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James T. Bell, PhDc.
IFPA President & Founder
 
Ph.D. Candidate / M.S., Exercise Physiology / M.B.A. / B.S., Engineering
 
"When you learn the practical principles essential to fitness training, and when you learn to get your desired results, you become committed to leading a healthy lifestyle.  That's our primary interest-helping everyone lead a healthy lifestyle."
 
James T. Bell is the founder and president of the International Fitness Professionals Association, IFPA. Mr. Bell has personally trained and coached over five thousand individuals ranging from elite world class athletes to the severely handicapped. Some of the noted fitness stars and models Jim has trained include: Christian Boeving, Mike O'Hearn, Leeann Tweeden, Jennifer Goodwin, Carol Gow, Paige Layton, Keelin Kurnick, Michele Jean Philips, Shelly Cosner, Katy Rickman, and Michele Sharpe. Jim has also trained 3 time National Karate Champion Robert Fletcher, undefeated World Full Contact Karate Champion, Terry Giles, and members of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling and Weightlifting Teams.
 
Mr. Bell's experiences as a health club manager, personal trainer, gymnastics coach, Air Force Officer, stock broker, and investment banker bring a unique and unparalleled blend of education, experience, and business savvy to the world of fitness. He is the co-author of the IFPA's The Book on Personal Training, The Book on Sports Nutrition, and The Secrets of Weight Training (in press). Jim has written fitness articles for numerous magazines throughout the country including articles in Muscle and Fitness. And, Mr. Bell is the featured expert and co-writer of the IFPA's training video series including the videos: Personal Fitness Training, Understanding Sports Nutrition, Advanced Personal Training, and Business and Fitness.
An international lecturer and fitness expert, Mr. Bell was selected as the lead speaker on exercise physiology and sports nutrition at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Coaches College at the University of Minnesota in the summer of 1996 and again in 1998 at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. The Coaches College works hard to ensure that it maintains a variety of speakers and topics from world experts. For this reason, it is rare at best that a speaker be invited to return. Mr. Bell is only one of three speakers (out of 200 total speakers that have presented to the college) ever selected to return to the Olympic Coaches College for a second presentation.

Recently Mr. Bell has been honored for his commitment and expertise on fitness, health and nutrition by being appointed to Governor Bushs: Governors Task Force on the Obesity Epidemic.

Mr. Bell was named 2003 Businessman of the Year by the National Congressional Committees Business Advisory Council.