February 23, 2010 in Articles, CLA, Supplementation by James Dawson Martin

The Benefits of CLA

CLA (conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a naturally occurring fatty acid. It is found in cheese meat and dairy products in low amounts.

CLA is one of the ‘good fats’, and at levels of 2-3 grams per day CLA can help achieve body fat loss – which studies have shown.

The one problem with CLA is that it is found in foods at very low levels that also contain a lot of saturated fat – this is the reason we supplement with a CLA product.

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STUDIES & Research:

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CLA has strong and scientific evidence to support weight loss. For many years, studies have been done on CLA to find out just how effective supplementing with it can be.

Extensive studies have shown that  CLA reduces fat mass, while increasing lean body mass. A recent study showed that in 53 healthy individuals taking 4.2g of CLA a day led to a significant 3.8% decrease in body fat compared to individuals not taking CLA!

Optimum CLA, 180 Softgels CLA Is A Naturally Occurring Nutrient That Exerts A positive Effect On Protein And Fat Metabolism!

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Impact on Weight Training

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When combined with a weight training program, CLA can be of even more benefit.

A small trial study investigated CLA on muscle development in bodybuilders consuming 7.2 grams of CLA or placebo a day for 6 weeks while completing bodybuilding multi-joint exercises.

An increase in skin fold corrected arm girth, body mass and leg press strength was seen in the group taking CLA – this was not found in the group using the placebo!

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Summary

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With proper exercise, nutrition and dedication, CLA can undoubtedly lead to an increase in fat reduction and increased lean muscle.

Remember that in order to be successful, the dosage of CLA should be around 3.4 or higher – maybe as high as 6 grams for bodybuilders and weight training men.

I will be utilizing CLA for my new workout journal – so keep checking that out!

- James

February 21, 2010 in Articles, Motivation by James Dawson Martin

Get comfortable with you!

As a trainer, I always begin by having a client discuss their goals with me. These goals can range from general fitness, athletic performance, strength, and physical appearance.

The latter, in my opinion, counts for the majority of my clients main goals.

In terms of physical appearance, some of these clients wish to morph their bodies not

just by increasing muscle mass or decreasing fat, but to actually change the shape of their muscles -width and length.

This is the mistake many people make initially.

The way our muscles are shaped – the way our chest is formed and our abs are shaped - is mostly genetic.

Some people have a wide, broad chest and others have thick less broad chests. While we can work to change this, a lot of it is genetic.

It is important that one becomes comfortable in their own skin and body before beginning a workout – that they know that they can achieve fantastic results, that they can strip away that body fat and have abs that they dreamed of..But they must realize that those abs will be their own and nobody else’s.

We are unique individuals and have separate genetics.

Coming to this conclusion and focusing on the way your own physique will look like is one of the most important factors before starting a workout program.

You will not look like ‘Brad Pitt in Fight Club’..

You will not look like ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando’..

No. You will look like yourself -

You will look like yourself with toned muscles and six pack abs -

Unique muscle. 

So take this time.. Look in the mirror.. Look at your chest and the shape of it..

Think of it being lean, think of your stomach with six pack abs, the way it will all come together.

You will make amazing results happen.

Just Make sure you visualize yourself being ripped and muscular - not another person being it for you.

You are you. You are unique.. And that is an amazing thing my friend.