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Q: What area of fitness are you currently
working in?
After winning the Australian IronMan BodyBlitz competition,
the bulk of my work is in training clients for 12 week transformations,
in addition to the more general fat loss, toning and building
muscle. My services are performed online (through AminoZ.com.au)
and also face-to-face (in Sydney).
Q: How did you get into the fitness
industry?
Whilst I have been holding a gym membership since early
2002, it wasn’t until late 2003 where I decided to
become involved in bodybuilding after being motivated by
my personal goals and peers. After training consistently,
I grew an immense passion for the industry, eventually going
on to win the national BodyBlitz competition. As a
result I received enormous exposure through several fitness
and bodybuilding magazines, which acted as a very effective
launch-pad to kick-start my career.
Q: Your reason for being in the fitness
industry?
The reason why I initially decided to become involved in
the industry was because I loved training for myself…so
I figured, why not take my hobby and turn it into my career? Since
then, I have never looked back because I am able to do what
I am most passionate about every day of the week.
The other real perk of the job is the fact that I can genuinely
help people in achieving their lifelong goals that they have
struggled with in the past. When you see a client transform
themselves physically and build a strong sense of self-confidence
in the process, this really gives some true value to my career. Every
success is an inspiration to me and just motivates me to
become a better personal trainer.
Finally, I love a challenge. Every person that I train
is different – therefore everyone requires a different
solution. The challenge in dealing with problems and
finding that alternative solution every single time keeps
me on my toes and loving the job.
Q: Any gripes about the fitness industry?
Oh yes…the vast amount of misleading information
that convinces unaware consumers to throw their money into
the latest fad. This is one reason why I established
AminoZ.com.au – to raise the awareness about the propaganda
that floats around the industry.
Q: Did you study any areas of exercise
or fitness?
I did study science in my university studies (Biotechnology
at UNSW). However my main source of formal education
with regards to exercise and fitness has been through FIA
(both Cert III & IV). Whilst the course was great,
the additional support through FIA provided me with a much
deeper understanding of all the topics involved. Since
then, I have attended several workshops and seminars whilst
performing a significant amount of personal research in order
to stay up-to-date with the latest findings.
Q: How important do you think it
is to update your learning in the fitness world?
It is absolutely imperative. Many text books now become
obsolete within a year with new discoveries happening all
the time. For this reason I feel that it is my responsibility
to stay up-to-date with the latest studies in order to provide
my clients with the most appropriate training and dietary
solutions.
Q: What would you like to see happen
in the industry over the next few years?
I would like to see there to be more regulation introduced
into the fitness industry. I really feel that this
should be universal – regulation of the misleading
marketing right through to more requirements being introduced
in order to achieve an official personal training certification.
I would also like to see the average consumer become more
aware of what works and what doesn’t – and why
it does or doesn’t work - rather than resorting to
the latest 5-minute makeover product. I feel that this
would also help curve the very high obesity rates in Australia.
Q: Any predictions?
I think that with the latest boom in the health & fitness
industry, awareness is (gradually) increasing – and
will continue to do so. The amount of media attention
is excellent and has really shone a light on a very important
aspect to people’s lives. As a result, I feel
that the demand for the personal trainer will increase and
we will (hopefully) be a much healthier country later down
the track.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone
wanting to learn more about fitness?
Every man and his dog has a different opinion on health
and fitness, so as a result there is a lot of misguided information
floating around. Begin by speaking to someone who has
the qualifications and experience in the industry. Read
reputable books, listen to audio CD’s and read scientific
literature. Doing a fitness course (eg. Through FIA)
is also a great way to enhance your knowledge. No matter
what your level of experience, there is always more to be
learnt.
Jay Bonaretti can be contacted at www.aminoz.com.au or jay@aminoz.com.au
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