Words to live by:

“Work like the whole world is watching, dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening, love like you have never been hurt, live like it’s heaven on earth.”

I greatly appreciate all the comments, questions and suggestions you have been sending including the new “Ask a Trainer” section. I am going to try a new format with the FitBits to cover more ground. In this issue I’ll have (1) supplements, (2) business tips, (3) training tips and (4) IFPA update on the “Fitness-by-the-Bay” Conference. Let me know how you like this new format.

(1)   Glutamine has become the most talked about amino acid (AA) in the body building community. Glutamine is the most abundant “free” AA in the body. It is found in higher concentration than other AA in vital tissues including muscle, brain, immune cells and intestinal mucosa cells. In muscle, the concentration of free glutamine appears to influence whether muscle will be broken down (catabolism – low glutamine content) or built-up (anabolism – high glutamine content). The reason is that when the catabolic hormone cortisol attaches to its receptor, it stimulates an enzyme called glutamine synthetase, to break down muscle tissue to release glutamine. The end result is that you lose muscle mass. Maintaining high blood levels of glutamine inactivates glutamine synthetase so your body does not tear down muscle tissue. (More on glutamine in next issue).

(2)   Business tip: ask for referrals, the best and fastest way to grow your business. Are you afraid you're going to “offend” your clients, friends and associates? Then try this: “Hey Joe, can I ask you for a favor? I need your help with something, as you know I’m a very good trainer, but unfortunately for me, I’m a lousy salesperson. I really hate selling! I’d much rather focus my energy on becoming the best trainer I can be and doing the best job I can for my clients. Do you have any friends, family or associates that you could recommend me and my services to? I really appreciate your help.”

Unless you’re dealing with the rudest, unkind, unhelpful people in the world, your people are going to help you.

(3)   Training tip. For those of you asking questions about “plateaus” with legs. For the upper leg, the world’s greatest exercise is squats, if you are squatted-out, then the world’s greatest thigh exercise (in the non-weight lifting category) is sprinting! Now, please don’t take your client out for 3 sets of 10 at 100 yards at 100% intensity. Remember GPO and work your way up. Try 5 reps at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90% of MAX the first work-out and gradually, progressively increase load, volume and intensity. Warning! Make sure sprinting fits your client’s goals and level of conditioning.

If you’re weak on sprinting techniques, I’ll be putting an article covering techniques on the IFPA website within the week to answer that problem. I’m also planning on presenting a special session at the “Fitness-by-the-Bay” Conference to answer all your questions on sprinting techniques. I’ll be teaching you the same techniques I use to improve sprint times at the IFPA Tennis & Fitness Academy. Every athlete I have trained at the academy has improved their 20 yard dash time by 25% or more in 3 months or less and I’ll teach you how at the Conference.

Sincerely,

James T. Bell, M.S., IFPA President