CT Personal Training Success Story

A Cutting Edge "Client of the Month" Success Story:

Inspirational Story

No More "Average" Joe

Who: Joseph Solicito

Age: 42

Occupation: Sales

Goals: "To increase overall muscle strength and cardiovascular capability thus affecting positive change in my physical composition. To be able to integrate physical development into my everyday life (as opposed to something I start and stop in cycles)."

Immediate Successes: "My waist has gone down 2 sizes and my core and body strength are better than they were when I was in my 20's."

When I first met Joe, he was more less physically...well...your "Average Joe."

And I don't mean that in any sort of disrespectful way. Quite the contrary. Joe had his priorities in line. He was very much dedicated to his family and work. But for most of his adult life, he didn't participate in any true physical activity. Add to it that his nutrition wasn't great. Not horrible...but not great (he was a honey junkie!). I also get the feeling, that being he is in his car traveling a lot in a day (and the fact that he has mentioned the "great" smell and taste of McDonald's) he drove through fast food outlets more than one pursuing a healthy life style would want to.

1. Joe started with the desire to change.

2. He recognized that he would get better results with professional guidance.

3. He started researching trainers in the area.

Finding a professional was a daunting task. Joe really did his due diligence in researching where to start. "There were just so many choices. But nothing grabbed me. Actually...most of them were horrible!"

Then Joe contacted me.

My first impression off of just the initial email exchange was that I would be out of his traveling distance (I'm a good 30-40 minutes away...one way). Second, I wasn't sure I would have many time options to offer him. Although times slots open up all the time, at the time I was pretty booked up and only had a couple 5 AM time slots to offer him. Neither of these were obstacles...which spoke volumes to me of Joe's desire to commit to change.

While Joe and I sat down for our initial consultation, I thought to myself..."ok...this guy is looking to get some initial guidance and take off on his own." I thought at most Joe would last about 12 weeks. That was over a year ago!

The RESULT?

Joe has come A LONG way since we started. He truly follow my Cutting Edge programs and gets amazing results. Joe has totally transformed his physique. The immediate results (referenced in the yellow box above) included a major drop of fat, an increase in strength, lean muscle, and performance (Joe had started training in Mixed Martial Arts, too), and a need for some alteration to his wardrobe. Joe was losing inches on his waist while gaining muscle in his back (which creates that desired V-tapered look), chest, arms...heck...EVERYWHERE! And that was just after that initial 12 weeks!

"After I finished my first 12 Week program, it just felt like the beginning. I was just starting to really get a handle on things and the more results I saw, the better I got,” said Joe.

Two of Joe's greatest attributes are his desire to succeed and a "never quit" attitude.

What most people don't realize is that the results you get from working out do not come in a nice linear fashion. They come in chunks. What this means is that you won't drop a nice 1-2 lbs of fat each week or put 10 lbs on your bench press. Your body will fight you during this process. You may lose a 4-7 lbs Week 1, 1-2 lbs Week 2, another 2 lbs Week 3, then nothing for Weeks 4 and 5. In fact, your body may jump up and down a couple pounds. Then, when staying the course....BANG!!!! Your body will kickstart the process again and the weight starts coming off. This happens with fat loss, muscle gain, strength gains...etc.

The problem is most people give up out of frustration when this happens. And that's understandable. Getting results is motivating. Sweating and not seeing any chance STINKS! But those are the times you have to muscle through. And that's just what Joe did.

Joe had times when he hit that wall. There were plenty of times where his questioned his results. But he stayed the course and had reaped the rewards. I bust his chops all the time saying..."Joe, I remember when we met. You used to be doughy looking. Now look at you!"

And one of the greatest rewards? Joe has more energy for his kids and will for the rest of his life. No more limitations. No more taking 2 minutes to slowly kneel down or get up from the floor to play with the children. He is strong, he is limber, and he is able to now able to lead by example. In fact, his influence has his kids wanting to "workout like Daddy does!". What better reward than the kids looking up to Dad as a Superman.

“People often think having a personal trainer is a luxury. It really is a necessity. With Jim's Cutting Edge structure, I only needed to see him once or twice a week. He had everything so well structured and provided lots of options.”

Joe goes on to explain, “I normally complete just two Interval Cardio Sessions and three Weight Training sessions a week. An important lesson I learned about exercise was its not how long you’re in there (the gym), its what you do when you’re in there."

Finally, when I did ask Joe what has Cutting Edge Personal Training done for you?

Joe just looked squarely at me and said, “Overall, my workout regimen is something that I look forward to and therefore have integrated into my weekly routines. Through your guidance and motivation not only have have I met and surpassed some physical and mental milestones that had been roadblocks for the last 20 years, but I am now able to raise the bar for my continued growth and development. Quite frankly...It’s saved my life!!”

So what now? What' next? Who knows. The sky's the limit! From my standpoint, I can’t wait to see what Joe will become or achieve.

A Typical Day's Training

Joe trains on average four to five days per week with a combination of resistance training, cardiovascular work, and core enhancement. He typically trains with me twice a week...being the 2 most intense workouts of the whole seven days. I change his exercises every four weeks, but the basic layout stays fairly similar.

Here is a typical Upper Body Day during a previous 4 week phase of our training:

• Start with the general bodyweight warm-up circuit

• Do some specific Warm-up Sets of the first 2 exercises. Then...

1A) 2-Board Bench Press – 6 reps

• Rest 1 minute.

1B) Narrow-Grip Seated Row – 12 reps

• Rest 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

2A) DB 1-Arm Standing Shoulder Press with Palms Facing-In – 8 reps per side

• No rest.

2B) Close-grip Pull-up – 2 reps short of failure

• Rest 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

3A) DB Close-Grip Chest Press – 8 reps

• No rest.

3B) DB Rear-Deltoid Raise – 12 reps

• Rest 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

Static Stretching

Here's another typical Total Body Workout from a different 4 week phase of our training:

• Start with the general bodyweight warm-up circuit

• Do some specific Warm-up Sets of the first 2 exercises. Then...

1A) DB Split squat – 8 reps per side

• No rest.

1B) Military Press – 8 reps

• Rest 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

2A) Romanian Deadlift (RDL) – 12 reps

• No rest.

2B) Barbell Rollout – 10 reps

• Rest 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

3A) Pulldowns – 10 reps

• No rest.

3B) Calf Raise – 10 reps per side

• Rest 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

Static Stretching

Come in for Your FREE Consultation

Can you relate to Joe? Maybe you have been wanting to a Total Body Transformation. Or maybe you want that ultimate challenge in your workout. Maybe you are just looking for better health. Maybe it's all of the above. If so, and you're aren't already a Cutting Edge Client, you live close by, and you are serious about taking control of your health and physique, then make sure you take advantage of your FREE Fitness Consultation (an $89 value).

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