Michael Giovanni Interview
- What all do you have going on this year Michael? Can you tell us more about your part in the HumanFit Project?ย Who are a few of the clients you will be keeping busy this year?
This year is going to be a busy one, I have been training multiples of mma fighters that have title contentions such as UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum fighting for the heavyweight title.
Those are the clients that really keep me busy and keep me on my toes, you got to be prepared and be innovated with them, they expect top quality workouts & programs as I do in their effort in them as well.
I also have my usual clients that keep me busy year round, not to mention the clients that come in town for only part of the year such guys like The Game, Travis Barker & Ochocinco.
I also have linked up and become a sponsor athlete with Nutrabolics Supplements which I am super excited about. We should be doing tons of events & signings worldwide this year.
- How is your training program more focused for the elite athlete than others that are available?
Well training an athlete is more challenging and stressful then a normal client, but it’s what I love most. It allows me to put 100% of my knowledge & experience into it.
It’s a daily test to put the proper workouts together and formulate a program based on their specific sport and also their personal goals.
Anything and everything with an athlete is specific to the sport and the position he or her plays which is vastly different for everyone.
Best thing to remember is they expect results, keep the workouts hard & interesting, and lastly the most important is injury free.
- You talk about peaking at the right time being important in your training regimen. I’m curious at to what that means exactly, and is the difference great enough in some people, that some should be working out in the morning, while others would be better off in the evening? What does finding someone’s peak entail?
Peaking at the right time is more for being in best possible shape at a specific time for a specific event. It is general only for a athlete.
And how we do that is having the proper periodization cycle in their training program which means your program is structured based on the athletes needs and goals and according to how much time you have to do that in.
For example for a mma fighter, most are in great shape already but usually have a 4 month notice before a fight, so we formulate a training camp which is about 12 weeks long, from there we structure what basic areas we cover until the fight, as time progresses we change from strength/power phase to functional phase to cardiovascular/muscular endurance phase. Usually if timed right we peak at the end of the last phase. When you been around it enough you know when your client is peaked, they are strong & have great stamina. It’s tough with a fighter though, you have many obstacles such as weight cuts, injuries, 2-3 workouts a day morning and night, it can be easy to overtrain or have malnutrition.
- When should a guy be more focused on lifting weights and when should he spent more time with bodyweight/conditioning training? What are the benefits to each approach?
This all depends on his specific goals. Do want size & strength or do you want to be conditioned & chiseled.
Lifting weights should be in everyone’s program regardless of their goal. It’s a staple in fitness. It will help you gain size, strength, and can lean you out, it’s all on how you do it. As far as conditioning you would use this for increasing your endurance and losing some body fat, but of course with a good healthy diet as well.
- What is your best transformation story that you’ve been a part of so far?ย Do you have any pics to go along with it?
The best transformation story I have is from a lady I have trained for about 2 years. She has lost about 120lbs! Has shrunk multiples of dress sizes, added some muscle & greatly improved her health! I am so proud of her daily hard work and dedication to improve her body, mind and soul. Check out the amazing photos!
- What do a lot of guys get wrong at the gym? On other words, what are some of the worst things that most guys are guilty of when it comes to their routine?
The worst things I see is guys skip training legs and only concentrate on their upper body! Did you forget that legs are half your body!
Another one is guys expecting results so quickly, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t expect a chiseled muscular physique in a month. Expect it in years with proper training and nutrition.
- Every elite athlete knows the pain of setback. What is your best advice to staying injury free while working at your max?
My best advice is paying attention to your own body. You know your limits and pay attention to them, if you need a rest day take it or don’t feel comfortable with certain movements, drills or plays lay off of them.
Lastly take the precautions of taking care of yourself in the recovery aspect, such as proper nutrition, stretching, massages, chiropractor visits, doctor visits, blood work, supplements. All will have an effect over time on your body and staying/preventing any injuries.
- ‘Bulking up’ is a term I often hear among guys talking at the gym. What are a few tips you can offer to build muscle without gaining too much excess fat?
When bulking up expect a lot of weight gain, not all will be muscle. It will be body fat and water retention as well. It is what it is. Sometimes you have to sacrifice to get size before you can diet to lean out.
You can always try to eat a lot of calories with clean healthy food but that can be hard when healthy food isn’t as caloric as other foods. But this is your best bet to keep fatty weight gain from increasing. Downside is you won’t get as much muscle.
You just have to decide which route is better for you.
- Do you recommend any supplements, or do you think that an athlete can get most everything he needs through a regular daily diet of natural food sources?
I believe that you need to depend on food to supply your energy. But there are a couple supplements I recommend to add to your arsenal. Protein powder, pre workout, Creatine amino acids and of course multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin c.
- What are three things that every guy should know, according to Michael? (and these can be on any topic you like; does not just have to be fitness)
1) Dress well
2) Be confident
3) You only live once, so don’t take rejection to heart, if you work hard enough and want to succeed you will.
We would also like to include a video featuring some of your work, and wanted to ask if you preferred either the Jesse Jane or Kenda Perez workout from your Youtube channel, or perhaps a different one entirely?
Jesse jane one is fine (small note she isn’t my girlfriend anymore so don’t mention it) but the video is fine.
Biography
I ownย GiovanniTraining.com. An Elite Personal Training, and Strength & Conditioning Service in Orange County and Los Angeles County that provides knowledge and experience to get you real results.
I have worked with many high profile clients such as professional and amateur athletes, celebrities, doctors, CEOโs, realtors, etc. Over the years they have trusted me to give them direction in their personal health and well being. I have grown tremendously through providing real results and I can do the same for you.
My educational background and experience is of excellence. Receiving my Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology Fitness and Masters of Science Degree in Kinesiology Sports Fitness at California State University Long Beach as well as Certifying in Strength and Conditioning (CSCS) credential. I have been currently personal training clients in Orange County and Los Angeles County for over ten years at private gyms, homes, at the beach or wherever my clients enjoy. Specializing in training anybody who wants to make a change in their life!
Contact Info
Michael Giovanni Rivera Bs,Ms,CsCs
