Next Level Personal Trainer — Personal Training San Diego | Figure & Bikini Competition Prep

December 21, 2012

Thumbnail image for Bikini Competition Dieting: Why Stevia Powder “Hidden” Sugars Don’t Matter

Bikini Competition Dieting: Why Stevia Powder “Hidden” Sugars Don’t Matter

Are you a Bikini Competitor wondering about “hidden” sugars in stevia powders? Before I even start, I want to show you just how NOT hidden these sugars are: As you can see, if you’re reading your nutrition labels like any bikini competitor who is preparing to show her stuff to an audience who IS [...]

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December 11, 2012

Thumbnail image for Bikini Competition Dieting: Building your Metabolism

Bikini Competition Dieting: Building your Metabolism

I’ve decided to put together a basic, easy to follow guide for bikini competitors looking to get the most out of their diets, and overall training program. I can’t possibly explain exactly what I do, since its different for every client, but there are some commonalities amongst many of the programs I put together and [...]

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November 24, 2012

Thumbnail image for Jess Sicoly Turns Pro after 8 weeks with NLPT!

Jess Sicoly Turns Pro after 8 weeks with NLPT!

Jess and I began working together about 8 weeks prior to back to back shows (OPA Winston Invitational, Coburg, Ontario, October 20 2012 & Fitness STAR Model Search World Championships, Toronto Ontario, Oct 21 2012). She had previously competed in Figure (placed 2nd and 4th) in 2009 and Athletic Fitness Model Division (2nd place) in [...]

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July 1, 2012

Thumbnail image for Caitlyn Pyke gains 9lbs in 6 weeks and qualifies for Canadian Nationals: Canada’s IFBB Pro Qualifier!

Caitlyn Pyke gains 9lbs in 6 weeks and qualifies for Canadian Nationals: Canada’s IFBB Pro Qualifier!

This is a little late, but I thought since I’m separating myself from Facebook at least temporarily, I would post our most recent champion’s progress and bikini contest prep photos here (this will auto-post to facebook too). For those of you not part of the 16% facebook deemed worthy of seeing these inspirational photos, [...]

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May 28, 2012

Thumbnail image for Figure and Bikini Contest Prep Guide to Gas and Bloating

Figure and Bikini Contest Prep Guide to Gas and Bloating

Just because its “clean” when you eat it doesn’t mean it’s going to be clean coming out the other end. That’s what I should have named this article. But seriously, it’s not uncommon when suddenly moving from the typical American diet to the average bikini contest prep diet to experience some gas/bloating. I think some [...]

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April 26, 2012

Thumbnail image for Refeeds for Figure and Bikini Prep?

Refeeds for Figure and Bikini Prep?

See if this scenario sounds familiar: Your figure or bikini coach has had you dieting pretty hard and nonstop for weeks. You made some good progress at first, strength/performance in the gym was okay for a while, energy throughout the day wasn’t too terrible all things considered, and you still liked asparagus. Then as the [...]

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April 11, 2012

Thumbnail image for 5 Keys to Bikini Competition Glutes

5 Keys to Bikini Competition Glutes

When I say bikini competition glutes…I mean the kind that deserve to win, not the loose, jiggly ones I see scoring trophies at amateur level competitions these days. Do you want glutes that look tight while you’re walking onstage or do you want to jiggle around up there until you’re fully flexed? Because I’m still [...]

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March 28, 2012

Thumbnail image for Carb Cycling for Bikini and Figure Competitors Part 3: Setting up a Carb Cycle

Carb Cycling for Bikini and Figure Competitors Part 3: Setting up a Carb Cycle

In this final installment, I’m going to take you through the steps of setting up a carb cycle for figure or bikini competition. As mentioned in Part 2, I don’t really see the point in carb cycling much sooner than about 6 weeks or so out from a contest, although I have occasionally used it [...]

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January 2, 2012

Thumbnail image for Jennifer Bock Wins Miss Swimsuit USA International!

Jennifer Bock Wins Miss Swimsuit USA International!

I’m very proud to announce our latest Next Level success story! Jennifer Bock was just crowned Miss Swimsuit USA International, beating out 55 other high level contestants from all over the world! We’re working on an interview which we hope to have up this week, but I thought I’d post a few photos from her [...]

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November 7, 2011

Thumbnail image for Carb Cycling for Bikini Competitors Part 2

Carb Cycling for Bikini Competitors Part 2

Okay I think I’m probably about 2-3 weeks late writing part 2 of Carb Cycling for Bikini Competitors, but I re-checked and google still has little to offer on the subject. Not that its google’s fault. I love google. So I realized after re-reading part 1 that I never really bothered to explain what Carb [...]

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October 8, 2011

Thumbnail image for Carb Cycling for Bikini Competitors: Part 1

Carb Cycling for Bikini Competitors: Part 1

Okay, looks like I’m finally fired up enough about something that I may have to write my first blog post in 5 months. Every once in a while I like to pretend I’m a bikini competitor (this isn’t going where you think it is…get your head out of the gutter) looking for relevant contest prep [...]

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March 25, 2011

Thumbnail image for Belles of Steel Spotlight: Kayla Kowalski

Belles of Steel Spotlight: Kayla Kowalski

So the guy who was just blogging about how silly/cliche all the before and afters/testimonials have become…and how actual substance seems to take a backseat to marketing is going to break his own rule. But instead of just throwing up a testimonial and letting you wonder if the client really exists, or if they were paid for their words, I’m [...]

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December 11, 2010

Thumbnail image for Figure and Bikini Competitor Q&A: Initial Weight Gain With Strength Training

Figure and Bikini Competitor Q&A: Initial Weight Gain With Strength Training

Q: I just switched to lifting heavier weights a few days ago. Why am I a pound heavier? A:This is a question many figure and bikini competitors have asked after beginning a traditional strength training (i.e. lift a relatively heavy weight for several reps, rest 60 seconds, repeat until muscle group is toast) program either [...]

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September 18, 2010

Thumbnail image for Figure Competitors: 5 Reasons NOT to Cut Sodium!

Figure Competitors: 5 Reasons NOT to Cut Sodium!

While I think most figure competitors and contest prep coaches have come a long way with regard to pre-contest depleting or “drying out” practices, there still seems to be a lot of confusion regarding sodium manipulation. I’ve intentionally left bikini competition out of this post, since depleting is completely pointless, and actually a bad idea [...]

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August 29, 2010

Thumbnail image for 3 ways to make your figure and bikini prep better (and easier)

3 ways to make your figure and bikini prep better (and easier)

As a San Diego Personal Trainer to figure and bikini competitors, models, athletes and women wanting to get into peak shape, I’m constantly asked variations of one specific question: What are the secrets to bikini and figure competition prep? Given the understanding we currently have of how the body responds to diet and exercise, combined [...]

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