’t be able to surf. But it's the opposite. Every day I feel lighter, stronger, and better prepared. I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself more in every session, and he provides that for me," said Italo.
The partnership between the two began in **May 2024**. After meeting at a sports supplement brand event, Italo invited the bodybuilder to act as a personal trainer for certain periods of the year. The strategy worked. Since then, Italo has won **three event titles** (Tahiti 2024, Saquarema 2024, and Abu Dhabi 2025) and reclaimed the coveted **yellow jersey**, which he had not worn in four years.
When working with Italo, the focus has been on building **strength**. Cruz is also providing **nutritional guidance** to ensure the surfer becomes leaner and lighter. With over a decade of achievements in bodybuilding, Marcelo Cruz has an extensive background as a coach. In fact, **seven of his athletes have competed in the Mr. Olympia**, one of the most prestigious bodybuilding contests in the world.
"The training I do with Italo specifically focuses on strength. Because the foundation of any sport comes from weight training, I’ve been applying basic exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses to increase his strength and enhance his performance in the water," Cruz explained.
For the **Portugal event**, Italo requested the bodybuilder’s presence at his home in **Baía Formosa, Rio Grande do Norte**. Whether at the surfer’s private gym or in the water, Cruz trained alongside Italo for four days.
"We did a **four-day training camp in Baía Formosa**, preparing for the Portugal event and the **El Salvador event (April 2-12)**, aiming for him to win both titles, accumulate as many points as possible, qualify for the Finals, and claim the world title in September. During this period, he did **three surf sessions, two weight training sessions, and one additional physical workout per day**," Cruz revealed.
Regarding the **Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion’s diet**, Cruz explained that Italo makes small adjustments as competitions approach.
"I design his diet, which is based on **eggs, whey protein, rice, tilapia, and chicken**. The menu varies depending on his schedule. During those four days in Baía Formosa, he consumed a much **higher amount of carbohydrates**, and once he traveled, we **significantly reduced** his carb intake since he'll only be surfing now. This will **lower his weight**, making him **lighter, faster, and more agile**. Italo is more than ready for the Portugal event," he concluded.
