To begin my series on the benefits of weight training we are going to get to hear from one of the best in the fitness industry, Justin Sanchez. The interview focuses on BODYPUMP™ , his speciality and one of the fastest ways to burn calories and build and tone every muscle.
Q: What is your role with Les Mills?
Director of Trainer Development for Fitmarc, South Central Distributor of Les Mills. National Trainer for Les Mills North America
Q: What does your work as the Director of Trainer Development involve?
As Director of Trainer Development, my main responsibilities are Training and Development of everyone from new instructors to Les Mills assessors to Fitmarc staff members.
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself – your education, interests, past work experiences?
I have spent half of my life in the fitness industry. My career began in San Luis Obispo, California as I began teaching Group Fitness as a way to get a free gym membership. By 1994 I was presenting Step Choreography workshops for the American Council on Exercise and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. I expanded my profession to include Personal Training and by 1997 had my own Fitness Consultancy in Los Angeles where I trained a high-profile clientele of actors, models and musicians, including legendary rocker Rod Stewart, actor and model Rachel Hunter, and actor Kelly Van Halen. I also designed the private home gym in Rod Stewart’s Beverly Hills Estate. In 1997, I was introduced to Les Mills group fitness programs and became a National Trainer for the North American Les Mills Agency where I spent 5 years training Les Mills instructors throughout the USA and Canada. I was introduced to the South East Asian fitness market in 2003 and fell in love with the people and culture while living and working there. I took posts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a National Group Fitness Manager and Les Mills Australia Trainer, and in Hong Kong as a Group Fitness Managing Consultant and Master Trainer/Presenter for Les Mills Hong Kong.
Q: What attracted you specifically to BODYPUMP™?
The incredible physical results that came in a very short time from such a user-friendly workout. I felt successful right from the start and that was important to me.
Q: Who is BODYPUMP™ for?
Anyone who is interested in training in a group with simple, effective moves put together into a fantastic workout.
Q: What makes BODYPUMP unique to all the other fitness programs out there? And why is it important? What makes it one-of- a kind instead of one-of-many?
What makes it unique is the ability for a participant to feel successful right from the start, and studies show when they feel successful; there is a better chance the participant will adhere to a fitness/wellness program long-term. What makes it one-of-a-kind is the power of the brand being upheld by over 60,000 teachers in over 80 countries around the globe. The statistics speak volumes of the ability to deliver results.
Q: How often would you suggest taking BODYPUMP™?
Newcomers who are just getting started with BODYPUMP should start out with 2 classes per week. Mix that in with a couple days of cardio like BODYATTACK and one other day of exercise that they enjoy and the participant will see some awesome results.
Q: What’s one of your favorite success stories of a participant who took (or is currently taking) BODYPUMP consistently?
A lady named Natalie was over 80 lbs. overweight. She came into BP class and started in the back row. Over several months, she became more confident, started shedding the weight and living better. She told me her story as I was training her to teach BP. She has gone on to get trained in 3 Les Mills programs and has a renewed outlook on life that she now shares with others.
Q: What is your personal workout regimen?
Um, crazy…not for the average person. I mix it up a lot. I teach 4 LM classes a week + classes during LM trainings on the weekend. MMA training for 1 -2 hours a week. Heavy weight training 4 times a week. Functional training 1 – 2 hours a week (mirror work, kicking drills, suspension training). If you are just starting, I don’t recommend this sort of schedule. Too much too soon. Ease into it by doing what makes you feel good and find something you enjoy. I think that is the secret to longevity.
More about Justin:
Justin was featured in the Les Mills “Heroes” Marketing Campaign and as a guest presenter on the Les Mills BODYCOMBAT 38 educational DVD. Justin is currently a National Trainer and the Director of Trainer Development for Fitmarc, parent company of Les Mills South Central. Since 1991, Justin has touched lives through fitness on five continents, with his ultimate goal being to inspire as many people as possible through his love of fitness.
107 Responses to “Interview With Justin Sanchez”
Justin has completely inspired me to excel to new heights. I haven’t Certified in the Body Pump program yet, but i trained in Body Combat with him in June 09. Since, I have not stopped. I don’t no what else to say, but, Justin is by a long shot, my biggest inspiration to achieve goals for myself and to push and inspire others to do the same.
What can i say,,, excellent instructor and even i don’t have the pleasure to meet him you can tell how much passion he has for what he doing and that’s something inspiring for the rest of us.
Turn it up J !!!!
Since becoming involved with Body Pump a couple years ago, I have continually been impressed and inspired by the programming Les Mills presents and the excellence they achieve. I was not surprised when I met Justin at Body Pump training when I took it in Austin, Tx. He is an inspiring and enthusiastically encouraging individual that in every way personifies the Les Mills doctrine.
Justin certified me to teach Bodypump two years ago. He is incredibly motivating, sincere, and goal-oriented. And he’s just a really nice guy. By the end of the weekend he was hugging us all and we felt like we’d known him forever. That weekend, with his help, we achieved things we had no idea we could do. It was awesome! Everything he says about Bodypump is true. 2 years later (and a modified diet) Bodypump has changed the shape of my body and I am 30 lbs lighter.
Thanks Justin! And Thanks Bodypump!
Justin was invited to my country, Colombia south america, as super quaterly workshop Les Mills presenter in 2008. He really inspired our customers including instructors, dierctors, and specially Les Mills trainer team.
thanks to his work, I been in my work more creative and motivated as Training Manager in Colombia.
thanks J for your work around the world
R.
I had the pleasure of being trained by Justin during my Body Pump class, and was in AWE! First, here was the guy from the poster around the gym greeting me so humbly. He taught us all so much in 3 short days. I could have gone for days learning more! He is awesome and inspiring, and I plan on training in more Les Mills programs!
We are so fortunate to have Justin as part of our FitMarc team! Not only is he an incredible trainer, he’s smart and computer savvy to boot. Marry all that with humility and that sums him up. Keep changing people’s lives J – that is what makes you so special.